In order to stimulate the use of soon to be available space-based information in the framework of the European Copernicus programme, Portugal created the Working Group for Earth Observation (GTOT). The Group will focus on the implementation of information delivered by the upcoming Sentinel satellites.
The first Sentinel is set to launch in the spring of 2014 and will deliver information on many aspects of the Earth’s environment. It will also provide information to support disaster emergency response. The GTOT in Portugal is assessing the possibilities to incorporate knowledge of processing and analysis satellite imagery within the public administration.
This inter-institutional Group will also conduct an inventory of the Portuguese state regulations on environmental monitoring, civil protection and civil security which may benefit from the Copernicus programme. On this basis, the Group will release an Action Plan for Earth Observation information implementation.
