Operationalization of Earth Observation

Abstract

The concept of “operationalization” of Earth Observation refers to the use of Earth Observation data in an “operational” way, which we will define as the use of such data as a routine source of information, which has economic, social, strategic, political or environmental value to a segment of society. The implication of this definition is that operational users have, as their objective, the generation of wealth through the application of derived information in a continuous and routine way to the problems and issues of our society. It also emphasizes the fact that the business of Earth Observation is an INFORMATION business. The ultimate output product of each acquisition by a space-borne (or airborne) instrument is information about the surface and/or atmosphere of the Earth at a particular point in time. The tangible result of all the effort that goes into building and operating an Earth Observation spacecraft and its associated infrastructure is a set of measurements of the Earth system from space from which we can derive information of economic, social, strategic, political or environmental value. It is this concept of the value of information which is key to understanding the economics of Earth Observation and the issue of gaining a return on investments made in such systems be they financed by public or private means.