Experience

Rayference

• Belgium
• Research Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Managing Director

  • Jan 2014 - Present

  Rayference is an Earth Observation R&D company led by Yves Govaerts providing technical and scientific expertise in 1D and 3D radiative transfer, both in the atmosphere and at the surface, and inverse modelling. This expertise is applied in areas such as retrieval of aerosol and surface properties from space observations, vicarious calibration, fundamental and thematic climate data record generation or sensitivity analyses for the preparation of new space missions and associated services. Rayference is an Earth Observation R&D company led by Yves Govaerts providing technical and scientific expertise in 1D and 3D radiative transfer, both in the atmosphere and at the surface, and inverse modelling. This expertise is applied in areas such as retrieval of aerosol and surface properties from space observations, vicarious calibration, fundamental and thematic climate data record generation or sensitivity analyses for the preparation of new space missions and associated services.



Govaerts Consulting

• Brussels

• Manager

  • 2012 - Dec 2013

  Consultancy in Earth Observation, Remote Sensing, Radiation Transfer and Radiometer Calibration Consultancy in Earth Observation, Remote Sensing, Radiation Transfer and Radiometer Calibration



EUMETSAT

• Germany
• Defense and Space Manufacturing
• 400 - 500 Employee

• Remote Sensing Scientist

  • May 1999 - Apr 2011

  Team leader in the development of data processing algorithms for the retrieval of surface and aerosol properties, automated vicarious calibration methods and radiometric performance analysis and definition for Meteosat first to third generations. This task includes the following responsibilities:• Yearly objective definition and preparation of the corresponding workload planning.• Elaboration of Statement Of Work (SOW) for external studies, internal and external projectmanagement and hardware sizing.• Processing algorithm and calibration method development according to EUMETSATprocess model from the user requirement elaboration to the operational integration,including the definition of the product dissemination mechanisms.• Definition of the level 1c commissioning activities and associated monitoring tools.• Interfacing with users for the requirement elaboration and support for disseminatedproducts.• Interfacing with the Satellite Application Facility (SAF) in the member states.• Organisation of the scientific and engineering reviews of the Land SAF.

• Meteorological Product Expert

  • Feb 1997 - Apr 1999

  Responsible for the routine maintenance, operation, improvement and monitoring of meteorological products generated by the EUMETSAT Central Application Facilities. This includes• Definition of data processing operation procedures;• Specification and development of product monitoring tools;• Setting up the first EUMETSAT reprocessing environment;• Initiation of climate data record generation in collaboration with the EC/JRC.



European Commission

• Belgium
• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• ESA postdoc

  • Mar 1996 - Jan 1997

  ESA fellowship at the Joint Research Centre, European Commission, Global Environment Monitoring (GEM) unit of the Institute for Environment and Sustainability (IES) (formerly Institute for Remote Sensing Applications), Ispra, Italy. Research on the potential of the MERIS instrument for land applications (FAPAR) and development of an algorithm for the automated optimisation of vegetation indices. ESA fellowship at the Joint Research Centre, European Commission, Global Environment Monitoring (GEM) unit of the Institute for Environment and Sustainability (IES) (formerly Institute for Remote Sensing Applications), Ispra, Italy. Research on the potential of the MERIS instrument for land applications (FAPAR) and development of an algorithm for the automated optimisation of vegetation indices.