FAQ

All the Copernicus/Sentinels material is produced in agreement with the EC directives and published on the Copernicus webpage for free downloads: http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/Copernicus 

In particular, a wide range of material is available on: 

• Images with the side terms and conditions on using images: http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/content/search?SearchText=copernicus+gmes&img=1 
• Videos with the side terms and conditions for using videos: http://www.esa.int/spaceinvideos/content/search?SearchText=copernicus+gmes 
• Copernicus briefs: http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/Copernicus/Focus_on_Copernicus_applications 
• Sentinels technical facts sheets and Copernicus standard presentation: http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/Copernicus/Downloads 

Moreover, all the materials we have on the processing and applications of Sentinel data is published on the ESA portal for EO Education and Training: https://earth.esa.int/web/guest/eo-education-and-training 

As well as for training courses, we have other resources on the applications and processing of Sentinel data, such as a series of video trainings in French on the principles of (SAR) Synthetic Aperture Radar, and the processing of Sentinel-1 data using the Sentinels Applications Platform (SNAP) ESA software toolbox: https://earth.esa.int/web/guest/eo-education-and-training/sar-basics-snap-course

Copernicus is the Earth observation component of the European Union’s Space Programme, looking at our planet and its environment to benefit all European and global citizens.

The European Commission manages the Programme. It is implemented in partnership with the Member States, the European Space Agency (ESA), the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT), the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), the Joint Research Centre (JRC), EU Agencies,  and Mercator Océan International.

Copernicus is served by a set of dedicated satellites (the Sentinel families) and Contributing Missions (existing commercial and public satellites). The Sentinel satellites are specifically designed to meet the needs of the Copernicus services and their users. Since the launch of Sentinel-1A in 2014, the European Union set in motion a process to place a constellation of more than 20 satellites in orbit before 2030.

Copernicus also collects information from in situ systems such as ground stations, which deliver data acquired by a multitude of sensors on the ground, at sea or in the air.

The Copernicus services transform the wealth of data collected by satellites and in-situ sensors into value-added information by processing and analysing it. Data sets stretching back for decades are made comparable and searchable, thus ensuring the monitoring of changes; patterns are examined and used to create better forecasts, for example, on the ocean and the atmosphere. Maps are created from imagery, features and anomalies are identified and statistical information is extracted.

These value-adding activities are streamlined through six thematic streams of Copernicus services:

• Atmosphere
• Marine
• Land
• Climate change
• Security
• Emergency

More information can be found on the Copernicus website.

Images and videos on Copernicus can also be found on the ESA webpage. Furthermore, the website contains useful summaries of key elements of Copernicus  and its applications. 

By choosing the name Copernicus we are paying homage to a great European scientist and observer: Nicolaus Copernicus. The Copernicus theory of the heliocentric universe is considered by many to be the main precursor of modern science.

Copernicus opened to people an infinite universe, previously limited by the rotation of the planets and the sun around the Earth and created a world without borders. Humanity was able to benefit from his insight and this set-in motion the spirit of scientific research which allowed us to have a better understanding of the world we live in. This spirit of discovery and of pushing the boundaries of knowledge is the same spirit behind Copernicus and its mission to better our understanding of our planet and improve our lives on it.

Copernicus is part of the European Union Space Programme, managed by the European Commission and which bolsters the EU Space policy in the fields of Earth observation, but also Satellite Navigation, Connectivity, Space Research and Innovation, as well as supporting investments in critical infrastructure and disruptive technologies.

While striving to strengthen existing European space assets and services, the EU Space Programme also targets start-ups and SMEs which develop innovative solutions based on space technologies, data, and services. The EU Space Programme supports the European space industry and promotes the emergence of a European ‘New Space’ ecosystem fostering entrepreneurship, innovation, and new funding opportunities.

The following flagship components deliver European space-based services on a daily basis: 

• COPERNICUS is the European Earth observation (EO) system. It supports the management of the environment, helps to mitigate the effects of climate change, and ensures safety and civil security across Europe. Copernicus is the world’s first provider of ‘big’ space data.
• GALILEO is a global satellite navigation and positioning system (GNSS) on which numerous EU economic sectors rely, from transport and agriculture to border management and search and rescue. Its 20cm accuracy makes Galileo a game changer for autonomous driving and commercial drones. Already more than 2.5 billion smartphones are Galileo-enabled.
• EGNOS is the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service: a reliable navigation signal improving the navigation services to aviation, maritime and land-based users over more than 30 countries, and already operational in 426 airports and helipads.

In February 2022, the European Commission proposed two new flagship initiatives to boost satellite-based secure connectivity and Space Traffic Management:

• IRIS2, the EU space-based secure connectivity system that will ensure worldwide access to secure and cost-effective satellite communications services, for governmental communications and commercial use. It aims to protect critical infrastructures, support surveillance and crisis management, as well as enable high-speed broadband everywhere in Europe to best anticipate future challenges of our economy.
• Space Traffic Management. The exponential applications of space services involve more and more satellites, thus more traffic in space. As the congestion of satellites and debris threaten the viability of space infrastructure, the European Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy have presented an EU approach on Space Traffic Management (STM). This will further strengthen the Union’s space surveillance and tracking capabilities (already providing collision avoidance services to more than 260 European spacecraft), and set clear standards and regulation for a safe, sustainable, and secure use of space.

The EU Space Programme is implemented by the European Commission in close cooperation with the EU Member States, the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA), the European Space Agency (ESA), EUMETSAT and many other stakeholders. Ensuring effective and efficient cooperation and coordination between these actors is essential to optimise the impact of European policies and investment in space. The Programme's main targets are decision-makers, public authorities, EU commercial and private users and others, such as researchers and nongovernmental organisations. Ultimately, the Programme serves the needs of EU citizens as a whole. The information gathered by the EU-owned satellites and the services which they provide are a public good, freely accessible to all.

The budget for Copernicus is comprised within the budget for the Space Programme. In general, budgets are set at the EU level for 7 years.

The 2014-2021 budget amounted of c. €4.7 billion. For the 2021-2027 period, the European Commission confirmed the political agreement on the Space Regulation reached in December 2020. The Space Programme, with the largest budget ever for Space at €14.88 billion, encompasses all EU space activities in one single Space Programme Regulation.

The Space Programme will ensure the continuity and evolution of the three existing flagship programmes Galileo, Copernicus and EGNOS. It will also support new initiatives on space surveillance (SSA), including Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST), Space Weather and Near-Earth Object (NEO), and satellite communications (GOVSATCOM). The Space Programme will contribute to the green and digital transformations of Union's economy, as well as to its resilience.

The funding has been broken down as follows:

• Galileo and EGNOS: €9.01 billion
• Copernicus: €5.42 billion
• SSA and GOVSATCOM: €442 million

More information can be found at on the websites of the European Council of the European Union and DG DEFIS.

All Copernicus services are already operational with data from seven Copernicus Sentinel satellites, as well as a number of Contributing Missions from other public and private operators. It is the largest provider of Earth observation data and the third largest data provider in the world.

The free, full, and open Copernicus data is being used by thousands of users in the public sector, the research and scientific community, SMEs and start-ups to create satellite-enabled products and services, resulting in the creation of new highly qualified jobs in Europe.

The Year 2023 marked the 25th anniversary of Copernicus. It was a year of celebrating and appraisal.

Born from a visionary idea in 1998 with the Baveno Manifesto and originally known as GMES (Global Monitoring for Environmental Security), Copernicus has exceeded all expectations, emerging as a global leader in Earth Observation. With a fleet of seven Sentinel satellites, advanced sensors and cutting-edge models, Copernicus provides a staggering amount of free data and information services daily to hundreds of thousands of users. This unprecedented success has not only transformed Earth Observation but has also fostered economic growth and created tens of thousands of jobs[1]. Copernicus truly embodies the power of innovation and its ability to shape a better future.

This 25th anniversary was celebrated in Stockholm. During the day the main actors of Copernicus success story were one after another on stage to present the achievement and the path designed for the future. This day event and recording can be found at https://www.copernicus25.eu/ 

More on the milestones and key moments of Copernicus are described on the Observer article: https://www.copernicus.eu/en/news/news/observer-looking-back-25-years-copernicus-milestones-key-moments

We already do! Some examples where European space policy is already providing practical support are:

• Responding to natural disasters: Since 2017, Copernicus maps showing the extent and magnitude of damage have helped rescue teams deal with forest fires (Italy, Spain, Greece, and Portugal), earthquakes (Mexico and Turkey), hurricanes (countries hit by hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria), and floods (Ireland, Germany), amongst others.
• Saving lives at sea: Copernicus supports the European Border and Coast Guard Agency's missions in the Mediterranean, helping spot unsafe vessels and rescuing people. Galileo can be used on all the merchant vessels worldwide, bringing increased accuracy and more resilient positioning for safer navigation.
• Search and Rescue: A new Galileo service reduces the time it takes to detect a person equipped with a distress beacon to less than 10 minutes in a variety of locations including at sea, in mountains or deserts, and in urban areas.
• Monitoring oil spills: The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) uses Copernicus data for oil spill and vessel monitoring.
• Landing of airplanes: more than 400 airports and helipads in almost all EU countries are currently using EGNOS, making landing in difficult weather conditions more secure, thus avoiding delays and re-routing.
• Road safety: From April 2018, Galileo is integrated in every new car model sold in Europe, supporting the eCall emergency response system. From 2019, it is also integrated in digital tachographs of lorries to ensure the respect of driving time rules and improve road safety.
• Agriculture: 80% of farmers using satellite navigation for precision farming are EGNOS users. And Copernicus data is used for crop monitoring and yield forecasting.
• Protecting satellites: EU SST already provides collision avoidance services to more than 350 satellites distributed in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) and Geostationary Orbit (GEO).

