World Meteorological Organization

Under the direction of the Chair of the Standing committee on Earth Observing Systems and Monitoring Networks (SC-ON) of the Commission for Observation, Infrastructure and Information Systems (INFCOM), and with the assistance of the WMO Space Systems and Utilization Division (SSU/D), the Expert Team on Space Systems and Utilization (ET-SSU) shall undertake tasks and provide advice on and support for the implementation of the space-based component of the WMO Integrated Global Observing Systems (WIGOS) in line with the Vision for WIGOS in 2040, in particular:
(a) Report to SC-ON on issues noted and progress of activities undertaken;
(b) Monitor present and prospective space systems, their data and products including their availability and potential applications, and provide advice with a view to increased utilization by WMO Members;
(c) Contribute to the development and review of WMO guidance and regulatory material on all aspects related to the space-based component of WIGOS;
(d) Assist in addressing the needs of WMO Members for access to and utilization of satellite data and products in cooperation with the WMO Regional Coordination Groups on Satellite Data Requirements;
(e) Provide guidance to the Virtual Laboratory Management Group for Education and Training in Satellite Meteorology (VLab) with respect to capacity-building related activities associated with education and training in satellite meteorology and related fields to address the needs of WMO Members towards full utilization of satellite data from operational and R&D satellites;
(f) Coordinate with other relevant WMO bodies with a view to making recommendations and receiving inputs on matters related to satellite data management, such as access to, processing, dissemination, and archiving of space systems data and products;
(g) Provide guidance to the Expert Team on Radio Frequency Coordination (ET-RFC) and other relevant international initiatives with respect to the use of electromagnetic spectrum frequency allocations and need for protection of the frequency bands used for remote sensing;
(h) Advise WMO for its interactions with the Global Space-based Inter-Calibration System (GSICS) and other relevant international initiatives on issues related to calibration of satellite instruments and validation of satellite data and products;
(i) Support WMO coordination with international and national space agencies and initiatives for space-based observations, in particular the Coordination Group for Meteorological Satellites (CGMS) and the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS).