The domain of high-resolution and very high-resolution optical sensors and Synthetic Aperture Radars (SAR) has dramatically increased. Dependable satellites providing accurate and reliable measurements are key to essential urgent activities such as climate change monitoring. As Earth Observation (EO) system architect in Europe, the European Space Agency (ESA) needs to assess the quality and the suitability of the EO data provided by its own satellites and to promote awareness about the importance of assessing EO data quality provided by other missions, e.g. in the commercial and New Space sector. Also, this would allow establishing a dialog with the EO data mission providers in order to improve the overall coherence of the EO system and data interoperability. Furthermore, some of these missions are potential candidates to become ESA Third Party Missions (TPM), pending ESA selection. Calibration/Validation (Cal/Val) activities are fundamental to assess the quality of EO satellite data, requiring dedicated measurements taken from established reference Cal/Val sites and networks. However, Cal/Val sites are often customized to the operator's needs, with little to no flexibility. Therefore, ESA is currently willing to explore the new idea of an open and pioneering reference site, named as Cal/Val Park. The concept is currently under investigation and is meant to be a multi-Agency cooperation.

The anisotropy of land surfaces reflectance of greatly impacts the acquisition and analysis of satellite images. Normalization methods using semi empirical kernel-driven models commonly remove these directional effects. Here, we present a physically-based approach to assess the accuracy of 2 normalization methods of Sentinel-2 (S2) and 3 (S3) images. A ReBeLS-based process fits the parameters of a kernel-driven model with S3 and S2 images simulated by the DART RT model in agricultural and urban areas. Here, normalization methods (c-factor, NDVI-disaggregation) hardly validate their assumptions: surface type and orientation have a great influence. We show the potential of RT models to assess and improve normalization methods.

In the recent years, the Earth observation (EO) capacity from space has grown with the multiplication of both institutional and commercial missions; in particular the domain of high-resolution optical sensors and SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) has dramatically increased. The “NewSpace players” are considered in full in the evolution of the EO international strategy. In this context, ESA and NASA put in place several activities that aim at assessing the data coming from these new missions, like the ESA’ s Earthnet Data Assessment Pilot (EDAP) project and the NASA's Commercial Smallsat Data Acquisition (CSDA) Program. Given the initial success of both of these activities and the multiplication of new missions in the context of the NewSpace, ESA and NASA are proposing to extend these activities with a coordinated approach and the definition of joint guidelines for data quality assessment.

Presented is a new quality assurance (QA) framework for Earth Observation missions that has been developed as a joint initiative between ESA and NASA. It aims ensure the rigorous assessment of all aspects of relevant aspects of mission quality, verifying claimed mission performance and, where applicable, reviewing the extent to which the mission follows community best practice in a manner that is “fit for purpose”. The QA framework has potential for more general use in both institutional and commercial Earth Observation – helping mission providers to understand the information their users' needs and empowering users to make informed decisions about which data is fit for their purpose.

Over the past several years Analysis Ready Data has been a major focus for the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS). The CEOS Analysis Ready Data concept within the context of Land started in 2015 and has been led by the CEOS Land Surface Imaging Virtual Constellation (LSI-VC) community. LSI-VC has developed the definition that CEOS uses for ARD for Land and the overall framework [1]. The CEOS ARD definition identifies that the major benefit of ARD lies in enabling a broad community of non-remote sensing experts to better use CEOS data; and in increasing the interoperability of products through space and time as a foundation for `Big Data' analyses, future data architectures and the application of AI (artificial intelligence and machine learning) methods. LSI-VC also took the responsibility to coordinate the development of the Product Family Specifications (PFS). An important step in the CARD specification approach is that it is not prescriptive with regard to the data processing approach. This recognises that there are generally multiple approaches and that these will evolve through time. Four PFS have been endorsed by the CEOS LSI-VC community during 2019/2020. These endorsements represent the conclusion of over two years of work since the agreement of the CEOS ARD definition & framework at CEOS Plenary in 2016. The endorsed specifications contain inputs from experts around the world and it demonstrates the resolution of various points of view. It also shows the emerging acceptance of the concept of Analysis Ready Data and the value proposition of the CEOS ARD. As the increase of available EO data and processing platforms offer an unprecedented choice for the users, the need for harmonized data is growing [2]. Thus, over the past few years, there has been an increased interest from the private sector in the CEOS ARD initiative as well, and the expectation is that the availability of CEOS ARD datasets from both institutional and private data providers will increase in the coming years. To address the CEOS ARD long-term view and to ensure a consensus between players is achieved, the CEOS ARD strategy was developed in 2019. The strategy recognises that the private industry has different roles to play within the CEOS ARD initiative such as data users, data providers, data hosts or as providers of processing chains to produce data that meet CEOS ARD specifications. The strategy is also focused on the need, prioritization and continuity of CEOS ARD PFS development including the development of ARD specifications for other thematic areas such as ocean and atmosphere. This paper intends to give an update on the current CEOS ARD for Land accomplishments, and what activities are envisaged for the near future.

