Copernicus Programme

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Copernicus programme
Copernicus logo.png
Program overview
CountryFlag of Europe.svg  European Union
Organization European Commission
PurposeEarth monitoring
StatusOngoing
Programme history
Cost€5,421 billion (2021-2027)

Copernicus is the Earth observation component of the European Union Space Programme, managed by the European Commission and implemented in partnership with the EU 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), the European Environment Agency (EEA), the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), Frontex, SatCen and Mercator Océan. [1]

Contents

The programme aims at achieving a global, continuous, autonomous, high quality, wide range Earth observation capacity. Providing accurate, timely and easily accessible information to, among other things, improve the management of the environment, understand and mitigate the effects of climate change, and ensure civil security.

Since 2021, Copernicus is a component of the EU Space Programme, which aims to bolster the EU Space policy in the fields of Earth Observation, Satellite Navigation, Connectivity, Space Research and Innovation and supports investments in critical infrastructure and disruptive technologies.

Program definition

The objective for Copernicus is to use vast amount of global data from satellites and from ground-based, airborne and seaborne measurement systems to produce timely and quality information, services and knowledge, and to provide autonomous and independent access to information in the domains of environment and security on a global level in order to help service providers, public authorities and other international organizations improve the quality of life for the citizens of Europe. In other words, it pulls together all the information obtained by the Copernicus environmental satellites, air and ground stations and sensors to provide a comprehensive picture of the "health" of Earth. [2]

One of the benefits of the Copernicus programme is that the data and information produced in the framework of Copernicus are made available free-of-charge [3] to all its users and the public, thus allowing downstream services to be developed.

The services offered by Copernicus cover six main interacting themes: atmosphere, marine, land, climate, emergency and security. [4]

Copernicus builds upon three components:

It was named after the scientist and observer Nicolaus Copernicus. Copernicus' theory of the heliocentric universe made a pioneering contribution to modern science. [6]

Its costs during 1998 to 2020 are estimated at €6.7 billion with around €4.3 billion spent in the period 2014 to 2020 and shared between the EU (67%) and ESA (33%) with benefits of the data to the EU economy estimated at €30 billion through 2030. [7] ESA as a main partner has performed much of the design and oversees and co-funds the development of Sentinel missions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 with each Sentinel mission consisting of at least 2 satellites and some, such as Sentinel 1, 2 and 3, consisting of 4 satellites. [8] They will also provide the instruments for Meteosat Third Generation and MetOp-SG weather satellites of EUMETSAT where ESA and EUMETSAT will also coordinate the delivery of data from upwards of 30 satellites that form the contributing satellite missions to Copernicus. [9]

Italy and the Mediterranean, image captured by Copernicus Sentinel-3A on 28 September 2016. Italy and Mediterranean ESA391025.jpg
Italy and the Mediterranean, image captured by Copernicus Sentinel-3A on 28 September 2016.

History

The Copernicus programme was established by the Regulation (EU) No 377/2014 [3] in 2014, building on the previous EU's Earth monitoring initiative GMES (established by Regulation (EU) No 911/2010 [10] ).

Over a few decades, European and national institutions have made substantial R&D efforts in the field of Earth observation. These efforts have resulted in tremendous achievements but the services and products developed during this period had limitations that were inherent to R&D activities (e.g. lack of service continuity on the long-term). The idea for a global and continuous European Earth observation system was developed under the name of Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) which was later re-branded into Copernicus after the EU became directly involved in financing and development. It follows and greatly expands on the work of the previous €2.3 billion European Envisat programme which operated from 2002 to 2012. [11]

Copernicus moved from R&D to operational services following a phased approach. Pre-operational services (Fast Track Services and Pilot Services) were phased in between 2008 and 2010. Copernicus initial operations began in 2011. Copernicus became fully operational in 2014. [12]

Chronology

Earth Observation missions

Sentinel missions

ESA is currently developing seven missions under the Sentinel programme (Sentinel 1, 2, 3, 4, 5P, 5, 6). The Sentinel missions include radar and super-spectral imaging for land, ocean and atmospheric monitoring. Each Sentinel mission is based on a constellation of two satellites to fulfill and revisit the coverage requirements for each mission, providing robust datasets for all Copernicus services.