More information can be found here.

European citizens, ranging from policymakers, researchers, commercial to private users, as well as the global scientific community can benefit in many ways from the data and information provided by Copernicus.

Indeed, Copernicus supports a variety of applications in several non-space domains, which potentially impact businesses and organisations in day-to-day activities and operations:

• Agriculture
• Blue Economy
• Climate Change and Environment
• Development and Cooperation
• Energy and Natural Resources
• Forestry
• Health
• Insurance and Disaster Management
• Security and Defence
• Tourism
• Transport
• Urban Planning

International Cooperation is of significant importance to the Copernicus component.

Copernicus is supporting the EU’s role as a global actor and is contributing to solutions to common global challenges. The component's data policy provides full, open, and free-of-charge access to Copernicus data and information, in line with the international data sharing principles of the Group for Earth observation (GEO). Copernicus supports EuroGEOSS and is the European contribution to the GEO's Global Earth observation System of Systems (GEOSS).

In light of Copernicus’ data policy, and since the component has moved into an operational phase, access to Copernicus data and information draws increasing interest from various international partners. In this context, the EU seeks reciprocity in the data exchanges for the benefit of the Copernicus component.

The main objectives for Copernicus international cooperation are guided by its full, free, and open data policy in support of tackling global challenges and providing opportunities for the European Earth observation community for creating jobs and growth.

They comprise:

• EstablishingCopernicus as a global best practice and accepted standard internationally.
• Rallying support from third countries to policies and other initiatives of the European Union.
• Promoting the uptake of Copernicus data globally in order to maximise its societal value in solving global challenges.
• Involving third countries in Copernicus, as appropriate, and maximise the efficiency of the EU’s investments into Earth observation in light of co-ordination with international partners.
• Creating the conditions for – on the basis of reciprocity – integrating the data and information acquired by international partners into the Earth observation data management system in Europe.
• Facilitating access to international markets (i.e., Beyond EU borders) for European EO companies by creating the conditions for them to be able to export high-value added and knowledge-intensive products and services based on Copernicus data and services.

International activities under the Copernicus component include:

• Copernicus contribution to multilateral initiatives
• International cooperation on data exchange
• Internationalisation of Earth observation companies

Copernicus is a civilian program under civilian control, so the security aspect is only for civil security. Copernicus supports EU policies in response to Europe’s security challenges, improving crisis prevention, preparedness and response through its three Security Services. The services are:

• Border Surveillance
• Maritime Surveillance
• Support to EU External and Security Actions (SESA)

The Border Surveillance component, managed by Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, aims at securing the EU's borders, managing migration more effectively and improving the internal security of the European Union, while safeguarding the principle of free movement of persons.

In the maritime surveillance area, responsibility of EMSA, the main objective is to support a better understanding and improved monitoring of human activities at sea, with applications including fisheries control, customs, law enforcement, marine environment pollution monitoring, and others.

The Copernicus security service component on Support to EU External and Security Actions (SESA) is a European geospatial information service that assists the EU and its Member States in the framework of applicable Union policies and legislation along the following main policy groups, associated to key responsibilities across EU Institutions and Member States:

1. Union external action supporting the Union and its Member States
2. Security challenges facing the Union and its Member States
3. Monitoring of the implementation of EU Law

The Copernicus security service component on SESA is managed by EU SatCen.

Please note that data and information products of the Copernicus Security services can only be accessed by authorised users. The authorised users include EU and EFTA national administrations with responsibilities in respective areas, relevant EU bodies and institutions, as well as selected international organisations such as the United Nations.

Copernicus supports the fashion industry's journey towards sustainability by addressing its significant environmental impact. 

The growing demand for clothing has led to increased carbon emissions, making fashion the fourth most environmentally harmful industry. Copernicus provides crucial data to drive positive change. Cotton production, a major stake in fashion's environmental cost, faces challenges such as pesticide use, excessive water consumption, and ethical concerns. 

Earth observation (EO) data, such as the one gathered by the Copernicus Sentinels, empowers cotton growers to adopt sustainable practices by monitoring water usage, soil health, and chemical application. EO data aids in measuring environmental impacts, guiding brands and retailers toward sustainable choices. Amid climate change, Copernicus tools enhance forecasting and climate adaptation for cotton cultivation. Initiatives like Climate Change Impact on Cotton (CCIC) and Fashion For Biodiversity Solutions (FFBS) utilise Copernicus data to enable climate-conscious supply chains and enforce organic production labelling. In this context, Copernicus plays a vital role in fostering a more sustainable fashion industry through regulation and innovation.

 You can find more information here.

Earth observation data from Copernicus is harnessed for healthcare applications, aiding disease tracking, healthcare policy improvement, and economic impact assessment. 

Copernicus's global and temporal reach enables geospatial analysis of air quality, temperature, and disease vectors, enhancing our understanding of ecosystem-health dynamics. For example, Sentinel satellites data is employed to track vector-borne diseases like the West Nile Virus, enabling prediction models for disease spread. Additionally, the European Climate and Health Observatory, partnered with Copernicus Services, researches climate-sensitive diseases. Furthermore, Copernicus's Thematic Hub on Health serves as a user-friendly entry point for relevant Copernicus products. Moreover, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Copernicus's Rapid Action Coronavirus Earth observation dashboard assessed socio-economic impacts. 

Within this context, Copernicus accelerates healthcare knowledge and preventive policy development by addressing environmental and climatic factors. 

You can find more information here.

Copernicus plays a vital role in detecting and monitoring marine plastic litter, a significant threat to water resources. Plastic pollution, stemming from improper disposal, poses dangers to marine life and ecosystems. 

Copernicus employs ocean current models, particle tracking models, and artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor plastic movement and sources. These tools help analyse plastic aggregation patterns and predict three-dimensional transport pathways. Initiatives like the Plastic Litter Projects use Copernicus Sentinel-2 data, UAV imagery, and hyperspectral satellite data to identify and quantify plastic litter. These efforts enhance plastic litter detection and tracking, contributing to global strategies for marine pollution prevention and reduction. By combining satellite data, AI, and ground-based validation, Copernicus aids in safeguarding water resources and mitigating plastic pollution.

You can find more information here.

Forests play a vital role in global health, the environment, and economies. However, forest degradation poses a threat to these benefits. 

The EU's comprehensive policy framework, in line with international standards, focuses on climate resilience and forest product value. Copernicus’ Earth observation data offers essential support in monitoring forest health, compliance, and policy implementation. For example, Copernicus aids in tracking greenhouse gas emissions, supporting initiatives like the Paris Agreement and Kyoto Protocol. Furthermore, it helps combat deforestation through accurate forest mapping, as seen in initiatives like the Starling service. 

Copernicus contributes to EU strategies for responsible land use, biodiversity, and climate objectives. This data-rich resource is a key ally in safeguarding forests, enabling sustainable management, and fostering a thriving forestry sector and healthier forests. 

You can find more information here.

Glaciers play a vital role in the Earth's ecosystem by supplying freshwater and regulating climate, but they are rapidly melting due to climate change. Copernicus Sentinel satellites provide essential tools for monitoring and understanding these changes. 

With high-resolution imagery and stable sensing geometry, Sentinel-2 tracks snow distribution, ice melt rates, and glacier dynamics. The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) estimates glacier mass balance, contributing to sea level rise assessment. The Copernicus Glacier Service (CGS) uses Sentinel data to monitor glacier velocities and dynamics in Norway and Svalbard. Future missions like CRISTAL will enhance monitoring capabilities, enabling timely and accurate measurements of global ice sheets and glaciers. 

Copernicus empowers researchers, policymakers, and communities to address the critical challenges posed by melting glaciers and rising sea levels.

You can find more information here.

The Mediterranean region is witnessing record-breaking heatwaves, with temperatures soaring to unprecedented levels. Such extreme events are directly linked to the accelerated warming of the region, surpassing previous records in intensity, duration, and surface impact. Marine species and habitats, including corals and fish, face severe stress and bleaching, altering migration patterns and reproductive success.

The Copernicus Marine Service plays a pivotal role in monitoring and addressing the escalating threat of marine heatwaves in the Mediterranean. These prolonged periods of elevated ocean temperatures, caused by global warming, are wreaking havoc on marine life and ecosystems. The service employs advanced satellite technology and ocean observation systems to comprehensively analyse the impact of these heatwaves, particularly within marine protected areas.

The Copernicus Marine Service's data-driven solutions empower informed decision-making to protect vulnerable marine environments, encourage sustainable development, and combat the adverse effects of anthropogenic heat on the delicate balance of our oceans. Collective action is crucial to ensure a brighter, more resilient future for our oceans and marine ecosystems.

You can read more here.

Humanitarian crises pose threats to widespread health, safety, and security, often leaving vulnerable populations in dire need. Copernicus, with its Earth observation data, plays an essential, yet lesser-known, role in efficiently providing humanitarian aid. 

EU's Copernicus satellites offer critical insights, aiding decision-makers in disaster planning, response, and recovery. The Copernicus Emergency Management Service (CEMS) provides geospatial products and analyses, aiding disaster risk reduction and emergency response. At the same time, the Copernicus Service in Support of EU External and Security Actions (SESA) offers custom maps and reports for early warning and situational awareness. In general, Earth observation data assists in monitoring displaced populations, assessing food security, and evaluating severe weather impact. 