Analysis Ready Data (ARD) products are enabling users to get first hand satellite data that are `ready to use' for a wide range of applications, including time-series analysis and the way forward to multi-sensor interoperability. The Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS) is leading the CEOS Analysis Ready Data for Land (CARD4L) initiative. The rationale behind this initiative is to enable users to access products that have been already processed to a certain level. This will allow users to carry out immediate analysis on the data and to address a variety of applications without the extra time and cost that is associated with the data pre-processing steps. The aim of the proposed paper is to give an overview on the work already carried out by the CEOS community on the CARD4L framework, to introduce the processes and steps that Earth Observation (EO) data providers should undertake to have a CARD4L level product as well as the planned steps that CEOS LSIVC will be undertaking to accomplish the CARD4L initiative.

For many land monitoring applications using remote sensing, lack of data is no longer an issue, as it may have been in the past. Programs, such as Copernicus by the European Commission and the Landsat Missions by the United States Geological Survey, have adopted systematic acquisition strategies, and distribute vast amounts of satellite data under open licenses. In parallel, storage and computing capability have evolved to make it cost-effective and practical to process and analyze these data at various scales. Data architecture solutions, such as the Open Data Cube (ODC) and the Copernicus Data and Information Access Services (DIAS), are providing frameworks that make [scientific] analysis much simpler and straightforward. However, enabling non-expert users without the expertise and/or computation resources to pre-process and store low-level data products in order to exploit these capabilities, has proven more challenging. The Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS1) is working to address this challenge through the CEOS Analysis Ready Data for Land (CARD4L) initiative [1]. CARD4 L is foreseen to enable users to access satellite data products that are `ready to use' for a wide range of land applications. Moreover, CARD4L aims to enable non-expert users access to products that have been processed `far enough' to be suitable for immediate analysis for a range of applications, while ensuring they are not too specific to only be used for particular topics or areas. CARD4L will be an important enabler of the Open Data Cube (ODC) initiative [2]. Through CARD4L, users will be able to easily locate products that are suitable for ingestion into Data Cubes [3], and will have confidence that these different CARD4 L products will limit as far as possible barriers to interoperability.

The Copernicus Programme, being Europe's Earth Observation and Environment Monitoring Programme led by the European Union, aims to provide, on a sustainable basis, reliable and timely services related to environmental and security issues. The Copernicus Programme uses multiple source data and comprises a service component, a space infrastructure component and an in-situ component. The objective of the Copernicus Space Component (CSC) Programme is to fulfil the space-based observation requirements in response to European policy priorities with a particular emphasis on the Copernicus core services as identified by the European Commission. It aims at developing a fully operational capability in view of feeding Copernicus services with satellite data. The CSC Programme also aims at the operational provision of satellite data for other European and national services. The main data source for the CSC Programme are the Sentinels, dedicated missions providing continuity to past or present data sets. In addition, the CSC Programme covers the development and operations of a Data Access Layer, the Coordinated Data access System (CDS), aiming at providing Copernicus Services also with satellite data from other missions (by ESA, National, EUMETSAT and other Third Party Missions) that are of relevance to the overall space component of Copernicus.

The Copernicus Programme, being Europe's Earth Observation and Monitoring Programme led by the European Union, aims to provide, on a sustainable basis, reliable and timely services related to environmental and security issues. The Copernicus Programme uses multiple source data and comprises a service component, a space infrastructure component and an in-situ component. The objective of the Copernicus Space Component (CSC) Programme is to fulfil the space-based observation requirements in response to European policy priorities with a particular emphasis on the Copernicus core services as identified by the Commission. It aims at developing a fully operational capability in view of feeding Copernicus services with satellite data. The CSC Programme also aims at the operational provision of satellite data for other European and national services. The main data source for the CSC Programme are the Sentinels, dedicated missions providing continuity to past or present data sets. In addition, the CSC Programme covers the development and operations of a Data Access Layer, the Coordinated Data System (CDS), aiming at providing Copernicus Services with satellite data from other than Sentinel missions (ESA, National, EUMETSAT and other Third Party Missions) of relevance to the overall space component of Copernicus.

The series of Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) Sentinel satellites will continue and extend the European heritage of ENVISAT to provide data to numerous user communities. Sentinel-3 is being developed to support GMES Ocean and global Land monitoring services. Two Sentinel-3 satellites are in development with a first launch in 2014 and the second satellite expected approximately 18 months after the first. This paper provides an overview of the Sentinel-3 Mission.

The Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS) was launched on January 24, 2006, by a Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) H-IIA launcher. It carries three remote-sensing sensors: 1) the Advanced Visible and Near-Infrared Radiometer type 2 (AVNIR-2); 2) the Panchromatic Remote-Sensing Instrument for Stereo Mapping (PRISM); and 3) the Phased-Array type L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (PALSAR). Within the framework of ALOS Data European Node, as part of the European Space Agency (ESA), the European Space Research Institute worked alongside JAXA to provide contributions to the ALOS commissioning phase plan. This paper summarizes the strategy that was adopted by ESA to define and implement a data verification plan for missions operated by external agencies; these missions are classified by the ESA as third-party missions. The ESA was supported in the design and execution of this plan by GAEL Consultant. The verification of ALOS optical data from PRISM and AVNIR-2 sensors was initiated 4 months after satellite launch, and a team of principal investigators assembled to provide technical expertise. This paper includes a description of the verification plan and summarizes the methodologies that were used for radiometric, geometric, and image quality assessment. The successful completion of the commissioning phase has led to the sensors being declared fit for operations. The consolidated measurements indicate that the radiometric calibration of the AVNIR-2 sensor is stable and agrees with the Landsat-7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus and the Envisat MEdium-Resolution Imaging Spectrometer calibration. The geometrical accuracy of PRISM and AVNIR-2 products improved significantly and remains under control. The PRISM modulation transfer function is monitored for improved characterization.

MERIS Level 1 and Level 2 water products will be improved in the 3rdMERIS reprocessing which is planned to take place before the end of 2009. The instrument radiometric degradation model will be updated. Improvements to the atmospheric correction in both case 1 and case 2 waters will be implemented. A vicarious adjustment strategy to remove residual biases in the Level 2 marine signals will be put in place. In addition, a cloud screening scheme with improved detection capabilities will improve the cirrus detection capability. In parallel, long term algorithmic improvements are being pursued and are partially covered by three exploratory ongoing studies. The first study addresses the limitation of the current MERIS atmospheric correction scheme in sun glint conditions. The second aims at defining an operational adjacency effect correction. The third study makes use of the ability of MERIS to measure transmission in the O2-A oxygen band to better identify and characterize clouds and aerosols.

This paper summarizes the activities carried out in the frame of the data quality activities of the Advanced Visible and Near Infrared Radiometer type 2 (AVNIR-2) sensor onboard the Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS). Assessment of the radiometric calibration of the AVNIR-2 multi-spectral imager is achieved via three intercomparisons to currently flying sensors over the Libyan desert, during the first year of operation. All three methodologies indicate a slight underestimation of AVNIR-2 in band 1 by 4 to 7 % with respect to other sensors radiometric scale. Band 2 does not show any obvious bias. Results for band 3 are affected by saturation due to inappropriate gain setting. Two methodologies indicate no significant bias in band 4. Preliminary results indicate possible degradations of the AVNIR-2 channels, which, when modeled as an exponentially decreasing functions, have time constants of respectively 13.2 %.year-1, 8.8 %.year-1and 0.1 %.year-1in band 1, 2 and 4 (with respect to the radiometric scale of the MEdium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer, MERIS). Longer time series of AVNIR-2 data are needed to draw final conclusions.

The Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS) was launched on Jan 24th, 2006 by a Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) H-IIA launcher. It carries three remote sensing instruments: Advanced Visible and Near Infrared Radiometer type-2 (AVNIR-2), Panchromatic Remote-sensing Instrument for Stereo Mapping (PRISM) and Phased Array Type L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (PALSAR). Within the framework of European ALOS Data European Node (ADEN), European Space Research INstitute (ESRIN) as part of European Space Agency (ESA), teamed up with JAXA for contributing to ALOS commissioning phase plan. This paper summarizes the strategy that ESA adopted to define and implement a data verification plan for mission operated by foreign nation, classified as so called ESA Third Party Missions (TPM). The verification of ALOS optical data from PRISM / AVNIR-2 instruments activities had begun four months after satellite launch on March 2007.GAEL Consultant (French company) has supported ESA / ESRIN for designing and executing the plan. A team of principal investigator's has been put together to provide technical expertise. This paper includes a description of the verification plan and summarizes the methodologies that were used for radiometric, geometric and image quality assessment. Preliminary results indicate that the radiometric calibration of the AVNIR-2 sensor agrees with Landsat 5 (L5) Thematic Mapper and the MEdium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS) calibration to within 10%. The geometry accuracy of PRISM and AVNIR-2 product remains within specifications but some recommendations are provided to improve the quality of product. The preliminary results from the PRISM image quality assessment through computation of PRISM Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) raised few questions toward jpeg compression that degrades image.