Ioonos

An European initiative to protect the world?

The European Union, European Space Agency (ESA) and national agencies have pooled their space resources with two main objectives: the monitoring of the environment and the protection of the population. This is the GMES initiative (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security).
Some of the crucial issues targeted by the program are: the management of the oceans and coastal zones, land-use, the monitoring of plant resources, water management, air quality and the security of people and property…yup, that’s all!

Observe and measure: yes, but what?

Areas at risk, subject to deterioration of natural origin (flooding, etc) or caused by man (oil spills, etc.), will be followed closely by GMES services and technologies.  The application of international agreements on climate change, such as the Kyoto protocol, or security and international aid procedures will also be observed.

With a view to doing what?

This increased surveillance of the earth from above should provide Europe with faster and more precise warnings, enabling rapid decision making in areas at risk from flooding, forest fires, oil spills etc. The GMS project also provides space support to the forces and European organizations for humanitarian aid and peacekeeping operations.

With what resources?

The use of Spot* satellites, geo-information companies such as Infoterra* and other already existing elements are at the heart of the GMES project. Innovative tools and services, combining space, terrestrial and airborne procedures are being developed, in particular a new family of Sentinel satellites, which will take over from Envisat*. Eventually a participation in the transfer of knowledge and technology to developing countries is planned.