The purpose of the EUMETSAT strategy is to provide the direction and scope of the activities to be undertaken by EUMETSAT over the long-term, with the aim of maximising the benefits to users in Member and Cooperating States whilst taking into account any evolutions in EUMETSAT’s environement.
In the strategy, the vision of EUMETSAT is to be the leading user-governed operational agency for European Earth observation satellite programmes that are consistent with the objectives of its Convention. In this area EUMETSAT will be a trusted global partner of the provision of satellite data from geostationary and low-earth orbits.
In realising this vision:
EUMETSAT’s first priority shall be to continue to fulfil the essential requirements of EUMETSAT Member States for satellite observations from both geostationary and low-earth orbits for operational weather forecasting and climate monitoring. This shall be primarily achieved by sustaining the EUMETSAT mandatory programmes in geostationary and low earth orbits and, by the complementary pro-active development of cooperation arrangements that guarantee to EUMETSAT Member States cost-effective access to data from international partners, i.e. through data exchange agreements.
For operational weather forecasting, these programmes shall respond to the needs for satellite data of the European National Meteorological Services in support of nowcasting, short and medium-range forecasts. These observations shall include atmospheric, land-surface, ocean and cryosphere measurements.
For climate monitoring, in response to requirements expressed by GCOS, EUMETSAT shall generate Fundamental Climate Data Records (FCDR) and Thematic Climate Data Records (TCDR), at EUMETSAT’s Central Facility, making use of the expertise available in the EUMETSAT Ground Segment, including the network of EUMETSAT Satellite Application Facilities (SAF).
EUMETSAT’s second priority shall be to develop new environmental monitoring satellite capabilities to meet the needs of EUMETSAT users, to the extent that they interact with or are driven by weather and climate. In particular, EUMETSAT shall continue to promote the proportionate use of its skills and operational capabilities in the implementation of GMES missions of interest to its Member States. EUMETSAT shall also build proper relationships with European institutions in charge of Environment monitoring.
The EUMETSAT vision shall be implemented through a mix of EUMETSAT mandatory, optional and third-party programmes. Being a component of the EMI, EUMETSAT shall maximise the value and use of its data in full synergy with other observations (including in-situ) and models.
Eight underlying strategic objectives will help to realise the vision:
- 1. Deliver satellite programmes which meet the needs of EUMETSAT Member States
- 2. Provide services based on cost-effective ground and space segment infrastructures which respond to evolving user requirements
- 3. Meet additional needs of EUMETSAT Member States for global space-based observations through international cooperation
- 4. Secure new opportunities in areas that are complementary to EUMETSAT’s programmes and meet Member States’ requirements
- 5. Extend the user base for EUMETSAT data, products and service in EUMETSAT Member and Cooperating states and in WMO Members
- 6. Be an active partner in European and global initiatives of relevance to space-based weather, climate and environmental monitoring.
- 7. Deliver continuously improved management processes.
- 8. Recruit and maintain a core resource of talented and engaged people with relevant skills