Copernicus's role extends beyond crisis response, however, supporting anticipatory planning and evacuation strategies. Overall, Copernicus empowers humanitarian efforts, contributing to a safer world by leveraging space-based services and unbiased information. 

You can find more information here.

The finance and insurance sectors are increasingly recognising the critical importance of assessing and managing climate-related risks. Climate change impacts, as highlighted by the IPCC, pose significant financial risks, potentially leading to improper asset valuation and financial instability. To address this, the European Central Bank and the Task Force for Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) emphasise the need for proper assessment and disclosure of climate risks. Copernicus, with its Earth observation (EO) data, supports the finance and insurance sectors by providing accurate and reliable insights.

EO data from Copernicus enables efficient risk assessment, valuation, and adaptation strategies. In the finance sector, EO data aids in commodity trading, assessing crop health, estimating yields, and supporting investment decisions. For insurance companies, Copernicus data assists in verifying claims through pre- and post-incident satellite imagery, predicting damages caused by extreme events, and evaluating climate-related risks to premiums and claims. The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) offers high-resolution climate projections, enabling businesses to evaluate physical risks associated with climate change and adapt their operations.

As climate risks continue to grow, Copernicus data plays a pivotal role in facilitating informed decision-making, promoting financial stability, and supporting sustainable investments. 

You can find more information here.

Europe's vast coastline, spanning over 68,000 km, is crucial for ecosystems, livelihoods, and the economy. Luckily, the Copernicus Marine Environment Monitoring Service (CMEMS) is playing a pivotal role in safeguarding coastal health through its 'Touring Europe’s Coastlines' article series. This initiative explores key coastal areas, spotlighting CMEMS’ contributions. Using satellite and in situ data, including Copernicus Sentinel-2, CMEMS assesses coastal water health. The High-Resolution Ocean Colour products, derived from Sentinel-2 data processing, provide valuable insights. Examples include monitoring algal blooms affecting Belgium's shores and addressing bacterial pollution risks for swimmers in Marseille. Copernicus also aids in monitoring water quality and flooding in Venice. The series showcases how Copernicus supports informed decision-making, ensuring sustainable coastal practices and protection.

You can find more information here

The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) presents the annual European State of the Climate (ESOTC) report, offering vital data on the changing climate. 

As global temperatures rise due to increased greenhouse gas concentrations, Europe warms faster than the global average. ESOTC serves as a benchmark for climate assessments, providing transparent and detailed information to support evidence-based decision-making. The report highlights key climate indicators, insights, and analysis of climate conditions, emphasising extreme events and their long-term context. The latest edition reveals 2022 as another year of extremes for Europe, with record-breaking temperatures, heatwaves, and droughts. The report also addresses greenhouse gas concentrations, ice sheet melt, sea level rise, and more. The data underscores the urgency of implementing strategies to secure a liveable future, and provides meaningful data for policymakers, journalists, professionals, and scientists, as well as the general public. 

You can find more information here.

Copernicus plays a vital role in supporting sustainable tourism through advanced Earth observation (EO) capabilities that provide crucial environmental data for tourist activities. EO helps assess climate, marine, land, and atmospheric conditions, influencing decisions on vacation destinations and activities. 

Copernicus data, available to all, assists tourists in making informed choices and enables the tourism industry to adapt to changing conditions. It provides indicators like Climate Suitability for Tourism, helping travellers decide where to go based on climate conditions. The Mountain Tourism Meteorology and Snow Indicators offer insights for ski resorts, while the Fire Weather Index estimates fire danger. Copernicus data aids in long-term planning, risk management, and protection of natural areas, enhancing safe and sustainable tourism experiences.

You can find more information here.

Cultural heritage sites hold significant historic, artistic, and social value, but they are vulnerable to natural and human-made threats like climate change, flooding, and urban sprawl. Copernicus plays a crucial role in preserving global cultural heritage sites by using Earth observation (EO) data to monitor and protect these sites. 

Copernicus services, including Climate Change (C3S), Atmosphere (CAMS), Marine (CMEMS), and Land Monitoring (CLMS), provide data, information products, and analysis tools to support the preservation of these sites. Initiatives like the Copernicus Cultural Heritage Task Force, established in collaboration with UNESCO and UNITAR, use satellite images to evaluate and protect cultural heritage. EO data assists in disaster risk management, response, treatment, and continuous monitoring of heritage sites. Copernicus' open data policy enhances the effectiveness of cultural heritage preservation efforts worldwide.

You can find more information here.

In a rapidly changing transportation landscape, Copernicus offers free and open data that revolutionises smart mobility solutions. With growing demands and environmental concerns, Copernicus integrates Earth observation data to enable intelligent transport networks, and it is perfectly aligned with the EU's "Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy" in achieving a greener and efficient transport system. 

Earth observation data combined with Galileo's navigation signals empower real-time monitoring, traffic management, and smart services like ridesharing. Copernicus contributes to efficient road and rail transport by monitoring ground stability through the European Ground Motion Service (EGMS), enhancing safety and infrastructure planning. Additionally, Copernicus supports sustainable transportation solutions for rural areas, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and congestion. Copernicus' data-driven approach transforms transportation, ensuring a cleaner, safer, and more resilient future. For urban planners, engineers, and authorities, Copernicus' applications for smart mobility offer valuable tools. 

You can find more information here.

Copernicus plays a crucial role in the EU's sustainable finance efforts aligned with the European Green Deal and climate crisis response. 

As the EU focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting ecosystems, sustainable finance aims to align financial markets with sustainable goals. Earth observation helps integrate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations into investment decisions. Copernicus offers unbiased, comprehensive, and verifiable data for businesses to quantify ESG targets, ensuring transparent practices. It aids climate mitigation by monitoring greenhouse gases with high accuracy and supports renewable energy applications. Copernicus also monitors biodiversity and forestry, enabling informed decisions for species preservation and ecosystem protection. In marine sectors, Copernicus Marine Service ensures sustainable management of ocean resources. 

By providing reliable data, Copernicus empowers businesses to contribute to a sustainable future and supports the EU's sustainable finance policy. 

You can find more information here.

Oceans play a crucial role in the global ecosystem and economy, providing essential benefits such as climate regulation, food sources, and economic opportunities. However, human activities like overfishing, pollution, and climate change threaten marine ecosystems. 

The European Commission prioritises ocean protection through the Green Deal, aiming for a modern, resource-efficient, and carbon-neutral economy. Copernicus' satellite data, offered by the Copernicus Marine Service (CMEMS), supports the sustainable development of the Blue Economy. The service monitors ocean parameters like temperature, sea level, and currents, aiding in biodiversity conservation, coastal resilience, waste reduction, and responsible fishing practices. By providing high-quality, free, and open data, Copernicus contributes to a circular economy in marine sectors and aligns with the EU's Green Deal goals. 

You can find more information here.

The wildfire season in Europe is marked by rising temperatures and intensified fires, causing ecological devastation, economic losses, and threats to human settlements. Efforts to combat these fires are challenged by increasing urbanisation and extreme weather events. The European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) increasingly reports of hectares of forest burning, highlighting a concerning trend spanning several years. 

Copernicus Emergency Management Service (CEMS) and Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) provide crucial support in the fight against natural and human-related wildfires. CEMS employs satellites for rapid mapping and monitoring fire evolution, aiding emergency response. CAMS utilizes the Global Fire Assimilation System (GFAS) to estimate fire intensity and emissions. 

Thanks to these contributions, Copernicus empowers authorities to assess fire scale, location, and impact, facilitating targeted emergency response. 

You can find more information here.

The Birds Directive, enacted by the European Union in 1979, aimed to safeguard native European bird species and their vital habitats. Birds serve as indicators of ecosystem health, offering insights into environmental conditions. Despite conservation efforts, challenges persist due to urbanisation, agriculture, pollution, and climate change. According to the European Environment Agency's 2022 report, only 47% of European bird species have healthy populations.

Space-based monitoring with Copernicus and its Land Monitoring Service (CLMS) plays a transformative role. CLMS offers comprehensive, high-quality data on land cover and use. Researchers leverage this data to study habitat preferences, behaviour shifts, and threats. For example, CLMS data revealed habitat loss impacting species like the little bustard due to olive grove expansion in Spain. The High-Resolution Snow and Ice (HRSI) products aid in understanding nesting preferences of alpine birds like the snow finch, crucial for addressing climate change impacts.

The Copernicus Land Monitoring Service empowers informed conservation decisions, bridging the gap between human civilisation and environmental protection, aligning with the original vision of the Birds Directive.

You can read more here.

Droughts pose a growing threat, impacting agriculture, water resources and ecosystems globally. Copernicus leverages advanced satellite technology and data analytics to revolutionise Earth observation and provide crucial aid during periods of drought. 

The Copernicus Emergency Management Service (CEMS) forefronts drought challenges by offering crucial support through early warning systems, preparedness measures, and emergency responses. It provides essential information to policymakers, emergency services, and the public during crises. CEMS Drought Observatories integrate Earth observation data to monitor and assess drought impacts. They produce key indicators such as the Combined Drought Indicator (CDI) and "Meteorological Drought Tracking," aiding proactive management, response planning, and resilient strategies. Thanks to these contribution, Observatories like the European and Global Drought Observatories empower decision-makers, stakeholders, and the public with tools to monitor and assess drought situations. They offer insights, forecasts, and early warnings, enhancing drought resilience and management. 

You can find more information here.

The Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) aids in managing seasonal allergies through satellite and in situ data analysis. It monitors and forecasts allergens like birch, olive, grass, ragweed, and alder pollen, crucial for allergic rhinitis or hay fever sufferers. CAMS provides four-day pollen concentration forecasts for common allergens, sourced from over 600 pollen monitoring stations across Europe. Copernicus’ contribution to reliable forecasts, impacting 10-30% of the global population, aid in managing hay fever symptoms. Additionally, innovative tools relying on CAMS data like PASYFO offer personalised forecasts, helping users prepare for allergen exposure. Combining pollen forecasts with air quality data in the CAMS Atmosphere Data Store is of great help to health professionals and individuals, ensuring informed decisions regarding health and allergy management.

You can find more information here

Copernicus is a key contributor to the resilience and growth of European farmers. This is perfectly exemplified by the potato industry, which faces challenges due to climate change, diseases, and growing demand. 

Copernicus Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 satellites offer vital support by providing high-resolution imagery for disease monitoring, soil health, and crop growth. These satellites offer timely and detailed insights that empower farmers to make informed decisions for efficient practices and increased yields. VITO Remote Sensing's "WatchITgrow" uses Copernicus data to estimate potato yields and growth stages, aiding in harvest predictions. GEO4A's "HARVIC" platform offers real-time crop monitoring, optimising productivity and business processes. The STARGATE project leverages Copernicus data to assess potato crop nitrogen status, improving fertilisation practices. Copernicus data contributes to a digital, sustainable, and high-yield potato industry, ensuring food security and environmental friendliness. 

You can find more information here.

The Copernicus infrastructure is composed of three categories of items: the space segment, the in-situ component, and the ground segment.

The space segment comprises Earth observation satellites which provide the data exploited by the Copernicus services are split into two groups of missions:

• The Copernicus Sentinels, which are developed for the specific needs of Copernicus. Copernicus Sentinel-1, -2, -3 and -6 are dedicated satellites, while Sentinel-4 and -5 are instruments onboard EUMETSAT’s weather satellites. Note that Sentinel-5P, which is a precursor to Sentinel-5, is also a dedicated satellite. In the future, these six Copernicus Sentinel will be complemented by six more Expansion Missions, which will expand the data coverage of Copernicus and will allow the enhancement of its service provision.
• The Contributing Missions, which are operated by National, European, or International organisations and already provide a wealth of data for Copernicus services.

The European Space Agency (ESA) is responsible for the development of the space segment of Copernicus and operates the Sentinel-1, Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-5P satellites. Additionally, ESA delivers the land products from Sentinel-3.

EUMETSAT is responsible for operating the Sentinel-3 and Sentinel-6 satellites and delivering the marine products and will also operate and deliver products from the Sentinel-4, and -5 instruments.

ESA and EUMETSAT will coordinate the delivery of data from the tens of satellites that form the Contributing Missions.

Copernicus services rely also on data from in situ monitoring networks (e.g., ground based weather stations, ocean buoys and air quality monitoring networks) to provide robust integrated information and to calibrate and validate the data from satellites.

In situ data are an essential and integrated part of Copernicus and are used extensively every day by the Copernicus services and the space component to deliver products services that are requested by end users. 

The in-situ networks are managed by Members States and international bodies and make data available to the services by agreement.

The European Environment Agency is leading the cataloguing of the in-situ requirements of the Copernicus services, developing frameworks and pilot agreements to ensure access to all the relevant data in a timely and sustainable way.

The Copernicus space segment component is completed by a ground segment whose role is to provide access to Sentinel and Contributing Mission data.

The ground segment, which is spread geographically, relies on existing infrastructure. It is delivered by international agencies (ESA and EUMETSAT) as well as national public and private facilities.

The ground segment also comprises the "mission control", which operates the Sentinel satellites and the facilities to handle the data received from the Copernicus Sentinels and elaborate the data into products for Copernicus Services.

Copernicus Sentinel-1 provides all-weather, day and night radar imagery for land and ocean services. Satellite Sentinel-1A was launched on 3 April 2014. Sentinel-1B was launched on 25 April 2016 but unfortunately stopped working on 23 December 2021. 

Copernicus Sentinel-2 provides high-resolution optical imagery for land services. It provides for example, imagery of vegetation, soil and water cover, inland waterways and coastal areas. Sentinel-2 also delivers information for emergency services. The twin satellites Sentinel-2A and Sentinel-2B were respectively launched on 22 June 2015 and on 7 March 2017.

Copernicus Sentinel-3 provides high-accuracy optical, radar and altimetry data for marine and land services. It measures variables such as sea-surface topography, sea- and land-surface temperature, ocean colour and land colour with high-end accuracy and reliability. The twin satellites Sentinel-3A and Sentinel-3B were respectively launched on 16 February 2016 and on 25 April 2018. EUMETSAT operates the satellites and delivers the marine mission, while ESA delivers the land mission.

Copernicus Sentinel-4 will provide data for atmospheric composition monitoring. Its objective is to monitor key air quality trace gases and aerosols over Europe at high spatial resolution with a fast (hourly) revisit time. It will be a payload embarked on EUMETSAT's Meteosat Third Generation (MTG), and its launch is planned for 2024.

Copernicus Sentinel-5 will also be dedicated to atmospheric composition monitoring. It will be a payload embarked on a EUMETSAT's Metop Second Generation (Metop-SG) and planned for a 2025 launch. It will provide accurate measurements of key atmospheric constituents such as ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, methane, formaldehyde, and aerosol properties.

Copernicus Sentinel-5P is a satellite mission launched on 13 October 2017. It is a gap filler mission aiming to provide data continuity until the launch of Sentinel-5, the dedicated atmospheric Copernicus mission.

Copernicus Sentinel-6 provides high accuracy altimetry for measuring global sea-surface height, primarily for operational oceanography and for climate studies. It is a cooperative mission developed in partnership between Europe (EU, ESA and EUMETSAT) and the U.S. (NOAA and NASA). It was launched on 21 November 2020.

Additional information on the Copernicus Sentinels can be found here.

There is a wide range of material dedicated to Sentinel-1, including information on the following topics: 

• Mission overview.
• Instrumentation.
• Introduction to SAR imagery and Copernicus Sentinel-1. 
• Revisit time and ascending/descending passes of Copernicus Sentinel-1.
• Disaster management from space with Copernicus Sentinel-1. 
• Monitoring volcanoes with Copernicus Sentinel-1 (no scientific explanation). 
• Wave height monitoring with models and Copernicus Sentinel-1 data (no scientific explanation).
• Maritime monitoring with Copernicus Sentinel-1 (can be very useful to explain different image modes).

There is a wide range of material dedicated to Copernicus Sentinel-2, including information on the following topics: 

• Mission overview.
• Introduction to Copernicus Sentinel-2 applications.
• The orbit of Copernicus Sentinel-2, revisit time, ascending/descending passes, and what it means to be in a sun-synchronous orbit. 

There is a wide range of material dedicated to Copernicus Sentinel-3, including information on the following topics:

• Mission overview.
• Instrumentation.
• Introduction on Copernicus Sentinel-3 for Oceans. 
• Visualisation of measurements by Copernicus Sentinel-3 Synthetic Aperture Radar Altimeter.
• Sea and Land Surface Temperature Radiometer of Copernicus Sentinel-3. 
• Ocean and Land Colour Instrument of Copernicus Sentinel-3. 

There is a wide range of material dedicated to Copernicus Sentinel-4, including information on the following topics:

• Mission overview.
• Instrumentation.

There is a wide range of material dedicated to Copernicus Sentinel-5P, including information on the following topics: 

• Satellite description.
• Instrumentation.
• Sentinel-5P infographic.
• Revisit time and swath width of Copernicus Sentinel- 5P. 

There is a wide range of material dedicated to Copernicus Sentinel-5, including information on the following topics:

• Mission overview.
• Instrumentation.

There is a wide range of material dedicated to Copernicus Sentinel-6, including information on the following topics: 

• Mission overview.
• Instrumentation.
• Six key facts about Copernicus Sentinel-6.
• Charting sea level with Copernicus Sentinel-6.

High-precision Ocean altimetry measurements with Copernicus Sentinel-6

The future of Copernicus includes new missions, aimed at bridging existing data gaps in support of EU policy and user needs. These are the six Expansion Missions, and more information is available at the links below:

• CHIME: Copernicus Hyperspectral Imaging Mission for the Environment.
• CIMR: Copernicus Imaging Microwave Radiometer.
• CO2M: Copernicus Anthropogenic Carbon Dioxide Monitoring.
• CRISTAL: Copernicus Polar Ice and Snow Topography Altimeter.
• LSTM: Copernicus Land Surface Temperature Monitoring.
• ROSE-L: Copernicus L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar.

In addition to its dedicated fleet of Sentinel satellites, Copernicus relies on the Copernicus Contributing Missions (CCMs). These missions, operated by Copernicus partners (both commercial and institutional), expand the data coverage of Copernicus and play a complementary role by providing additional data. More information on the CCMs can be found at the following links:

• Contributing Missions summary
• Interactive list of Contributing Missions 

OBSERVER: The Copernicus Contributing Missions – Creating opportunities for the European EO market

Copernicus services provide standardised, multi-purpose information common to a broad range of application areas relevant to EU policies, many of which are targeted at sustainability and are implemented at national or regional levels.

Copernicus services address six main thematic areas:

• Atmosphere. Copernicus Services related to the Earth’s atmosphere include monitoring for air quality and ultraviolet radiation forecasts, greenhouse gases and climate forcing.
• Marine. Copernicus Services relevant to the marine environment include monitoring for marine safety and transport, oil spill detection, water quality, weather forecasting and the polar environment.
• Land. CopernicusServices relevant to the land environment include monitoring for water management, agriculture and food security, land-use change, forest monitoring, soil quality, urban planning and natural protection services.
• Security. Copernicus Services for security support peace-keeping efforts, maritime surveillance and border control.
• Emergency. Copernicus Services for emergency management response help mitigating the effects of natural and manmade disasters such as floods, forest fires and earthquakes and contribute to humanitarian aid exercises.
• Climate change. Copernicus Services for monitoring climate change crosscut all of the above domains.

The vast majority of the Copernicus services data follow the full, free and open data policy.

However, note that the Copernicus Security service is accessible to authorised users only. Authorised users include relevant national and EU bodies and administrations and selected intergovernmental organisations (such as EFTA or the UN). Under exceptional circumstances, additional dissemination restrictions may be imposed for security reasons or the protection of third-party rights.

The implementation and operation of the Copernicus services has been delegated by the European Commission to dedicated service providers through a series of "Contribution Agreements". The service providers, which are generally referred to as "Copernicus Entrusted Entities", are the following ones:

• The European Commission DG Joint Research Centre (EC DG JRC) implements and operates the Copernicus Emergency Management Service (CEMS) and the global component of the Copernicus Land Monitoring Service (CLMS);
• The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) implements and operates the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) and the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S);
• The European Environment Agency (EEA) implements and operates the European and local components of the Copernicus Land Monitoring Service (CLMS);
• The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) implements and operates the Maritime Surveillance component of the Copernicus Security Service (CSS);
• The European Union Satellite Centre (EU SatCen) implements and operates the Support to EU External and Security Actions (SESA) component of the Copernicus Security Service (CSS);
• The European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) implements and operates the Border Surveillance component of the Copernicus Security Service (CSS);
• Mercator Océan International (MOi) implements and operates the Copernicus Marine Environment Monitoring Service (CMEMS).

The Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) provides continuous data and information on atmospheric composition. The service describes the current situation, forecasts the situation a few days ahead, and analyses consistently retrospective data records for recent years.

The Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service supports many applications in a variety of domains including health, environmental monitoring, renewable energies, meteorology and climatology.

The service focuses on five main areas:

• Air quality and atmospheric composition
• Ozone layer and ultra-violet radiation
• Emissions and surface fluxes
• Solar radiation
• Climate forcing

Below you can find a few examples of the applications of the activities performed by CAMS:

• It provides daily information on the global atmospheric composition by monitoring and forecasting constituents such as greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide and methane), reactive gases (e.g., carbon monoxide, oxidised nitrogen compounds, sulphur dioxide), ozone and aerosols.
• It provides near-real-time analysis and 4-day forecasts, as well as reanalysis, of the European air quality, thus enabling a permanent assessment of the air we breathe.
• It provides public and private organisations involved in solar energy usage with suitable and accurate information on the solar radiation resources at the Earth's surface, which is of major importance in domains like health, agriculture and renewable energies.

For a more detailed presentation of the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service, please refer to the service website.

The Copernicus Marine Service (CMEMS) provides regular and systematic reference information on the physical and biogeochemical state, variability and dynamics of the ocean and marine ecosystems for the global ocean and the European regional seas.

The observations and forecasts produced by the service support all marine applications, including:

• Marine safety
• Marine resources
• Coastal and marine environment
• Weather, seasonal forecasting and climate

For instance, the provision of data on currents, winds and sea ice help to improve ship routing services, offshore operations or search and rescue operations, thus contributing to marine safety.

The service also contributes to the protection and the sustainable management of living marine resources in particular for aquaculture, sustainable fisheries management or regional fishery organisations decision-making process.

Physical and marine biogeochemical components are useful for water quality monitoring and pollution control. Sea level rise is a key indicator of climate change and helps to assess coastal erosion. Sea surface temperature elevation has direct consequences on marine ecosystems and appearance of tropical cyclones. As a result of this, the service supports a wide range of coastal and marine environment applications.

Many of the data delivered by the service (e.g., temperature, salinity, sea level, currents, wind and sea ice) also play a crucial role in the domain of weather, climate and seasonal forecasting.

For a more detailed presentation of the Copernicus Marine Service, please refer to the service website.

The Copernicus Land Monitoring Service (CLMS) provides geographical information on land cover and its changes, land use, vegetation state, water cycle and earth surface energy variables. Such data is provided to a broad range of users in Europe and across the World in the field of environmental terrestrial applications.

It supports applications in a variety of domains such as spatial and urban planning, forest management, water management, agriculture and food security, nature conservation and restoration, rural development, ecosystem accounting and mitigation/adaptation to climate change.

CLMS is jointly implemented by the European Environment Agency and the European Commission DG Joint Research Centre (JRC) and has been operational since 2012.

CLMS consists of five main components:

• The systematic monitoring of biophysical parameters produces mainly a series of qualified bio-geophysical products on the status and evolution of the land surface. This is produced at a global scale every ten days with a mid-spatial resolution and is complemented by a long-term time series. The products are used to monitor vegetation, crops, water cycle, energy budget and terrestrial cryosphere variables.
• Land cover and land use mapping produces land cover classifications at various level of detail, both within a pan-European and global context. At the pan-European level, these are complemented by detailed layers on land cover characteristics, such as imperviousness, forests, grassland, water and wetness and small woody features. At global level, the land cover mapping follows the modular-hierarchical Land Cover Classification System of FAO.
• Thematic hot-spot mapping aims to provide tailored and more detailed information on specific areas of interest, known as hot-spots. Hotspots in the context of CLMS are prone to specific environmental challenges.
• Imagery and reference data provide satellite image mosaic in high and very high resolutions and reference datasets. This includes, on the one hand, satellite image mosaic from contributing missions covering the territory of Europe as well as Sentinel-2 image mosaic production at global level. On the other hand, it consists of reference datasets providing homogeneous pan-European coverage of some key geospatial themes, such as hydrography and elevation.
• The European Ground Motion Service (EGMS) provides consistent and reliable information regarding natural and anthropogenic ground motion over the Copernicus Participating Countries and across national borders, with millimetre accuracy. The EGMS represents a baseline for ground motion applications at continental, national and local level. 

For a more detailed presentation of CLMS, please refer to the service website.

The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) supports society by providing authoritative information about the past, present and future climate in Europe and the rest of the World.

The C3S mission is to support adaptation and mitigation policies of the European Union by providing consistent and data-driven information about climate change. C3S offers free and open access to climate data and tools based on the best available science. C3S listens to users and endeavours to help them meet their goals in dealing with the impacts of climate change.

C3S users include scientists, consultants, planners and policy makers, the media and the public. Its data and tools are used for a variety of purposes, including use cases like:

• Assessment of climate change impacts on biodiversity in Costa Rica
• Risk management for commodity trading at Marex Spectron
• Sustainable water management at a Heineken brewery

C3S relies on climate research carried out within the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) and responds to user requirements defined by the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS). C3S provides an important resource to the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS).

C3S is implemented by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) on behalf of the European Commission. ECMWF is an independent intergovernmental organisation serving its Member and Co-operating States and the broader community. The majority of C3S service elements are implemented by about 200 companies and organisations across Europe, which are selected based on competitive Invitations To Tender (ITTs).

C3S provides climate data and information on impacts on a range of topics and sectoral areas through the Climate Data Store (CDS). The CDS is designed to enable users to tailor services to more specific public or commercial needs.

C3S work complements the established range of meteorological and environmental services that each European country already has in place. C3S derives maximum benefit from the existing infrastructure and knowledge by involving national climate service providers as well as relevant academic communities in the implementation of C3S.

C3S shares updates on developments to the service at many meetings and workshops, including the annual General Assemblies. These meetings also allow members of the climate change community to join networking and brainstorming sessions to contribute to future developments of C3S.

C3S also offer technical support as well as training to users of the CDS, combining online learning with face-to-face events in most countries across Europe.

For a more detailed presentation of CLMS, please refer to the service website.

The Copernicus service for Security applications aims to support European Union policies by providing information in response to Europe’s security challenges. It improves crisis prevention, preparedness and response in three key areas:

• Border surveillance.
• Maritime surveillance.
• Support to EU External Action.

Border Surveillance

In the area of border surveillance, the main objectives are to reduce the death toll of illegal immigrants at sea, to increase the internal security of the European Union and to the fight against cross-border crime.

The European Commission entrusted FRONTEX with the border surveillance component of the Copernicus Security Service. The objective is to support the EU’s external border surveillance information exchange framework (EUROSUR) by providing near real time data on what is happening on land and sea around the EU’s borders.

Maritime Surveillance

In the area of maritime surveillance, the overall objective of the European Union is to support Europe's maritime security objectives and related activities in the maritime domain. The corresponding challenges mainly relate to safety of navigation, support to fisheries control, combatting marine pollution, and law enforcement at sea.

The European Commission entrusted EMSA with the operation of the maritime surveillance component of the Copernicus Security Service. Under the agreement, EMSA uses space data from Copernicus Sentinel-1 and other satellites, combined with other sources of maritime information to effectively monitor maritime areas of interest.

Support to EU External and Security Actions (SESA)

The Copernicus security service component on Support to EU External and Security Actions (SESA) is a European geospatial information service that assists the EU and its Member States in the framework of applicable Union policies and legislation along the following main policy groups, associated to key responsibilities across EU Institutions and Member States:

1. Union external action supporting the Union and its Member States
2. Security challenges facing the Union and its Member States
3. Monitoring of the implementation of EU Law

The SESA service includes application areas addressing security of EU Citizens, humanitarian aid, crisis and conflict, rule of law, transport safety and security, stability and resilience for development, cultural heritage, international trade and economic diplomacy as well as cutting-edge challenges such as environmental compliance, climate security or health security.