The Sentinel missions have the following objectives:

In preparation for the second-generation of Copernicus (Copernicus 2.0), six High Priority Candidate "expansion" missions are currently being studied by ESA to address EU Policy and gaps in Copernicus user needs, and to increase the current capabilities of the Copernicus Space Component:

Contributing missions

Before the Sentinel missions provide data to Copernicus, numerous existing or planned space missions provide or will provide data useful to the provision of Copernicus services. These missions are often referred to as "Copernicus Contributing Missions (CCMs)":

Data provided by non-European satellite missions (e.g. Landsat, GOSAT, Radarsat-2) can also be used by Copernicus.

In-Situ Coordination

GMES In-Situ Coordination (GISC) was a FP7 funded initiative, lasted for three years (January 2010 – December 2012) and was coordinated by the European Environment Agency (EEA). Since 2014 EEA has been responsible for Copernicus In-Situ coordination under the Contribution Agreement between the EU (represented by the European Commission) and the EEA, signed 1 December 2014.

In situ data are all data from sources other than Earth observation satellites. Consequently, all ground-based, air-borne, and ship/buoy-based observations and measurements that are needed to implement and operate the Copernicus services are part of the in-situ component. In-situ data are indispensable; they are assimilated into forecasting models, provide calibration and validation of space-based information, and contribute to analysis or filling gaps not available from space sources.

GISC was undertaken with reference to other initiatives, such as INSPIRE (Infrastructure for Spatial Information in the European Community) and SEIS (Shared Environmental Information System) as well as existing coordination and data exchange networks. The coordinated access to data retains the capacity to link directly data providers and the service providers because it is based on the principles of SEIS and INSPIRE. The implementation of INSPIRE is embedded in the synergies and meta-data standards that were used in GISC. Data and information aims to be managed as close as possible to its source in order to achieve a distributed system, by involving countries and existing capacities that maintain and operate the required observation infrastructure.

Services component

Copernicus services are dedicated to the monitoring and forecasting of the Earth's subsystems. They contribute directly to the monitoring of climate change. Copernicus services also address emergency management (e.g. in case of natural disaster, technological accidents or humanitarian crises) and security-related issues (e.g. maritime surveillance, border control).

Copernicus services address six main thematic areas:

The development of the pre-operational version of the services has been realised by a series of projects launched by the European Commission and partly funded through the EU's 7th Framework Programme (FP7). These projects were geoland2 (land), MyOcean (marine), SAFER (emergency response), MACC and its successor MACC II (atmosphere) and G-MOSAIC (security). Most of these projects also contributed to the monitoring of Climate Change.

Interaction

"The information provided by the Copernicus services can be used by end-users for a wide range of applications in a variety of areas. These include urban area management, sustainable development and nature protection, regional and local planning, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, health, civil protection, infrastructure, transport and mobility, as well as tourism". [4]

Copernicus is the European Union's contribution to the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) thus delivering geospatial information globally.

Some Copernicus services make use of OpenStreetMap data in their maps production. [38]

Other relevant initiatives

Other initiatives will also facilitate the development and functioning of Copernicus services:

Copernicus is one of three related initiatives that are the subject of the GIGAS ( GEOSS, INSPIRE and GMES an Action in Support) harmonization and analysis project [39] under the auspices of the EU 7th Framework Programme. [40]

Third country participation

In addition to the 27 Member States of the European Union, the Copernicus programme allows for the participation at various scope for third country participation. This participation is conducted through agreements with the European Union. One has to distinguish those countries that contribute to the budget and those that agree on exchanging data with the program. Many international partner countries get special access to Sentinel data in exchange for sharing in-situ data from their country. These states are:

