Understanding Earth’s system natural processes, as well as the interactions of Earth system components with anthropogenic activities - particularly in the context of global climate change - has been recognised by the global scientific community as a very urgent and important research direction requiring attention for further investigation. In this framework, being able to accurately and systematically estimate parameters such as the fluxes of heat (H) and moisture (LE) as well as the soil surface water content (Mo) is of great importance, given their relevance to many physical processes of different Earth system components. Yet, at present global operational mapping of those parameters from remote sensing instruments is lacking or is underdeveloped. In general, their estimation by remote sensing techniques is done in quite diverse and unconnected methods. Specifically, methods combining the biophysical properties encapsulated in a satellite-derived scatter-plot developed between the surface temperature (Ts) and vegetation index (VI) maps (often combined with simulations from a land-biosphere model) have shown a considerable prospect for potential operational implementation scenario.

Based on such Ts/VI scatter-plot method, the specific objectives of PROgRESSIon are to:
1) Develop a series of prototype products for the operational retrieval of LE/H fluxes and of Mo from the Envisat Advanced along Track Scanning Radiometer (AATSR);
2) Develop a prototype algorithm for the improved Mo operational product estimates from the Microwave Imagine Radiometer using Aperture Synthesis (MIRAS) sensor of SMOS mission, based on its synergy with the Spinning Enhanced Visible and Infrared Imager (SEVIRI) radiometer of Meteosat Second Generation (MSG-2) platform; and
3) Appraise the added-value of Envisat Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS) and of the Mo prototype product of objective 2, to the retrievals of the prototype products from AATSR obtained from objective 1.

Deliverables from PROgRESSIon, among other, will complement other analogous activities currently undertaken by the Agency and worldwide. At the same time, the knowledge that will be gained will also have the potential to be used in extending the methods developed herein to future missions planned by the Agency.