Draft:Earth Observation in place and space

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Earth Observation Information Processing System (EOIPS) is a multidisciplinary scientific field that involves the collection, analysis, and presentation of information about the Earth's systems from various perspectives and scales. It utilizes space-based, ground-based, airborne, and underwater platforms to measure physical, chemical, and biological properties of the Earth and its surroundings. EOIPS has applications in environmental monitoring, natural resource management, disaster response, climate change studies, urban planning, security and defense, education, and outreach. By integrating diverse observation methods and technologies, EOIPS provides valuable insights into the Earth's processes, dynamics, and interactions, contributing to a better understanding and management of our planet.

History

The history of EOIPS can be traced back to the early attempts of observing the Earth from high altitudes using balloons, rockets, and aircraft. In the 19th century, scientists used balloons and kites to carry instruments into the atmosphere to collect data on temperature, pressure, and humidity. In the early 20th century, rockets were used to reach even higher altitudes, allowing for the first aerial photographs of the Earth.

The first space-based image of the Earth was taken in 1947 by a camera mounted on a V-2 rocket launched from New Mexico. This image marked the beginning of space-based EOIPS and paved the way for further advancements in the field.

In 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite, which initiated the space age and sparked a global interest in space exploration and observation. Sputnik 1 was followed by a series of satellites launched by both the Soviet Union and the United States, which provided valuable data about the Earth's atmosphere, magnetic field, and gravitational field.

In 1960, the United States launched TIROS-1, the first weather satellite. TIROS-1 demonstrated the feasibility and usefulness of monitoring the Earth's atmosphere from space. It provided the first global weather images, which revolutionized weather forecasting and paved the way for the development of modern weather satellites.

Since then, numerous satellites have been launched for various EOIPS purposes, including land surface mapping, oceanography, geodesy, meteorology, astronomy, and astrophysics. These satellites have provided a wealth of data about the Earth's systems, leading to significant advancements in our understanding of the planet and its processes.

Today, EOIPS is a well-established field with a wide range of applications, including environmental monitoring, natural resource management, disaster response, climate change studies, urban planning, security and defense, education, and outreach. It continues to evolve with the development of new technologies and platforms, providing increasingly detailed and accurate information about the Earth and its surroundings.

Key Components of EOIPS

Data Acquisition:

Sensors and Satellites: EOIPS utilize a range of onboard sensors (optical, radar, and multispectral) mounted on satellites or aerial platforms to gather remote sensing data.
Ground Stations: These facilities are crucial for receiving raw data transmitted from satellites, equipped with systems for initial filtering and stabilization.

Data Processing:

Preprocessing: This step involves correcting and calibrating the raw data to eliminate noise and atmospheric effects. Techniques such as radiometric calibration and geometric correction are employed.
Data Fusion and Analysis: EOIPS can integrate and analyze datasets from various sources to extract meaningful insights. For instance, combining satellite imagery with ground-based data can enhance urban planning efforts or agricultural monitoring.

Storage and Management:

Data Repositories: High-capacity storage solutions are essential for managing the vast amounts of data collected. Cloud-based solutions are increasingly popular for their scalability and accessibility.
Metadata Management: Efficient metadata management is vital for the effective retrieval and understanding of datasets, ensuring users can easily access the required information.

Data Dissemination:

User Interfaces and Visualization Tools: EOIPS often include web-based platforms that allow users to visualize and interact with the data. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools are commonly used for spatial analysis.
APIs and Integration: EOIPS provide ways for third-party developers to access data, facilitating integration with other applications and systems.

Applications

EOIPS has a wide range of applications that require information about the Earth's systems for various purposes. Some examples of EOIPS applications are:

Environmental monitoring: The systematic observation and assessment of the state and changes of the natural environment (such as land cover, vegetation, water quality, air quality, or biodiversity). Environmental monitoring can support environmental protection, conservation, and restoration efforts; detect and evaluate environmental impacts; identify environmental risks and hazards; inform environmental policies and regulations; and raise environmental awareness and education.

