Preparation meetings for the next OSI SAF phase

EUMETSAT is delegating part of its activities to 8 Satellite Application Facilities (SAFs), among which is the Ocean and Sea Ice SAF (OSI SAF). The SAFs activities are organised in 5-year phases. March 2027 will mark, for each SAF, the launch of a new 5-year of continuous development and operations phase.

Each new phase sets new development goals, sees the development of new products, and ensures continuity of the operational production.

During the latest months, our team has gathered to coordinate the preparation of this next phase.

EUMETSAT SAF Network workshop

On 18th and 19th of February, EUMETSAT gathered representatives from the 8 Satellite Application Facilities in Darmstadt. The aim of the meeting was to prepare for the fifth SAF Continuous Development and Operations Phase (CDOP 5).

The discussions turned around the principles, opportunities, and implications of the priorities that EUMETSAT Member States have agreed upon for the updated SAF Strategy. These principles will shape how the SAF Network evolves to maintain and extend its relevance, collaboration, and innovation. Key topics included:

• Operational relevance of SAF products – ensuring their sustained use in Member States’ services and beyond.
• New mechanisms for collaboration & innovation – fostering a dynamic SAF Network that effectively utilises shared infrastructure and resources within EUMETSAT and other European frameworks.
• Strengthening product usage monitoring & portfolio management – ensuring products remain impactful and valuable.
• Identifying collaborative opportunities – enhancing joint developments that maximise the value of SAF deliverables for users.

OSI SAF Steering Group meeting

The OSI SAF Steering Group gathers twice a year (once virtually, once physically) to assess the project progress, and take leading decisions. More information about our Steering Group in this video.

This time, the meeting was hosted by the Danish Meteorological Institute (DMI) in Copenhagen on 23rd and 24th of April 2025. In addition to the discussions about steering for the remaining 2 years of the current phase, the meeting was also an opportunity to discuss some high level topics for the incoming phase.

OSI SAF Project Team meeting

The team also regularly gathers to discuss the project advancement and future developments. This year, the meeting was hosted by the Norwegian Meteorological Institute (MET Norway) in Tromsø on the 1st and the 2nd of April. It was the occasion for the team to enhance its collaborations. The future developments of the group were largely discussed.

The team is now starting to write its proposition for the next phase. This proposition will be evaluated by EUMETSAT Member States at the end of 2025. A consolidated version will then be ready for formal approval in 2026.

Aside from these meetings, the project team gathers in thematic groups to discuss deeper on particular thematics. The Norwegian and Danish teams hold such a thematic meeting on Sea Surface and Ice Surface Temperature in Copenhagen on 27th and 28th of February.