ESA Capacity Final Report

The overall aim of the CAPACITY (‘Composition of the Atmosphere: Progress to Applications in the user CommuITY’) study has been to define satellite components of a future operational system to monitor atmospheric composition for implementation by ESA/EU within the Space Component of GMES. In this context, operational means that: based on the existing, planned and newly-defined missions, a reliable and timely (including near real-time) service of products can be established that will satisfy user needs. Monitoring means that: long-term continuity and consistency in the quality of the products can be achieved. Atmospheric composition refers to trace gases and aerosols in the atmosphere, and related geophysical parameters such as emissions and surface UV radiation. In CAPACITY, the missing observational capabilities for an envisioned future integrated system to monitor atmospheric composition have been identified and the space elements needed to remedy these deficiencies have been defined. The principal time frame of the future operational system is projected to cover the period 2010 to 2020 concurrent with the EUMETSAT Polar System MetOp, MSG and MTG and other non-European meteorological operational systems, including NPOESS. In addition, some general recommendations have been formulated for the space elements of a post-EPS operational atmospheric composition system (>2020).