2014–2020 budget contributing countries

Data exchange

Discussions ongoing with: Argentina, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, China (part of Space Dialogue)

2021–2027 budget contributing countries

Enlargement

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">EUMETSAT</span> European intergovernmental organisation

The European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) is an intergovernmental organisation created through an international convention agreed by a current total of 30 European Member States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MetOp</span> Series of European meteorological satellites

Metop is a series of three polar-orbiting meteorological satellites developed by the European Space Agency (ESA) and operated by the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT). The satellites form the space segment component of the overall EUMETSAT Polar System (EPS), which in turn is the European half of the EUMETSAT / NOAA Initial Joint Polar System (IJPS). The satellites carry a payload comprising 11 scientific instruments and two which support Cospas-Sarsat Search and Rescue services. In order to provide data continuity between Metop and NOAA Polar Operational Environmental Satellites (POES), several instruments are carried on both fleets of satellites.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Romanian Space Agency</span> Space agency; public institution with extrabudgetary funding

The Romanian Space Agency is a public institution that coordinates Romania's national space technology research programs and activities related to space research. ROSA, established in 1991, is subordinate to the Romanian Ministry of Education.

The European Union Space Programme is an EU funding programme established in 2021 along with its managing agency, the European Union Agency for the Space Programme, in order to implement the pre-existing European Space Policy established on 22 May 2007 when a joint and concomitant meeting at the ministerial level of the Council of the European Union and the Council of the European Space Agency, known collectively as the European Space Council, adopted a Resolution on the European Space Policy. The policy had been jointly drafted by the European Commission and the Director General of the European Space Agency. This was the first common political framework for space activities established by the European Union (EU).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sentinel-1</span> Earth observation satellite

Sentinel-1 is the first of the Copernicus Programme satellite constellation conducted by the European Space Agency. This mission was originally composed of a constellation of two satellites, Sentinel-1A and Sentinel-1B, which shared the same orbital plane. Two more satellites, Sentinel-1C and Sentinel-1D are in development. Sentinel-1B has been retired, leaving Sentinel-1A the only satellite of the constellation. The Sentinel-1 satellites carry a C-band synthetic-aperture radar instrument which provides a collection of data in all-weather, day or night. This instrument has a spatial resolution of down to 5 m and a swath of up to 410 km. The satellite orbits a Sun-synchronous, near-polar orbit. The orbit has a 12-day repeat cycle and completes 175 orbits per cycle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sentinel-2</span> Earth observation mission

Sentinel-2 is an Earth observation mission from the Copernicus Programme that systematically acquires optical imagery at high spatial resolution over land and coastal waters. The mission is currently a constellation with two satellites, Sentinel-2A and Sentinel-2B; a third satellite, Sentinel-2C, is currently undergoing testing in preparation for launch in 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sentinel-3</span> Earth observation satellite series

Sentinel-3 is an Earth observation heavy satellite series developed by the European Space Agency as part of the Copernicus Programme. It currently consists of 2 satellites: Sentinel-3A and Sentinel-3B. After initial commissioning, each satellite was handed over to EUMETSAT for the routine operations phase of the mission. Two recurrent satellites— Sentinel-3C and Sentinel-3D— will follow in approximately 2025 and 2028 respectively to ensure continuity of the Sentinel-3 mission.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mission Science Division</span>

The Earth and Mission Science Division is a group of European Space Agency (ESA) staff mission scientists, contractors, research fellows, young graduates, trainees, and administrative staff working within the Climate Action, Sustainability and Science Department of the Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes. The Division is located at ESA's European Space Research and Technology Centre in Noordwijk, South Holland, The Netherlands.

The Advanced Along Track Scanning Radiometer (AATSR) is one of the Announcement of Opportunity (AO) instruments on board the European Space Agency (ESA)'s Envisat satellite.

