G5.01    Access to data in multiple locations with different user interfaces constitutes a barrier to usage and makes use in general difficult

Gap detailed description

The task of characterizing satellite measurements by means of comparison to reference measurements needs access to and documentation of various reference measurements needed for the analysis of the quality of satellite measurements and/or derived geophysical data products. This task can be massively complicated and time consuming arising from the need to collect data from multiple locations also often offering the data on various types of user interfaces, with which a user needs to become familiar. In many cases, data downloads do not follow specific data exchange standards, which makes it difficult to automate access to them. In addition, the available bandwidth at the provider side might be too small to serve many customers, which can result in extended waiting times for the data. This applies even more when co-located ground based and satellite data are to be offered to the user.

Activities within GAIA-CLIM related to this gap

WP5 activities address this gap partly but not comprehensively with the VO.

Gap remedy(s)

A general remedy of the gap would be to make data available through operational exploitation platforms which could be developed for different user communities. GAIA-CLIM provides this as part of the VO for a set of atmospheric ECVs and the specific application of characterising satellite measurements. Many other ECV reference measurements – satellite data combinations are outside the scope of the GAIA-CLIM project and will not be addressed in this project.

Remedy #1

Specific remedy proposed

The considered ECVs and combinations with satellite data that will be implemented into the Virtual Observatory will become accessible, with the VO acting as a central hub for data access.

Measurable outcome of success

Success could be measured by data download statistics and how they evolve with time. The latter cannot be measured within the time frame of GAIA-CLIM.

Achievable outcomes

Technological viability: High

Indicative cost estimate: High (>5 million) for delivering exploitation platforms and low (<1 million) for achieving a demonstrator level as planned for GAIA-CLIM.

Relevance

The remedy would set an example of how data can be served in the context of the GAIA-CLIM project.

Timebound

The demonstrator takes 2 years, more complete exploitation platforms longer than 5 years.

Gap risks to non-resolution