Satellite remote sensing requirements for hydrology and water management from the mid-1990s, in relation to the Columbus Programme of the European Space Agency

Satellite remote sensing is playing an increasingly important role in hydrology and water management. The USA, a world leader in such activities, is planning to develop and organize its system for Earth observation from satellite altitudes by the mid-1990s into a “Space Station Program” including both manned and unmanned elements. Many other nations are debating and negotiating related initiatives. Those of the member states of the European Space Agency are expected to be organized in the multi-faceted “Columbus Programme". This promises to provide welcome new opportunities for remote sensing research and applications in many of the environmental sciences. For such opportunities to be embraced by hydrology and water management it is important that the hydrological community should identify its needs, and articulate and press its own case for these to be met, as the unmanned satellite “Polar Platform” segment of the Columbus Programme develops. This paper presents the results of recent attempts (a) to synthesize the opinions of many hydrological scientists and water managers within western Europe regarding sensor requirements, and (b) from within the UK to establish and exemplify national requirements for preparatory programme elements.