Part II Sharing Satellite Data Case Studies

This part applies the model developed in part I to the issue of satellite data sharing by examining a series of historical case studies. It begins with case studies of two international organizations that have been active in this area: the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the Group on Earth Observations (GEO). These case studies focus on international dynamics particularly important in the area of satellite Earth observations and data sharing, examining how the organizations both influenced, and were influenced by, their member nations. The case studies are designed to provide the reader with an understanding of the larger international trends and debates that affected the individual satellite-operating agencies.

The part then moves into the seven core case studies, each focusing on a space or meteorological organization in the United States, Europe, or Japan. This part also includes a short review of data sharing activities related to US military, intelligence, and commercial satellites, due to their numerous interactions with their civil counterparts. The core case studies are followed by summaries of data sharing policy development in the BRICS countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.

The case studies and summaries trace the process of data sharing policy development within each agency from the launch of its first Earth observation satellites to the present. The focus is on the development of data sharing policy, looking at the way the policy issue was viewed and discussed within the agency, particularly in the context of its goals and culture. The case studies and summaries include attention to how agency developments were affected by the actions of external actors, including national-level government actors, non-governmental actors, and international organizations, and they highlight discussions and developments related to the contextual elements of the data, including security, economic, normative, and technical issues.