The European Data Relay System (EDRS) system is a European constellation of GEO satellites that relay information and data between satellites, spacecraft, UAVs, and ground stations. The first components were launched in 2016 and 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SARAL</span> Indian Earth observation satellite

SARAL is a cooperative altimetry technology mission of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Centre National d'Études Spatiales (CNES). SARAL performs altimetric measurements designed to study ocean circulation and sea surface elevation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sentinel-1A</span> European radar imaging satellite

Sentinel-1A is a European radar imaging satellite launched in 2014. It is the first Sentinel-1 satellite launched as part of the European Union's Copernicus programme. The satellite carries a C-band Synthetic Aperture Radar which will provide images in all light and weather conditions. It analyzes many phenomena occurring on Earth, from detecting and tracking oil spills and mapping sea ice to monitoring movement in land surfaces and mapping changes in the way land is used.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sentinel-5 Precursor</span> Earth observation satellite

Sentinel-5 Precursor (Sentinel-5P) is an Earth observation satellite developed by ESA as part of the Copernicus Programme to close the gap in continuity of observations between Envisat and Sentinel-5.

The Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) is a service implemented by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), launched in November 11, 2014, that provides continuous data and information on atmospheric composition. CAMS, which is part of the Copernicus Programme, describes the current situation, forecasts the situation a few days ahead, and analyses consistently retrospective data records for recent years. This service has around 10 years of developments, and its current precursor project, MACC-III, is delivering the pre-operational Copernicus Atmosphere Service. CAMS tracks air pollution, solar energy, greenhouse gases and climate forcing globally.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sentinel-2A</span> European optical imaging satellite

Sentinel-2A is a European optical imaging satellite launched in 2015. It is the first Sentinel-2 satellite launched as part of the European Space Agency's Copernicus Programme. The satellite carries a wide swath high-resolution multispectral imager with 13 spectral bands. It will perform terrestrial observations in support of services such as forest monitoring, land cover changes detection, and natural disaster management.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sentinel-3A</span>

Sentinel-3A is a European Space Agency Earth observation satellite dedicated to oceanography which launched on 16 February 2016. It was built as a part of the Copernicus Programme, and is the first of four planned Sentinel-3 satellites. Its sister satellite, Sentinel-3B, launched on 25 April 2018. After completing initial commissioning, each satellite was handed over to EUMETSAT for the routine operations phase of the mission. Two recurrent satellites - Sentinel-3C and Sentinel-3D - will follow in approximately 2024 and 2028 respectively to ensure continuity of the Sentinel-3 mission.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sentinel-4</span> Earth observation satellite

Sentinel-4 is a European Earth observation mission developed to support the European Union Copernicus Programme for monitoring the Earth. It focuses on monitoring of trace gas concentrations and aerosols in the atmosphere to support operational services covering air-quality near-real time applications, air-quality protocol monitoring and climate protocol monitoring. The specific objective of Sentinel-4 is to support this with a high revisit time over Europe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sentinel-2B</span> European optical imaging satellite

Sentinel-2B is a European optical imaging satellite that was launched on 7 March 2017. It is the second Sentinel-2 satellite launched as part of the European Space Agency's Copernicus Programme, and its orbit will be phased 180° against Sentinel-2A. The satellite carries a wide swath high-resolution multispectral imager with 13 spectral bands. It will provide information for agriculture and forestry, among others allowing for prediction of crop yields.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich</span> Earth observation satellite

The Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich (S6MF) or Sentinel-6A is a radar altimeter satellite developed in partnership between several European and American organizations. It is part of the Jason satellite series and is named after Michael Freilich. S6MF includes synthetic-aperture radar altimetry techniques to improve ocean topography measurements, in addition to rivers and lakes. The spacecraft entered service in mid 2021 and is expected to operate for 5.5 years.

