WMO Space Programme Goals and Objectives

WMO Space Programme goals and objectives

The WMO Space Programme coordinates environmental satellite matters and activities throughout all WMO Programmes and provides guidance on the potential of remote-sensing techniques in meteorology, hydrology and related disciplines and applications.

It aims at continuously improving the provision of data, products and services from operational and R&D satellites contributing to the Global Observing System (GOS), as well as facilitating and promoting the wider availability and meaningful use of these data, products and services around the globe.

Space Programme activities are developed around the following four cornerstones :

• Satellite observation requirements from WMO and co-sponsored programmes
  Consolidating requirements, maintaining a Gap Analysis and promoting a vision of the future space-based component of the GOS

• Developing the space-based component of the GOS
  Supporting global planning and optimization, technical coordination, satellite inter-calibration and coordinated processing of environmental satellite observation data, in partnership with satellite agencies, CGMS and CEOS
• Enhancing the availability of satellite data, products and services
  Encouraging data sharing and interoperability, fostering an integrated global data dissemination strategy, promoting advanced dissemination systems, supporting data coding and metadata standardization within the WMO Information system
• Enhancing users’ capability to take advantage of satellite applications
  Supporting user information activities, training through the Virtual Laboratory, monitoring satellite data use by WMO Members

Reference to the WMO Strategic Plan

With reference to the strategic thrusts of the WMO Strategic Plan, the Space Programme is contributing in particular to "Science and technology development and implementation" and to "Capacity building" , serving more specifically the following Expected Results:

• E.R. 4: Integration of WMO observing systems
• E.R. 5: Development and implementation of the new WMO Information System
• E.R. 9: Enhanced capabilities of NMHSs in developing countries, particularly least developed countries, to fulfil their mandates

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