The European Commission entrusted the European Satellite Centre (EU SatCen) with the Support to External and Security Actions (SESA) component of the Copernicus Security Service. 

The Copernicus Emergency Management Service (Copernicus EMS) provides all actors involved in the management of natural disasters, man-made emergency situations, and humanitarian crises with timely and accurate geo-spatial information derived from satellite remote sensing and completed by available in situ or open data sources.

The Copernicus EMS consists of two components:

• Mapping.
• Early warning.

The mapping component of the service (Copernicus EMS - Mapping) has a worldwide coverage and provides the above-mentioned actors (mainly Civil Protection Authorities and Humanitarian Aid Agencies) with maps based on satellite imagery. The service has been fully operational since 1 April 2012, and it is implemented by the European Commission DG Joint Research Centre (JRC).

The products generated by the service can be used as supplied (e.g., as digital or printed map outputs). They may also be combined with other data sources (e.g., as digital feature sets in a geographic information system) to support geospatial analysis and decision-making processes of emergency managers.

Copernicus EMS - Mapping can support all phases of the emergency management cycle: preparedness, prevention, disaster risk reduction, emergency response and recovery.

The early warning component of the Copernicus EMS consists of three different systems:

• The European Flood Awareness System (EFAS), which provides overviews on ongoing and forecasted floods in Europe up to 10 days in advance.
• The European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), which provides near real-time and historical information on forest fires and forest fire regimes in the European, Middle Eastern and North African regions.
• The European Drought Observatory (EDO), which provides drought-relevant information and early-warnings for Europe.

Global Flood Awareness System (GloFAS), Global Wildfire Information System (GWIS) and Global Drought Observatory (GDO) complete the previous three above systems at global level.

The service can be activated only by designated authorised users and is provided free of charge in two different modes:

• Rush mode, for emergency management activities which require immediate response. 
• Non-rush mode, to support emergency disaster management activities not related to immediate response. This includes pre-disaster risk assessment, analysis of population and asset vulnerability and post-disaster recovery and reconstruction.

More information on the service is available on the Copernicus EMS – Mapping Portal. The public portal of the Copernicus Emergency Management Service allows to download all the maps and products delivered by this service.

A User Guide for the EMS Service has been produced and is available here

In November 2023, the European Commission launched four Copernicus Thematic Hubs. These hubs serve as single entry points to data and products generated by different Copernicus services on specific regional or thematic areas. The main objective of these hubs is to streamline user access to the vast data resources provided by Copernicus, in line with the European Commission's long-standing commitment to make this data easily accessible.

Those four hubs are : 

• The Copernicus Health Hub (https://health.hub.copernicus.eu/ )
• The Copernicus Coastal Hub (https://www.coastal.hub.copernicus.eu/ )
• The Copernicus Energy Hub (https://energy.hub.copernicus.eu/ )
• The Copernicus Arctic Thematic Hub (https://www.arctic.hub.copernicus.eu/ )

You will find more information directly on each hub webpage or through the Copernicus observer describing the hubs: https://www.copernicus.eu/en/news/news/observer-exploration-copernicus-thematic-hubs

The Copernicus Health Hub brings together all the Copernicus environmental data and products pertinent to Health, including that related to physical health, mental health and well-being.

The Copernicus Coastal Hub provides open and free access to a selection of coastal Earth observation data from the Copernicus Sentinel satellites and all Copernicus Services.

The Copernicus Energy Hub connects environmental data and Earth Observations to the green energy transition.

The Copernicus Arctic Hub provides access to data and information in the Arctic. Explore interactive maps and thematic use cases and empower decision-making and sustainable practices

Although primarily designed for public policymakers and public bodies responsible for environmental and security matters, data and information provided by Copernicus are not limited to these users. Any public or private organisation, and more generally any individual can access and exploit Copernicus data and information on a free, full and open basis (see FAQ Item “How can I access Copernicus data and information). The only exceptions are the specific situations where security is at stake. In such cases, access limitation may exist.

Copernicus data and information are free of charge. Considered as public goods, the Earth observation data delivered by the Sentinel satellites and the data and information delivered by the Copernicus services are available to users on a free, full and open basis.

However, note that the Copernicus Emergency Management Service and Copernicus Security service are accessible to authorised users only. Authorised users include relevant national and EU bodies and administrations and selected intergovernmental organisations (such as EFTA or the UN).

Based on the free data and information delivered by Copernicus, public or private operators may develop value-added services ("downstream services") with the objective to meet specific needs. Depending on the business model adopted by each operator, these downstream services can be either free for the final user or associated to a fee.

Access to Copernicus images is full, free and open to anyone. 

If you would like pre-made images, you should visit the Image of the Day section of the website. You can even get the Image of the Day sent directly to your inbox, by registering here to the newsletter.

Alternatively, if you would like images of specific regions or with specific information based on the various sensors installed on the Copernicus satellites, you should check out the following resources:

• The Copernicus Data Space Ecosystem
• SCP (Semi-Automatic Classification Plugin for QGIS) 

Most of the data and information delivered by Copernicus (i.e. Sentinel data and Copernicus service products) are available through the Copernicus Data Space Ecosystem.

The products delivered by the Copernicus services are also made available to users through the respective service websites:

• Copernicus Land Monitoring Service (CLMS): https://land.copernicus.eu/
• Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS): https://atmosphere.copernicus.eu/ 
• Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S): https://climate.copernicus.eu/
• Copernicus Marine Environment Monitoring Service (CMEMS): https://marine.copernicus.eu/ 
• Copernicus Emergency Management Service (CEMS): https://emergency.copernicus.eu/

In most cases, data and information can be browsed/discovered without prior registration but registration is required for downloading.

Yes, sure! We only ask you to follow these rules:

• If they are for personal use, you do not need to credit Copernicus.
• If you publish them on social media, you should tag us (links available at the bottom of the main page of the Copernicus website).
• For public use, you need to credit the picture following this 2014 legal notice by the European Commission 

If you would like further information on Copernicus, you can find it here

It happens that Very High Resolution (VHR) satellite images are processed to deliver some Copernicus products. For instance, the Copernicus Emergency Management Service (CEMS) often uses VHR images, acquired right after a natural disaster, to create damage assessment and extent maps. However, these satellite images are made available to the Authorised User who activated the service, but as these are commercial images, they are in general not publicly available.

Yet, many VHR images are made available to different types of users through the European Space Agency’s Copernicus Contributing Missions Online platform.

Information on the user categories served by the Copernicus Contributing Missions Online platform and the way to access data is available in the platform's FAQ.

The platform's helpdesk can be contacted by sending an email to the Copernicus Services Coordinated Interface (SCI) team at EOSupport@copernicus.esa.int

There are no restrictions on selling creative products that use Sentinel data, as long as it is correctly referenced.

Essentially, "any Sentinel data available through the Sentinel Data Hubs will be governed by the Legal Notice on the use of Copernicus Sentinel Data and Service Information".

You can use the legal notice document as proof that provision of Copernicus Sentinel Data and Service Information for reproduction (1) ; distribution (2); communication to the public (3); adaptation, modification and combination with other data and information (4); or any combination of the previous points (1;2;3;4) has been granted to all users by the European Commission. 

Please use the following notice whenever you communicate to the public or distribute Copernicus Sentinel Data and Service Information:

1. ‘Copernicus Sentinel Data [year]’ for Sentinel data; and/or
2. ‘Copernicus Service Information [year]’ for Copernicus Service Information

Where the Copernicus Sentinel Data and Service Information have been adapted or modified, please provide the following notice:

1. ‘Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data [year]’ for Sentinel Data; and/or
2. ‘Contains modified Copernicus Service Information [year]’ for Copernicus Service Information

For more information, check the Sentinel Data Legal Notice. 

In some cases, sentinel data are unavailable due to maintenance operations. In most cases, those operations are planned in advance and can be monitored through the sentinel maintenance news portal: https://sentinel.esa.int/web/sentinel/maintenance-news

You can join the Observer newsletter at the bottom of every page of the Copernicus.eu website. You just need to type your email address and agree to the privacy policy. You will receive an email every time a new article is published, and you will never miss an Observer again!

To learn more about Copernicus, you can check out the following:

• The Copernicus MOOC, designed for all people who use or could benefit from using geo-information data, but who have no or limited prior experience in doing so.
• The Copernicus EU YouTube channel, with videos covering all aspects of Copernicus. The channel also includes recordings of the monthly Copernicus webinars.

You can also find additional resources here. 

Moreover, information on the processing and applications of Sentinel data is published on the ESA portal for EO Education and Training. Additional resources on the applications and processing of Sentinel data are also available, such as a series of video trainings in French on the principles of (SAR) Synthetic Aperture Radar, and the processing of Sentinel-1 data using the Sentinels Applications Platform (SNAP) ESA software toolbox.

Recordings of past webinars can be found in the dedicated playlist of the Copernicus EU YouTube channel. Recordings of future webinars will also be uploaded on this platform, usually within a week after the event.

All presentations from past webinars can be found on the dedicated pages on the copernicus.eu website. To find the specific webinar you are interested in, you can type its title in the search bar on the top-right of the website’s main page, or browse the “Past events” section of the “Events” page.

Any upcoming webinar, as well as any future Copernicus-related event, can be found on the Copernicus.eu website. You can browse the dedicated “Events” page to find upcoming events and register to them.

For the upcoming Copernicus events please refer to the dedicated page on the Copernicus.eu website.

