Remote Sensing        INOE

The STAR project no 55/2013, CARESSE has successfully come to its end. The entire activity is presented in the Final Scientific and Technical Report.

The overall objective of phase 5  was to strengthen the cooperation with the European Space Agency as well as with partners from other research institutions, academia and industry with interests in the field of remote sensing, to develop new competencies relevant to ESA Earth observation programs and, to expand the Centre’s expertise towards the space related programme.

This stage had the following specific objective the adjustment of CARESSE’s activities to the specific requirements of the European Space Agency and to strengthen international cooperation.

Objectives for Phase 3: a) development, organization and harmonization of scientific and technological capacities in order to use remote sensing techniques for space applications and b) adaptation to the specific requirements of the European Space Agency and consolidation of international collaborations.

Objectives for Phase 2 achieved: a) Upgraded atmospheric remote sensing infrastructure;  b) Reinforced human resource; c) Master/Bachelor and PhD thesis

Dissemination represents a key element for optimizing the value of CARESSE and strenghten its impact. Dissemination activities are intended to spread excellence and raise interest of local and international public and private stakeholders, focusing on the results towards the industry and the research community, as well as towards policy makers and the public at large.

Objectives for Phase 1 achieved: a) Strenghten the collaboration between Romanian institutions involved in Earth Science; b) Development of a medium-term plan for CARESSE

The KoM was organized at the Romanian Atmospheric 3D research Observatory, on 13 December 2013. A follow-up with enlarged participation was organized within the Romanian Space Week 2014, at INCAS, Bucharest, on 15 May 2014. The main purpose was to discuss current status and future strategies for the development of the centre, in the same time a supersite of the national network for remote sensing.

Steering Committee of the Center for Atmospheric remote sensing and Earth observation from space (CARESEE) consists of specialists from Romania and abroad, with extensive work related to the study of the atmosphere, environmental engineering and earth observation from space: Dr. Bojan R. Bojkov, Dr. Michel Van Roozendael, Dr. Vassilis Amiridis, Dr. George Georgousis, Dorinel Visoiu, Dr. Viorel Vulturescu, Prof. Dr. Sabina Stefan, Prof. dr. Gheorghe Marmureanu, Dr. Ion Sorin Zgura, Prof. Dr. Ing. Alexandru Ozunu

CARESSE represents an initiative to concentrate and organize existing capacities for atmospheric remote sensing in Romania, in order to become a relevant and competent partner for ESA’s EO missions. 

The SWOT analysis pointed out some issues related to the scientific research scenario. Analysis shows that high-quality scientific outputs could be produced in the near future, despite the external threats related to e.g. funds fluctuations. CARESSES’s action plan involves a series of measures to optimize future development of the remote sensing activities in INOE.

The mission of this centre would be to concentrate existing capacities (from research, academia, and private sector) in order to consolidate and diversify the Romanian participation to space programs (e.g. development of inversion algorithms and data processing software, validation of atmospheric composition satellite products, participation to CAL/VAL campaigns, etc.), as well as to identify new niches in space application of the ground-based atmospheric remote sensing data.

IGACOS recommendations for GEOSS only consider long-duration integrated observations, focusing on operational systems providing continuity and reliability. To preserve its status as an atmospheric remote sensing supersite, RADO has therefore to ensure a long-duration, continuous operation. Moreover, it has to continuously improve its measurement techniques and data handling procedures, to implement quality assurance programs, and to keep contact with its national and international partners and stakeholders. 

In the first decade of the 21st century, a revolution is taking place in the approach to manage and use global Earth observations coupled with weather and climate models to address societal needs.  A combination of surface-based (in situ and remote sensing), sub-orbital (aircraft and balloons), and satellite observations are needed. Efforts are being made to implement global observational systems, for example through the Integrated Global Observing Strategy (IGOS), and the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS).