• Introduction
  • Introduction and Scope
  • What Does 'MORSE' Stand For?
• Themes
• Implementation
• EO Data
• Workshop
  • Workshop
  • Program
  • Location
  • Author
    Guidelines
  • Organization
• Documents
• Contact Us

Implementation

MORSE will be conducted and managed by the ESA Data User Element (DUE) program and the CSA Earth Observation Applications and Utilization (EOAU) User Niche Program. Starting in 2009, both agencies will provide multi-year funding for MORSE activities under their respective frameworks and programs. In Canada, sources of financial support include the Canadian Space Agency Governement Related Initiatives Program (GRIP), EOADP and the Grants & Contributions funds (see www.space.gc.ca); ESA funding will be provided under the DUE and the EO Innovator programs (see dup.esrin.esa.it).

At the outset of the MORSE initiative, CSA and ESA are planning to implement the following elements:

• 1. Identification of End-User Communities
  The MORSE initiative will engage the End-User organizations involved in coastal zone management with the stated interest of improving the integration of Earth observation data and information products into operational services and to assist in fulfilling their mandates.
• 2. End-User Consultation and Definition of their Information Needs
  For the purpose of exploring the possibility of developing a MORSE concept, it is necessary to confirm the coastal community’s high-level information needs, and to assess the extent of the potential interest in participating in space borne monitoring and mapping initiatives. This will be done through the MORSE User Consultation Workshop.
  
  The objective of the workshop is to bring together the Arctic coastal stakeholders and those from the Earth Observation community, and gain a better understanding of the information needs, and to what extent Earth Observation can help to satisfy them.
  
  This workshop is a unique opportunity for End-Users to present their information needs, particularly those that present challenges for current techniques. Workshop participants will be invited, together, to identify the highest priorities of products and services to be developed, demonstrated and operationalized.
  
  A MORSE position paper will be formulated based on the workshop conclusions.
• 3. Development of Partnerships with End-User Organizations
  The purpose of this task is to engage the End-User organizations with the space agencies in the implementation of EO-based solutions in direct response to their expressed needs. The partnership will define roles and responsibilities of the involved parties within the context of the project implementation. The End-Users are requested to be closely involved in the call for proposals, proposal review, project selection, and project implementation.
• 4. Development of Products and Services, and Demonstrations towards Operationalization
  Based on the prioritized User Needs, the space agencies will seek the participation of industry and academia through a Request for Proposal (CSA) and Invitation to Tender (ESA) for the successful fulfilment of the MORSE initiative objectives. Industry and academic partners will be requested to respond to product and service requirements. The implementation will also include review and selection of projects and portfolio harmonization between CSA and ESA. A mechanism will be established to ensure international collaboration and minimize redundant or duplicate activities among the agencies.
• 5. Outreach and Sharing of Results
  The MORSE reporting framework will focus on joint CSA/ESA outreach activities and sharing of information and results. The activities under each agency will be pooled and coordinated in order to provide harmonized reporting on contributions, results, and achievements. The following elements are proposed:
  
  
  • - A series of MORSE workshops (mid-term and final progress workshops)
  • - Harmonized reporting to National and International organisations, as well as to regional institutions and governments
  • -The development of a MORSE newsletter, web site (news, data, etc.) and other outreach products.