Eumetsat, ESA Lay Groundwork for GMES

[Satellite Today 07-23-09] The European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (Eumetsat) signed a framework agreement with the European Space Agency (ESA) to develop the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) program, Eumetsat announced July 21.
    Under the agreement, ESA will be responsible for the procurement of the GMES Sentinel missions, the overall coordination of the GMES Space Component (GSC) and for the interface between the GSC and GMES services. Eumetsat will be responsible for the contribution of its mission data, products and services to GMES in accordance with the Eumetsat data policy and for establishing the mission requirements as well as contributing to the development of the GMES Sentinel missions that Eumetsat will operate.
    The GMES program is an initiative aimed at streamlining European activities and funds in the field of Earth observation.