Speaker
Mr
Jean-Christophe Schyns
(BELSPO)
Description
Earth observation is since a long time a priority for Belgium. In 1984 our Country was already associated with France on the SPOT optical imaging system for the observation of the earth with a focus on the agriculture. In the same period Belgium launched its national earth observation programme still financing universities and research institutions.
Later, other Spot satellites have embarked "Belgian platforms": Vegetation (in 1998) and PROBA V (2013). The goal of these sensors is to provide the international user community with time series of the world vegetation at 1km spatial resolution.
The result of these investments by our Country is a recognized community of companies and scientists with very diverse competence in earth observation.
During the last ESA Ministerial Council held in December 2016 the most important budgetary contribution of Belgium was again assigned to earth observation.
The major Belgian mission for the next years is Altius. This mission should provide the scientists around the world with crucial data over the ozone (and other potential chemical components) at the stratospheric level.
In this presentation we would like to explain why Belgium decided to support the Altius mission and why this mission is so important for our Country.
Primary author
Mr
Jean-Christophe Schyns
(BELSPO)
Co-author
Mr
Jacques Nijskens
(BELSPO)
