European Association of Remote Sensing Companies (EARSC) (UK)

EARSC, the European Association of Remote Sensing Companies is a membership-based, not for profit European organization which coordinates and promotes activities of European companies engaged in delivering EO geoinformation services. EARSC's key goal is to help promote the industry and to help develop the market for EO services. EARSC is representing the European providers of geo-information services in its broadest sense creating a network between industry, decision makers and users and covering the full EO value chain from data acquisition through processing, fusion, analysis to final geo-information products & services.

The network comprising EARSC members contains all the leading European suppliers as well as many small and micro-enterprises. The sector in Europe comprises over 95% of small and micro class companies with less than 50 and 10 employees respectively. EARSC brings a single and representative interface into this community by offering tools which help it connect with others (see infrastructure).

Formed in 1989, EARSC provides its members with information on current and prospective European programs, legislative actions as well as the news on the market for EO services. We have recently published a comprehensive survey on the industry and our aim is to provide periodic perspectives on who the industry is changing to inform both policy makers as well as the companies themselves.

As the whole sector moves from being focused on R&D to providing operational products and services, we are helping by stimulating the adoption of professional standards and the development and introduction of product specifications across the whole range of applications.

Finally, we promote the industry through networking events such as workshops and dedicated meetings, as well as through the Community tools (eopages and the EO Portal including the eowiki) which allow potential customers to find and appreciate suppliers. In this respect we undertake studies into the market and the impact of EO geo-information services. As well as the Comprehensive industry survey already mentioned we conducted a study into the benefits of making Copernicus Sentinel data available on a free and open basis. This study, "GMES and Data: Geese and Golden Eggs" can be downloaded from our web-site and there are links to the video presentation of the results.

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Key project participants________________________________________________________

Geoff Sawyer. Experienced engineer and manager; EARSC Secretary General): During his long and varied career, Geoff has held senior management positions in the space industry as well as numerous representative positions in the UK and Europe including 3 years as the chairman of EARSC (from 1991 to 1995) and as a member of several EU consultative bodies such as Spassec (for space and security) and the SecAG (Security Advisory Group). In addition to his extensive industrial experience, Geoff also spent 3 years working for the European Commission where he was responsible for supporting space policy and in particular the creation of the GMES initiative. Geoff is very well known to many in the space and earth observation sectors and brings this deep wealth of experience and knowledge to support the ambitions of the geo-information industry that EARSC represents. Key role in the project: Staff working for EARSC who will lead the EARSC contribution to the project.

Mónica Miguel-Lago administrator and RS expert; EARSC Executive Secretary: Monica is an oceanographer, with proven ability and experience of conducting International Programmes. All through the last years, she has enjoyed the great opportunity to work in Earth Observation closely with different stakeholders from most highly regarded technological related firms and institutions, as research centers, ESA, EU, or UN departments. Her background as a scientist coupled with her personal know-how on
outreach projects or organizational events has equipped her with a multitude of skills for a professional development at European Framework and specially on promoting awareness on the capabilities and limitations of Earth Observation. Key role on the project: Staff working for EARSC who will organise workshops and contribute to the exchange of knowledge

Deborah Sciocco economist and projects assistant; EARSC consultant: Deborah has a background in economics and environment, she has been working for the last 15 months in the Copernicus Unit in the EC looking at impact assessments and the economic aspects linked to Copernicus. Key role on the project: staff working for EARSC who will support the project activities.