2.5 Data Policies
An open data policy is desirable to maximize the scientific and
operational impact of new SmallSat data (e.g., on space weather
forecasts). For operational applications, it may be worthwhile to follow
the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and other bodies (e.g.,
European Organisation for exploitation of Meteorological Satellites
[EUMETSAT]) in defining a list of “essential” data and products
that would be made available world-wide on a free and unrestricted
basis. UNCOPUOS has also established policies for sharing of space
weather data (UNCOPUOS, 2019, Annex II). Standardization of space
weather data products will facilitate data exchange and ease of use.
However, data sharing should allow researchers to retain preferential
access to more innovative observations and ample opportunity to exploit
those data via peer-reviewed publications. As with most missions, there
should be a period immediately after launch reserved for calibration
when data need not be shared and, clearly, the instrument developers
should own Intellectual Property Rights for the data they create. To
provide further incentive for this open data policy, funding agencies
should require a meaningful “pathway to impact” for SmallSat data and
can develop frameworks to facilitate these pathways by, for example,
funding near-real-time downlinks for operational use, or supporting
missions that are demonstrators for future operational missions.