Topic

Earth Observation in Support of the Sustainable Development Goals

Brief Description

The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is a global development agenda for the progress on economic, social and environmental sustainability for all countries and stakeholders. Nowadays, most -if not all- Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) maybe pursued with the robust potential of Earth Observation data and products guaranteeing their applicability both in space and time. This topic focusses on the use of Earth Observation to achieving SDGs and, more specifically, geophysical and climate-related SDGs related to agriculture, water, energy, terrestrial and marine ecosystems, climate change impacts and adaptation, carbon and water footprints, etc. It is desirable that solutions proposed to achieve the SDGs are nature-based solutions that are measures that protect, sustainably manage or restore nature, with the goal of maintaining or enhancing ecosystem services to address a variety of social, environmental and economic challenges (OECD).

Related Topics

• Food security and sustainable agriculture
• Sustainable water management
• Sustainable development and the water-energy-food nexus
• Terrestrial ecosystems: forest management, land productivity and land degradation, biodiversity loss
• Water quality, coastal waters, marine resources for sustainable development
• Climate change impacts. Adaptation to climate change
• Resilient and sustainable cities
• Carbon and water footprints

Topic

Space-based Weather and Climate Extreme Events Monitoring and Forecasting

Brief Description

It is now recognized that there is a need to improve the monitoring of weather and climate from space, especially under severe situations (e.g. extreme rainfall and droughts in particular). Major efforts are being undertaken by WMO, both in improving the infrastructure and expanding surface observations, and in promoting the availability and use of satellite data for different applications (e.g. for weather, hydrological and climate monitoring). The current constellation of satellites and the emerging of new satellite missions carry with them products/algorithms, which are constantly evolving and require careful validation studies for successful applications. These products are becoming more and more robust, with physical-statistical approaches, considering also artificial intelligence (AI) techniques and expanding our spatio-temporal vision, for example, of precipitation and the physical/microphysical processes that involve it, supporting also short-term monitoring and forecasting (nowcasting), making possible the monitoring, also, in areas without in-situ observations. Thus, studies related to observation data from space and products for monitoring climate and weather extremes linked to the proposed themes are welcome

Related Topics

• Extreme weather and climate events monitoring and variability of
• Validation and uncertainties characterization of satellite product
• Nowcasting and severe weather warning systems from satellites and other observational sources (radar, lightning, ...)
• Assimilation of satellite data for severe weather forecast
• New techniques (e.g. AI- Artificial Intelligence) applied to satellite observations for monitoring extremes
• Special Focus: The new generation of weather and climate satellites and applications for nowcasting

Topic

New Space: Disruptive Space Technologies and Innovations

Brief Description

Studies related to all kinds of Disruptive Space Technologies and Innovations can be submitted. The approach can involve aspects of hardware and firmware applications to space missions in general.

Related Topics

• Embedded Electronics for Satellite applications
• Satellite communications systems
• Computer Systems for Space Applications
• On Board Computers for CubeSat applications
• Error Correction Codes for space applications

Topic

Deep Space Missions

Brief Description

Studies related to all kinds of deep space missions can be submitted. The approach can involve aspects of the dynamics of the spacecraft or the system to be explored, the results of the mission data analysis, or new deep space missions proposal.

Related Topics

• Small bodies space missions
• Astrobiology
• Exploration of the Moon
• Exoplanets
• Missions to planets of the outer solar system

Topic

Air and Aerospace Economics

Brief Description

Studies related to research, development and innovation may be submitted, with a focus on technological prospecting, protection of intellectual property and investments related to the Aerospace Industry and Economy, in addition to works that can conceive new companies and startups, as well as spinoffs, linked to the theme of "New Space".

Related Topics

• Transformation of space, opportunity and challenge of traditional companies
• Spatial development: the commercial and the military walking together
• Prospecting, Protection and Investments at New Space: Startups and Spinoffs
• Earth Observation and Business Opportunities

Topic

The Continental Water Cycle from Space

Brief Description

Climate, weather, and human life are profoundly affected by changes in Earth's continuous, interconnected "water cycle". Observing and monitoring the key variables governing the global water cycle is essential to our understanding of the Earth's climate, monitoring floods and droughts, and improving water management for human use. The progress of Earth Observation Satellite Technologies (EO) has made it possible since at least the last 40 years to survey several of these key water variables from space. In the coming years, an increasing number of EO missions, like SWOT, will offer an unprecedented capacity to observe the Earth's surface, its interior and the atmosphere, ushering in a new era in the science of the Earth environment and the water cycle. A special focus will be proposed on the application of these techniques in water scarce regions like Nordeste/Ceara and on the detection of the small hydrological entities (small reservoirs, for example) which are a challenge for remote sensing. We encourage presentations on the use of innovative data science methods and artificial intelligence for processing water related satellite data.

Related Topics

• Hydrology; surface waters; River and lakes monitoring and prediction
• Floods and droughts impact monitoring
• Water cycle; water budget
• Water management; water resources
• Special focus: Monitoring of waters and water related risk in arid/semi-arid regions

Topic

Land Use/Cover Changes (LUCC) and Fires

Brief Description

Land-use/cover changes (LUCC) are a paramount concern for the global change research community, with a particular emphasis on South American countries due to the rapid pace of economic development. LUCC encompasses a range of factors and activities that alter the composition and configuration of land and its associated cover, including deforestation, logging, agricultural expansion, and urbanization. The impacts of these activities are far-reaching, affecting ecological systems, biodiversity, climate regulation, and the well-being of local communities. To effectively address and mitigate the consequences of LUCC, it is crucial to comprehensively document these changes. This specific session will focus on mapping, monitoring, drivers, and impacts of LUCC in South American countries using multi-satellite datasets. In addition to several LUCC drivers such as agricultural expansion, forest clearing for plantations, and urbanization, vegetation fires are one of the most significant drivers of forest cover change in the Amazon and other South American countries. In the region, fires are driven by both anthropogenic and climate factors. Remote Sensing technology, due to its multi-spectral, multi-temporal, repetitive, and synoptic coverage, has significant potential to map and monitor fires, including quantifying impacts post-fires. The two-day sessions (August 16 and 17, morning till noon) will focus on LUCC and Fires.

Related Topics

• Quantifying recent LUCC changes in South American countries which will include mapping, monitoring, and addressing impacts and drivers. LCLUC themes include agriculture, forests, plantations, urban, and other land- cover types and addressing LUCC
• Use of passive optical, RADAR, hyperspectral, LIDAR, and other remotely sensed data for LUCC studies
• Linking socioeconomic data and ground data with satellite derived land cover information for LUCC studies
• Modeling of LUCC, developing decision support systems, including policy and mitigation
• Remote sensing of fires including mapping, monitoring and impacts assessment such as greenhouse gas emissions and aerosols from biomass burning
• Studies linking LUCC and fire