INTRODUCTION

Objectives
The aim of the Dual-use European Security IR Element (DESIRE) workshop was to provide a forum to European Industry, Operational users, Defence analysts and Specialists to review the state of the art in science, applications and operational use of Thermal Infra-Red (TIR) space-borne assets for Defence and Security. The event, which was a user consultation, focussed on the collection of information on European needs for high spatial and temperature resolution Thermal InfraRed capabilities, in view of possible development to be carried out by ESA.

Themes
The following topics were addressed:
- State of the art of research and applications for Defence and Security with space-borne TIR
- Future plans and current operational TIR space-borne capabilities for Defence and Security
- Needs for high resolution TIR by stakeholders involved in Defence and Security

The Programme Committee invited contributions addressing:
- Requirements in Security Infra-Red Element from Defence and Security players
- Examples of space-borne TIR applications in the Defence and Security domain
- Thermal Infra-Red systems for Defence and Security: airborne, space, technology capacity and future developments

Venue and dates
The event, organised by the European Space Agency (ESA) in co-operation with the Royal Military School of Belgium (RMS) was held at the premises of RMS, Brussels, Belgium from 1 to 2 October 2008.

Participation
The event was open to industry and representatives of national and international organisations involved in Defence and Security issues in Europe.

Keywords: high resolution Thermal InfraRed (TIR) capability of strategic interest for Europe Dual-use European Security IR Element, Defence and Security issues in Europe, workshop, call for papers.