Skip to content | Skip to institutional links | Skip to institutional links

Common menu bar links

Liens institutionnels

Audiences

Activities

Resources

Proactive Disclosure

From Atmospheric to Earth System Science

A Workshop on Earth Surface-Atmosphere Interactions and Processes in Climate and Air Quality

December 1-3, 2009

Canadian Space Agency
John H. Chapman Space Centre
6767 Route de l'Aéroport
Saint-Hubert, Quebec J3Y 8Y9

General Information

The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) is pleased to announce that it will host a Workshop on Earth Surface-Atmosphere Interactions and Processes in Climate and Air Quality from 1 to 3 December 2009, at the John H. Chapman Space Centre in St-Hubert, Quebec. The workshop has several objectives:

Dec. 1 will permit the CSA to provide updates on its programs and activities of relevance to Earth System Science.
Dec. 2 will focus on developing collaborative research activities involving the use of space-based Earth Observations, between the Canadian Atmospheric Science community and other sectors of the Canadian Earth System Science community.
Dec. 3 will focus primarily on the six recent mission concept studies that address Atmospheric Processes of Climate and its Changes (APOCC) and planning of mission development activities.

Program Overview

During the last two decades, the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) has developed a strong relationship with the Canadian atmospheric science community. Canadian Space Program investments in five space missions (WINDII on UARS, MOPITT on Terra, OSIRIS on Odin, SCISAT and CloudSat) have been considerable. These missions have contributed in very significant ways to our understanding of the dynamics and chemistry of Earth's atmosphere. They have also contributed to the development of Canadian capabilities in instrument design and fabrication, and the validation of space data using ground-based and airborne instruments, and atmospheric modeling. Recent instrument and mission concept studies, as well as science being performed with data from the currently operating missions, attest to the vibrancy of this community.

The Canadian Space Program is broadening its support of activities that use space data to address high priority science questions related to climate and air quality. A holistic Earth System approach to space-based science is needed. As CSA broadens the scope of its science program during the next few years, it will focus on collaborative research between the Canadian Atmospheric Science community and other sectors of the Canadian Earth System Science community. During this period, the CSA intends to establish and nurture a relationship with other sectors of the Canadian Earth System Science community. However, because of resource constraints and on-going CSA investments in space-borne Earth Science instruments and satellites that focus on the atmosphere, only a limited number of new activities can be supported in the near future. Workshop participants should form expectations in light of these programmatic constraints. At the same time, workshop participants should know that their input can influence the next generation of Canadian Earth Observation science missions and activities. Significant missions often require development times of 5 to 10 years.

Day 1 - From Atmospheric to Earth System Science: updates on CSA programs and activities. A proud heritage in Atmospheric Science space missions and government related Earth Observation applications forms a strong basis for enhancement of Canadian Space Program investment in Earth System Science activities that use space-based data.

Day 2 - New opportunities in Earth System Science. This day will focus on developing collaborative research activities involving the use of space-based EO, between the Canadian Atmospheric Science community and other sectors of the Canadian Earth System Science community. The morning session will focus on long-term goals and observation needs to address high priority science questions in surface-atmosphere interactions in the domains of climate and air quality. Speakers will identify opportunities for collaboration in use of ground, airborne and space-based measurements and in modeling. The afternoon session will focus on near-term collaborative research opportunities with regards to validation and use of data from recent and future satellites of interest to the CSA (e.g., GOSAT, Aquarius/SAC-D, ESA's Sentinels and Earth Explorers, SMAP). A wrap-up session will formulate recommendations to the CSA on priorities, implementation mechanisms and next steps in developing the Canadian Earth System Science community.

Day 3 - Atmospheric Processes of Climate and its Changes (APOCC) Mission Concept Studies: planning the way forward. This day will focus primarily on the six recent mission concept studies that address Atmospheric Processes of Climate and its Changes (APOCC). Presentations and discussion will address science merit, synergy with other science and operational EO satellites, science and technical readiness, suborbital development activities, cost and partnerships. As an atmospheric instrument under development, SWIFT will also be discussed in this context. The dialogue begun here with the Canadian EO science community and with partner agencies and organizations will continue for several months. It will contribute to CSA planning for technology development, suborbital science, instrument contributions to international space missions, and Canadian science satellites in the coming decade. It is anticipated that CSA will pursue several instrument and satellite opportunities, in different cost categories, that derive from the APOCC mission concepts. While of special interest to the Atmospheric Science community, these discussions may be useful to the wider community in understanding the process by which an idea develops into a space mission.

Who Should Attend

Members of the Canadian Atmospheric and Earth System Science communities (academia, industry and government) are invited to participate in this workshop.

Final Agenda

Day 1 - From Atmospheric to Earth System Science: updates on CSA programs and activities

Time

Speaker

Topic