This is really big news. Most satellite and radar systems are either privately owned or have shared ownership with the government, at other times ground stations are negotiated and agreed to in a variety of countries, and often, the data are given to the government while the IP remains with satellite or radar owners, therefore prohibiting the state from sharing those data freely and therefore the public still having to purchase imagery.
Google maps satellite data for instance are created by and owned by private companies with some government data in the mix.
ESA [Europe Space Agency] Member States approve full and open Sentinel data policy principles
27 November 2009
ESA
Member States have recently approved the new principles for the
Sentinel Data Policy, which establishes full and open access to data
acquired by the upcoming Sentinel satellite missions.
The
Sentinels comprise five new missions being developed by ESA
specifically for the operational needs of the Global Monitoring for
Environment and Security programme (GMES).
GMES is an EC-led initiative to ensure the provision of Earth
observation (EO) services that are tailored to the needs of users, both
public policymakers and citizens, on a sustainable basis. As part of the...
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Tracey P. Lauriault
613-234-2805
https://gcrc.carleton.ca/confluence/display/GCRCWEB/Lauriault
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