The EnMAP Foreground Mission and Campaign Activities

Abstract

Since November 2022, the Environmental Mapping and Analysis Program (EnMAP) has attracted more than 2800 registered users from over 85 countries. Users frequently access the EnMAP data archive downloading approximately 5400 tiles per month. Users can request observations through the EnMAP Instrument Planning Portal (https://planning.enmap.org). The demand for future observations however varies by region, with Europe showing the highest demand, leading to issues like overlapping orders in the same orbit. To address these challenges and improve mission efficiency, EnMAP has adjusted its acquisition strategies and planning. The goal is to improve access to EnMAP data for a larger user base and increase data acquisition in areas with very high demand. In March 2024, EnMAP introduced the "Foreground Mission," focusing on extended 990-kilometer flightlines over Europe. Initially, a set of 12 flightlines over Germany has been identified in collaboration with the Science User community, scheduled regularly (approximately 8 per month) until Autumn 2024. This Foreground Missions aims to enhance data coverage and create systematic time series during the vegetation period (March to October). The acquisition plan is updated on a monthly basis and adjusted based on other mission priorities such as ground activities or weather conditions. Users can receive advanced information about future priority observations at https://www.enmap.org/data_tools/foreground_mission/. Successfully acquired data are accessible to all registered users approximately six days after acquisition via the EnMAP Data Archive on the EOWEB Geoportal. It is also anticipated to expand the Foreground Mission to other European countries. This informative presentation emphasizes the outcomes of the new Foreground Mission initiative and outlines the efforts of the mission consortium to support concurrent field campaigns and mission synergies.