RAMSES is one of the first large-scale prototypes of an operational Earth Observation (EO) application system. It implements a complex infrastructure for the extensive support of a thematic EO application system, which focuses on the detection and monitoring of oil spills. Since EO application systems are usually built on top of a set of generic functions, this paper analyses and assesses the RAMSES infrastructure in order to form a generic EO application framework. This framework should mainly support the collaborative development and customization of emerging EO application systems by maximizing the use of already existing system facilities. Furthermore, it should support the flexible extension and rapid reconfiguration of workflows as the business changes. Results of our analyses show that the RAMSES infrastructure does not cover all requirements of an EO application framework. We therefore introduce advanced design concepts and propose a new framework architecture that structurally controls the inherent complexity of the interdisciplinary domain of EO application systems.