The Coastal and Marine Research Centre (CMRC) of UCC has been acknowledged for cutting edge research in European Space Agency-funded Earth Observation (EO).

The CMRC’s Applied Remote Sensing and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) Group, together with the Department of Geography at UCC, make up the largest group of researchers in EO in Ireland. Over the last ten years they have worked on a range of projects using optical and radar satellite data for environmental applications. UCC (Department of Geography/CMRC) also offers a Masters of Science programme in Applied Remote Sensing and GIS.

Recently Sean Sherlock, T.D., Minister for Research and Innovation, launched an Enterprise Ireland report called 'Ireland's Space Endeavours: the Impact of Irish Research and Innovation in Space Technologies'. The report highlights the benefits of Irish membership of the European Space Agency.

Ireland’s participation in ESA’s Earth Observation Envelope Programme (EOEP) since 2008 has provided a real boost to EO research at UCC. Currently the CMRC is partnering with organisations in Europe to improve forecasting of storm surge events (ESA funded eSurge project). In doing so, they could provide organisations, like Met Éireann and local authorities, with vital information in advance of such events. In addition to the eSurge project, UCC is also working on another ESA funded project Climate Change Initiative (Phase 1 - Soil Moisture), looking at improving estimates of soil moisture around the globe. One of the applications of this project is to provide early warning systems of droughts. “Membership of the ESA EOEP programme is vital to allow us build expertise and expand employment in this high-tech area”, says Dr. Ned Dwyer, CMRC Deputy Director.

For more information on the work of the Applied Remote Sensing and GIS Group in the CMRC see http://cmrc.ucc.ie

The Irish Times highlights work by CMRC and Department of Geography in UCC

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sciencetoday/2012/0531/1224316983386.html

Access 'Ireland's Space Endeavours: the Impact of Irish Research and Innovation in Space Technologies'

http://www.enterprise-ireland.com/ereader/sector/esa/

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