The Copernicus MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) aims to make Copernicus and its ecosystem accessible to all. It is designed for all people who use or could benefit from using geo-information data, but who have no or limited prior experience in doing so. All first-time and intermediate users of Copernicus data and services from the public and private sector and public sector are therefore invited to participate. This includes civil servants, policy makers, entrepreneurs, innovators, intrapreneurs, service designers, etc.

The course addresses three key topics:

• Understanding Copernicus data and services – what they are, and how they can be accessed and used.
• Learning from success stories – understanding how existing Copernicus-enabled services and applications have been developed and deployed.
• Doing it yourself – acquiring the key skills and knowledge to develop and deploy Copernicus-enabled products and services and to navigate the Copernicus ecosystem.

The course modules are taught in English by internationally recognised experts and successful practitioners.

The course is built on a user-driven approach aimed at enabling participants to work on their own projects, learn from others, understand the latest trends in situational awareness technologies, and become active members of the Copernicus community.

The Copernicus MOOC (and related materials) is accessible here.

The European Commission has established a EU Space Network whose members act as ambassadors of the EU Space programme. This network includes members whose role is to promote Copernicus in the territories where they are established. They can be contacted by anyone interested in knowing more about Copernicus. Visit the network Address Book to identify if there is a network member in your country, region or city. 

Many different Copernicus visual materials are available, including:

• Copernicus Brochure/ Flyers: 
  • You can find the Copernicus brochure in English here.
  • Copernicus brochures/flyers are available also in other languages here. 
• Overview on Copernicus governance and structure:
  • Services
  • Space component 

A dedicated web page gathers videos related to Copernicus: https://www.copernicus.eu/en/media/videos

The "Let's Talk EU Space" podcast series aims to amplify the voice of the EU Space Programme through different formats. It allows in-depth exploration of complex topics, while providing a platform that can easily be consumed on-the-go. While season 1 focused on Copernicus, season 2 will offer insiders and newcomers the opportunity to learn more about the other components of the EU Space programme, including, Galileo, EGNOS, SSA, IRIS² and GOVSATCOM.

If you would like to work on Copernicus-related policy, you can check out the European Commission Blue Book Traineeship website. Each year the European Commission offers 2 five months paid traineeships for 1,800 trainees willing to gain hands-on experience of EU policy making in a multicultural environment. You can also visit the European Commission’s official Careers page for a list of all the openings and guidance on how to apply.

You can also visit the careers page of the Entrusted Entities’ websites:

• DG JRC (part of the European Commission)
• ECMWF
• EEA
• EMSA
• ESA
• EU SatCen
• EUMETSAT
• Frontex
• Mercator Ocean

Furthermore, you can reach out to Copernicus Academy and Relay members and see directly with each of them if they have opportunities that may suit your needs.

Finally, if you wish to work more on the scientific side, you can look for opportunities in the Earth observation sector which are regularly published by the European Association of Remote Sensing Companies (EARSC).

The implementation and operation of Copernicus has been delegated by the European Commission to a number "Entrusted Entities" which act as service providers. These delegated entities regularly publish Tenders through which third-party organisations can be involved in the implementation and operation of Copernicus. See the FAQ item "Who provides the Copernicus services?" (section "Copernicus Services") to know more about the Entrusted Entities.

Additionally, for entrepreneurs, start-ups and SMEs in the space industry, the EU Commission launched the CASSINI (Competitive Space Start-ups for INnovatIon) initiative in 2021. For more information, visit the CASSINI website.

The Copernicus Networks were officially launched on 6 June 2017 at a ceremony in the European Parliament, even though they had been up and running since the first quarter of the same year. The main goal of the Copernicus Networks – both Copernicus Academy and Copernicus Relays – was to increase the visibility and uptake of Copernicus open data, products, services and applications.

The creation of the Copernicus Networks back in 2017 was motivated by the will to promote the full exploitation of the Copernicus data and information made available under a full, free and open access data policy for the public. 

At the beginning of 2024, the Copernicus Networks, i.e. the Copernicus Academy and the Copernicus Relays, were embedded into the newly established "EU Space Networks". In addition, a new Copernicus-related role, the "Copernicus Ambassadors", was added for organisations willing to endorse both the Academy and Relays roles.

To know more about the Copernicus Ambassadors, the Copernicus Academy and the Copernicus Relays under the new structure of the EU Space Networks, please refer to the dedicated section of the website: https://www.copernicus.eu/en/opportunities/eu-space-networks

As a part of the European Commission’s efforts to boost user uptake, the EU Space Networks are a mechanism to spread the word about the data, information and services made available by the EU Space Programme to potential users, supporting them in their respective countries, regions, scientific/technical disciplines, and industries. 

This initiative aims to unify and amplify the impact of the EU Space Programme’s components (e.g. Galileo, EGNOS, SSA/STM and Copernicus) and initiatives (e.g. IRIS²) and to increase the visibility and uptake of the open data, signals, products, services and applications made available by the EUSpace Programme. 

As users of the EU Space Programme themselves, the members of the Networks engage and facilitate knowledge exchange between public and private actors, familiar and foreign to the space sector.

The EU Space Networks build on the success of the former Copernicus Networks, which were created in 2017 as part of the European Commission’s efforts to develop user adoption of Copernicus data, information and services. 

At the beginning of 2024, the Copernicus Networks, which consisted of the Copernicus Academy and the Copernicus Relays, were embedded in the newly created EU Space Networks’ structure. The existing Copernicus Academy and Relays are maintained in the EU Space Networks, in addition to new member types, the "Ambassadors". 

This role of Ambassador is typically carried out by organisations. In exceptional cases, individuals with the requisite expertise and experience, as well as a proven track record of promoting EU Space data and services, may also be appointed as Ambassadors.

The following roles are established in the EU Space Networks structure:

• EU Space Ambassador
• Copernicus Ambassador
• Copernicus Academy
• Copernicus Relay
• Galileo / EGNOS Ambassador
• IRIS² Ambassador
• SSA / STM Ambassador

To learn more about the EU Space Networks you can refer to the dedicated section of the website:

https://www.copernicus.eu/en/opportunities/eu-space-networks

As a member of the Networks, your mandate is to actively participate and contribute to boosting the user uptake of the EU Space Programme, spreading the word to potential users, supporting them in their respective countries, regions, scientific/technical disciplines and industries. 

In this context, the members of the EU Space Networks are expected to:

• Participate in the monthly EU Space Networks Videoconferences. You can participate as an attendant or give a presentation to the rest of the networks. 
• Fill out the yearly survey. Members are required to complete an annual survey detailing their past activities and future plans within the context of the EU Space Networks. This survey is crucial for assessing the relevance, impact, and alignment of member activities with the objectives of the Networks. It is also critical to identify the need for new promotional, support or funding instruments.
• Attend the annual General Assembly which provides Network members with the opportunity to meet and discuss and to be informed of key announcements by the European Commission regarding the future of the Networks.
• Adhere to the highest ethical standards and integrity in their activities. Any activities deemed morally or legally wrong may result in a review of the member's status within the EU Space Networks. The European Commission reserves the right to revoke membership if it determines that a member's actions are not in line with the principles and values of the EU Space Networks or the European Commission.
• Uphold transparency and accountability in their activities. This includes providing clear reports on their activities and contributions to the EU Space Networks and being open to scrutiny by the European Commission.

Joining the EU Space Networks provides a list of significant benefits:

• Access to a growing global network of hundreds of members across the world. This network is composed of experts in all the fields of the EU Space programme, its applications and use-cases. This wide expertise covers both academia and industry and provides extensive opportunities to set up collaborations and partnerships. To access the list of members: https://www.copernicus.eu/en/network_map_page 
• Access to dedicated events. These include, but are not limited to, the monthly networks videoconferences, during which network members can share updates about their activities or external guests can give presentations on recent developments within the ecosystem, and the general assemblies, which take place on a yearly basis and provide an opportunity to interact with other network members and the European Commission in person.
• Access to a dedicated biweekly newsletter, with extensive information regarding upcoming events on all the components and initiatives of the EU Space Programme. By getting in touch with the EU Space Support Office at support@euspace-programme.eu, events organised by network members can be advertised to the rest of the community in this newsletter, increasing outreach possibilities. 
• Streamlined connection to the European Commission, and other network members through the EU Space Support Office.
• Streamlined support to the organisation of events, in the form of speakers, experts and goodies.
• Access to the Working Group initiative. The Working Groups aim to facilitate the sharing of knowledge, to initiate and cultivate project concepts and endeavours which can later be refined within project proposals or other frameworks, and to participate in ongoing policy dialogues within the different components of the EU Space Programme.
• Access to the EU Space Networks Hub, an online platform bringing together the different news, networking opportunities and exclusive content from the monthly videoconferences.
• Possibility to use the EU Space Networks branding for promotional materials and events.

The Copernicus Participating Countries include all EU Member States, as well as Iceland, Norway and UK

Your institution does not need to be from the EU or from one of the countries participating in the EU Space Programme to join the EU Space Networks. However, we might ask you to complement your application with a letter of reference signed by a national authority, such as a national space agency, in order to be able to process your application.

The EU Space Networks consist of different member categories:

• EU Space Ambassador
• Copernicus Ambassador
• Copernicus Academy
• Copernicus Relay
• Galileo/EGNOS Ambassador
• IRIS² Ambassador
• SSA/STM Ambassador

When candidating to join the Networks, based on the categories’ description you can decide which role better reflects your activities in relation to the EU Space Programme. 

If you are in doubt, please reach out to the EUSSO (support@euspace-programme.eu) to get advice.

