Earth Observation Preparatory Programme (EOPP)

EOPP is a program under which key technologies and applications development for future earth observation missions (e.g. Earth Explorer and Earthwatch) are initiated.

European Remote Sensing (ERS) Satellite

ERS-1 and its follow-on ERS-2 are remote sensing satellites for coastal, sea and ice applications. ERS-1 was launched in 1991. It was equipped with a series of instruments including a synthetic aperture radar providing images of the best quality that were used on a daily basis by government and industry for the following applications: resource management, agriculture, geology, oceanography, ice monitoring and ship routing. ERS-1 ceased operations in 1996. 

ERS-2 was launched in April of 1995. It adds the capability of a Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment (GOME) to address atmospheric chemistry, an area of growing environmental concern.

ENVISAT

ENVISAT, a component of the Polar Orbit Earth Mission, is a large satellite for the monitoring of the environment which is was launched in 2002. The main objective is to provide Europe and Canada with an enhanced capability for the remote sensing observation of Earth from space, with the aim of further increasing the capacity of participating states to take part in the studying and monitoring of the Earth and its environment. The satellite carries a number of instruments including ASAR, bvGOMOS, RA-2, MERIS, MIPAS, MWR, LR, SCIA, AATSR, DORIS.

Advanced Research in Telecommunications (ARTES)

ARTES stands for Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems. This program started in 1994 with two major aims: to develop technologies to be used in future satellite communication and navigation programs, and to help develop new markets so as to improve the competitiveness of the industry on the commercial market. These goals are broadly defined and permit the ARTES program to evolve with the rapidly changing needs of the field. Canada participates in the ARTES-1, ARTES-3, ARTES-5, and ARTES-9.

ARTES 1

The first element of the ARTES program is entitled Preliminary Studies and Investigations and its aim is to carry out preparatory activities in order to identify new mission opportunities and to carry out the ESA institutional tasks. This is an ongoing program.

ARTES 3

ARTES 3 is entitled Multimedia Program Initiative and offers to provide industry with support in the start-up phase of new projects which is the most difficult to be financed by the market. Phase 1 of the project is ongoing and has a financial of 100M EURO (about C$165M). The second phase is set to start in June 1999 with a financial envelope of 280M EURO (about $460M). Phase 2 will concentrate on co-funding the developments necessary to ensure testing and validation of the end-to-end systems proposed by the European satellite prime contractors: Euroskyway, Skybridge, and West.

ARTES 5

ARTES 5 is known as the Programme for Advanced Systems and Telecommunications Equipment (ASTE). The objective of activities conducted under ASTE are aimed at developing technologies for use in future satellite communications programs and to improve the competitiveness of the industry on the commercial market. Four types of missions are covered by ASTE: data relay services; fixed and mobile broadcasting services; navigation and mobile services; and communications systems and common equipment.

ARTES 9

ARTES 9 is a program designed to develop a global positioning and navigation satellite system known as Galileo (formely GNSS). The range of applications to this satellite program is very wide: new applications are being added almost every day to the list of services which will eventually rely on Galileo. Europe and Canada want to make sure we get an important share of the global market.

This should be achieved according to the following:

• The implementation of a GALILEO constellation of satellites and associated ground infrastructure to provide world-wide coverage that is GPS compatible.

• A two-phase approach, including a development/validation phase mainly financed through public funding (ESA,EC) to be completed by 2004/2005, and an operational phase involving private funding, leading to full GALILEO operational capability by the end of 2008/2009.

General Studies Programme (GSP)

The General Studies Programme is the mandatory preparatory program of the European Space Agency. It provides the Agency with resources for preliminary investigation of potential future programs. ESA stakeholders base their decision on the implementation of new programs according to the data provided by these feasibility studies.

Ideas from industry and agencies for General Studies are periodically submitted by the department head at ESTEC.

General Support Technology Programme (GSTP)

The GSTP is an optional program, initiated in 1993 to bridge the gap between the TRP and other preparatory programs such as EOPP and ARTES-1. Canada issues periodic Calls for Ideas which are screened against the technology development priorities of the CSA and ESA before submitting them to ESA for contracting.

Earthnet

The objective of Earthnet is to collect, process and exploit data from ESA EO satellites such as ERS as well as foreign (e.g. Landsat). Earthnet also finances studies and investments related to the development of tools and infrastructure required for the reception of missions such as Envisat.

Technology Research Programme (TRP)

TRP supports all future ESA programs through exploratory studies and pre-development of critical items with the objective to achieve feasibility demonstration. Canada does not contribute to the TRP and Canadian companies therefore do not have access to these contracts. An exception is made for contracts that closely related to preparatory programs in which Canada participates (eg. EOPP and ARTES-1).