Natural resource management: The efficient and sustainable use of natural resources (such as water, soil, minerals, or energy). Natural resource management can support resource exploration, extraction, and utilization; land use planning; conservation and protection of natural resources; and sustainable development.

Disaster response: The use of EOIPS to support disaster management and response efforts, including disaster risk assessment, early warning systems, damage assessment, and emergency response coordination. EOIPS can provide valuable information for disaster preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery.

Climate change studies: The use of EOIPS to study the Earth's climate system, including climate variability, climate change impacts, and climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies. EOIPS can provide data on temperature, precipitation, sea level, land cover, and other climate-related variables.

Urban planning: The use of EOIPS to support urban planning and management, including land use planning, transportation planning, infrastructure development, and urban design. EOIPS can provide information on land use, population density, traffic patterns, and other urban features.

Security and defense: The use of EOIPS to support national security and defense, including border security, surveillance, intelligence gathering, and military operations. EOIPS can provide information on troop movements, military installations, and other security-related features.

Education and outreach: The use of EOIPS to support education and outreach programs, including teaching about the Earth's systems, environmental science, and space exploration. EOIPS can provide data, images, and other resources for educational purposes.

Global and local Health: The use of EOIPS to support health and wellbeing projects, including UN/WHO projects about earth observations, food and agriculture. EOIPS can provide data, images, and other resources for healthcare purposes.

These are just a few examples of the many applications of EOIPS. The field continues to evolve with the development of new technologies and platforms, providing increasingly detailed and accurate information about the Earth and its surroundings. This information is essential for a wide range of decision-making processes, from environmental management to disaster response to climate change mitigation.

The future of earth observation applications (SDIS)

The Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS) is a key component of NASA’s Earth Science Data Systems Program. It provides end-to-end capabilities for managing NASA’s Earth science data from various sources, including satellites, aircraft, and field measurements. EOSDIS supports a wide range of activities, such as command and control of satellite missions, data capture and initial processing, generation of higher-level science data products, and archiving and distribution of data products. The system is designed to help scientists and researchers access and utilize Earth observation data for various applications, including climate change monitoring, environmental protection, and disaster management.

References

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^ Dittus, A.; Strobl, P.; Esch, T.; Asamer, H.; Balhar, J.; Boettcher, M.; Boisserée, A.; Mathieu, P.-P.; Metz-Marconcini, A.; Pacini, F. et al. Bringing Earth Observation to Schools with the Geo:spektiv E-Learning Platform. Remote Sens. 2020, 12, 3117. https://doi.org/10.3390/
^ Jensen, J.R. Remote Sensing of the Environment: An Earth Resource Perspective. Pearson Education: Upper Saddle River, NJ, USA, 2007. ISBN
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^ Liu, S.C.; Shawe-Taylor J.; Principe J.C.; Giles C.L.; Kasabov N.K. (eds.) Advances in Neural Information Processing Systems 20: Proceedings of the 2007 Conference. MIT Press: Cambridge MA; London UK; 2008. ISBN
^ Munzner T. Visualization Analysis and Design. CRC Press: Boca Raton FL; London UK; New York NY; 2014. ISBN
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^ OGC (Open Geospatial Consortium). OGC® Sensor Web Enablement: Overview and High Level Architecture; OGC White Paper OGC 07–165; OGC: Wayland MA;
^ Turner II B.L., Kasperson R.E., Matson P.A., McCarthy J.J., Corell R.W., Christensen L., Eckley N., Kasperson J.X., Luers A., Martello M.L., Polsky C., Pulsipher A., Schiller A.. A framework for vulnerability analysis in sustainability science. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2003 Jul 8;100(14):8074–8079 https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1231335100
^ United Nations/World Health Organization Regional Conference on Space and Global Health focus in Americas in collaboration with the Space and Global Health Network. (2024, October 23-25). _Space and Global Health: Advancing Global Health through Space Technology_. Geneva, Switzerland.