Applications will be assessed and reviewed by the European Commission, who will inform the applicants of the decision reached regarding their applications. 

Please note that the European Commission may request a letter of recommendation from a national authority. Governmental bodies or established and internationally recognised institutions are not required to provide such a letter.

For more information on the application process and selection criteria, please refer to the Call for Expressions of Interest.

In case of questions about the application process, please contact the EU Space Support Office by email (support@euspace-programme.eu).

It is not possible to apply to more than one role within the Networks. If your organisation is active in more than one component/initiative of the EU Space programme, you can apply for the EU Space Ambassador role. If your organisation is mainly interested in Copernicus and can fulfil both Copernicus Academy and Copernicus Relay tasks, you can apply as a Copernicus Ambassador.

For a full description of the available roles within the EU Space Networks, please visit the dedicated webpage.

Yes, members of the EU Space Networks can ask to change their role within the networks if deemed necessary to better reflect their activities. 

To ask for such change, members of the Networks can write directly to the EUSSO (support@euspace-programme.eu).

The requests for change will then be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

You can find the official list of the members of the EU Space Networks by accessing the EU Space Network interactive map at: https://www.copernicus.eu/en/network_map_page

If you want to present one of your projects or activities to the other members during one of the monthly videoconferences of the EU Space Networks, you can contact the EU Space Support Office at support@euspace-programme.eu. We will be happy to assist you and fit your presentation into the videoconference schedule. 

Presentations from past monthly videoconferences can be found exclusively on the EU Space Networks Hub platform in the sections “Monthly sessions” and “Monthly presentations”.

There are multiple ways to get in touch with other network members:

• You can directly message them on the EU Space Networks Hub platform. You will be able to find the contacts for all network members in “The Network” section and reach out to them without having to leave the platform. 
• Additional contact information may be available on the EU Space Network interactive map  (https://www.copernicus.eu/en/network_map_page). Simply browse the map to find the member you are interested in and access their dedicated page.

You can also reach out to the EU Space Support Office at support@euspace-programme.eu. We will be happy to assist you and put you in touch with other members of the networks.

The EU Space Networks Hub is an online platform reserved to the members of the EU Space Networks. It can be accessed here: The EU Space Networks Hub. It gives members access to the following features:

• EU Space Today, a dedicated newsfeed with all the latest and greatest from the EU Space Programme ecosystem. It also features convenient reminders for webinars and videoconferences, as well as for the publication of the weekly Observer.
• The Network, a networking space to get in touch with other members, advertise projects and services, and share openings to grow your team.
• The EU Space Plaza, a live-chat hub for general EU Space conversation in the general channel or for interacting directly with the members of the Thematic Working Groups.
• Organisers, the easiest way to access the documents shared by the Thematic Working Groups or presentations from the monthly videoconferences, as well as to ask all your EU Space Networks Hub-related questions to the EUSSO Team.
• Monthly Sessions, a space gathering the recordings of the monthly videoconferences of the EU Space Networks.
• Monthly Presentations, an easy access to all the presentations given during the monthly teleconferences of the EU Space Networks.

The EU Space Networks Hub is reserved for members of the Networks. 

If you are a member, you should already have an account and you can access the EU Space Networks Hub at the following link: The EU Space Networks Hub 

If you are having issues logging in, you can reach out to us at support@euspace-programme.eu.

If you don’t have an account yet, send us an email at support@euspace-programme.eu. We will create an account for you and you will receive a welcome email with instructions on how to set up your account.

If you would like to add one of your collaborators to the platform, send us an email at support@euspace-programme.eu including the name of your institution, its role within the Networks, your colleague’s email, name, surname and title. We will create an account for your colleague, and he/she will receive a welcome email with instructions on how to set up the account.

The EU Space Networks Newsletter is reserved for members of the EU Space Networks. If you are a member of the Networks, you should be automatically subscribed to the newsletter.

In case you would like to add someone else from your organisation, or if the contact points for your organisation have changed, please contact the EU Space Support Office at support@euspace-programme.eu.

If you're not receiving the EU Space Networks Newsletter although you have subscribed, please contact the EU Space Support Office at support@euspace-programme.eu.

You can reach out to the EU Space Support Office at support@euspace-programme.eu, sharing the details of the new contact point for your entity.

Copernicus is not a legal entity but a component of the European Union’s Space Programme which involves many different stakeholders. In order to facilitate the dialogue with the EU Space Programme and in particular with Copernicus, the EU Space Support Office has been created which can be contacted either by phone or by email for any question related to this component.

You can email us (support@euspace-programme.eu). On average we will reply within 1-2 working days, and in any case in no more than 5 working days.

The EU Space Support Office (EUSSO) is a rebranding and expansion of the Copernicus Support Office (CSO) which was established by the European Commission in 2017. It is operational since September 2023.

Its primary purpose is to animate the EU Space Networks which were launched in January 2024 and operate a helpdesk that provides support to potential or existing users of EU space data and services, handling over 2,000 inquiries annually from citizens, businesses, entrepreneurs, academia, researchers, media, and the public sector.

The overall aim of the EUSSO and the Networks is to increase global visibility and user uptake for data and services from the EU Space Programme, including Copernicus, Galileo, EGNOS, IRIS², Space Situational Awareness (SSA), and Space Traffic Management (STM).

Get in touch with the EUSSO via this contact form or support@euspace-programme.eu.

The EU Space Support Office operates Monday to Friday during business hours, Central European time UTC +01:00.

We will answer your phone calls and live chat at these hours. However, you can reach out to use by email or submitting a ticket in the Help desk at any time.

You can expect the first engagement within 24 hours (if the question is submitted after 1 PM Friday, first engagement can be expected on Monday). Depending on the complexity of the question, you can expect our answer within 24-48 hours.

Access to the member area present in the Copernicus.eu website is limited to authorised users (e.g. members of the EU Space networks interested in Copernicus).

If you are a member, and you forgot your credentials, you can follow the procedure "Forgot your password?" present in the "Log in" box. Or simply write to the EUSSO team at support@euspace-programme.eu. 

If you are not a member yet but are interested in becoming one, please write to the EUSSO team at support@euspace-programme.eu to learn more about the process to become a member.

Copernicus has multiple online resources, with different websites and portals. 

If the portal you are trying to log in is this portal (Copernicus.eu) then refer to the FAQ item "I cannot log into the copernicus.eu website. What can I do to solve the issue?".

If you are trying to access one of the other Copernicus portals, you can either contact their user support team or contact the EU Space Support Office (support@euspace-programme.eu), specifying the platform you are having issues with. You will then be put in contact with the right support team.

You can contact the user support of the Copernicus Data Space Ecosystem (CDSE) here

CASSINI is the European Commission’s space entrepreneurship initiative for the period 2021-2027. First announced in the EU SME Strategy, it aims to increase the number of space-based start-ups and improve their market penetration, as well as to facilitate access to public and private capital for both start-ups and SMEs.  

CASSINI regroups under a single umbrella relevant entrepreneurial-related initiatives for start-ups and SMEs in the space sector and beyond. It covers the entire entrepreneurial cycle, from the generation of ideas to scale up growth, and is managed by the DG on Defence Industry and Space (DEFIS).

The programme aims to:

• Expand the number of start-ups in the EU building businesses based on innovative EU space technologies, also by linking them to digital/ICT (i.e., expand a ‘space ecosystem’).
• Increase their chances to succeed (with both technical and managerial support).
• Accelerate/secure their growth & scale up (attracting more private investors).

It consolidates/streamlines existing initiatives as well as envisages new ones, to support innovation & start-up and to create a coherent, long term, structured, focused, and scalable public support mechanism. It is part of the EU Strategy for SMEs. Synergies with other Commission’s complementary activities are to be exploited to maximise mutual benefits.

This initiative is composed of several elements: 

• CASSINI Hackathons and Mentoring  
• CASSINI Prizes 
• CASSINI Business Accelerator
• CASSINI Seed and Growth Funding Facility
• CASSINI Matchmaking
• CASSINI In-Orbit Demonstration & Validation

More information can be found here.

In order to see if we can help you, please write an email to support@euspace-programme.eu, clearly stating:

• Contact point (institution, person in charge, email).
• Name, location, and date of the event.
• Agenda of the event.
• Expected number of participants and their profiles.
• Public or private (co-)organisers/ sponsors; potential involvement of other public regional or national public authorities.
• Topic of the event and relevance of the scope for Copernicus.
• Type of support needed (speakers, goodies, sponsorship, other, …)
  • For speakers: Profile sought; foreseen topic and timing of the speech; expected audience (amount of participants/ level of audience); possibility to connect remotely.
  • For goodies: Type/ number of goodies required; Shipping location and date.
  • For Sponsorships/ other support: Details on type of support needed.

In order to effectively support you, please send your request at least 2 months in advance of the event starting date.

Unfortunately, Copernicus is not able to provide any financial or material support. However, there are plenty of funding opportunities provided by the European Union. More information is available here. If you represent a start-up or an SME, you might want to check out CASSINI as well.

The entry point for information requests is the EU Space Support Office (support@euspace-programme.eu). 

Note that some of the Copernicus services have their own media communication team. In case you are more specifically interested in the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) or the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) you can find the press contact on the following pages: 

• For CAMS: https://atmosphere.copernicus.eu/press-releases
• For C3S: https://climate.copernicus.eu/press-releases 

Note that if interested, an image of the day is also published on the copernicus.eu website (see https://www.copernicus.eu/en/media/image-day) as well as a weekly article called the “EU Space Observer” (registration available at the bottom of the https://www.copernicus.eu/en webpage).