References

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  2. ↑ "What is Copernicus?". Copernicus.eu. Archived from the original on 3 November 2018. Retrieved 11 October 2018.
  3. 1 2 "Regulation (EU) No 377/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 3 April 2014 establishing the Copernicus programme and repealing Regulation (EU) No 911/2010". European Union. 3 April 2014. Retrieved 11 October 2018.
  4. 1 2 "Copernicus In Brief". Copernicus.eu. Archived from the original on 15 August 2018. Retrieved 11 October 2018.
  5. ↑ "ESA, Copernicus, Overview". ESA. 28 October 2014. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  6. ↑ "About Copernicus | Copernicus". www.copernicus.eu. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  7. ↑ "ESA, Earth observation: first Copernicus satellite Sentinel 1A". European Commission. 3 April 2014. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  8. ↑ "Earth-Observation Satellite and Einstein-Challenging Physics Experiment Launch Into Space". Space.com. 26 April 2016. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  9. ↑ "Earth Observation Satellites". Copernicus.eu. 3 April 2014. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  10. ↑ "Regulation (EU) No 911/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2010 on the European Earth monitoring programme (GMES) and its initial operations (2011 to 2013)". European Union. 22 September 2010. Retrieved 11 October 2018.
  11. ↑ "European Space Agency Envisat Program". ESA. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
  12. ↑ "Industry view of the future of the Copernicus programme: key issues to address" (PDF). European Association of Remote Sensing Companies. November 2019. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
  13. ↑ "Interim Evaluation of the European Earth Monitoring Programme (GMES) and its initial Operations (2011-2013) - Final Report" (PDF). Copernicus.eu. January 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 April 2015. Retrieved 11 October 2018.
  14. ↑ "Copernicus operations secured until 2021". ESA. 28 October 2014. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
  15. ↑ "ESA, European Commission Finalize Copernicus Budget". Satellite Today. 28 October 2014. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
  16. ↑ "Copernicus: Sentinel-1". www.eoportal.org. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  17. ↑ "Arianespace boosts Sentinel-1A Earth observation satellite into orbit" (Press release). 3 April 2014. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  18. ↑ "Copernicus: Sentinel-2". www.eoportal.org. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  19. ↑ "Earth Observation Satellite Sentinel-2A Ready to Launch". European Space Agency. SpaceRef. 9 June 2016. Retrieved 10 June 2015.[ permanent dead link ]
  20. ↑ "Copernicus: Sentinel-3". www.eoportal.org. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  21. ↑ "Sentinel-3 stacks up". ESA. 24 April 2014. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
  22. ↑ "Sentinel-3A on its way". esa.int.
  23. ↑ "Copernicus: Sentinel-4". www.eoportal.org. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  24. ↑ "Meteosat Series – Future Satellites". EUMETSAT . 21 November 2022. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
  25. 1 2 "Copernicus". April 2014. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  26. ↑ "Copernicus: Sentinel-5P". www.eoportal.org. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  27. ↑ "ESA Sentinels-4, -5 and -5P" . Retrieved 23 February 2015.
  28. ↑ "Copernicus: Sentinel-5". www.eoportal.org. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  29. ↑ "Copernicus: Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich". www.eoportal.org. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  30. ↑ Clark, Stephen (29 November 2020). "Photos: Falcon 9 launches and lands at Vandenberg Air Force Base". Spaceflight Now.
  31. ↑ Dodson, Gerelle (20 December 2022). "NASA Awards Launch Services Contract for Sentinel-6B Mission". NASA. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
  32. 1 2 3 4 5 "Thales Alenia Space proposals for the Copernicus project selected by European Space Agency" (Press release). Thales Group. 2 July 2020. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  33. ↑ Gerhards, Max; Schlerf, Martin; Mallick, Kaniska; Udelhoven, Thomas (24 May 2019). "Challenges and Future Perspectives of Multi-/Hyperspectral Thermal Infrared Remote Sensing for Crop Water-Stress Detection: A Review". Remote Sensing. 11 (10): 1240. Bibcode:2019RemS...11.1240G. doi: 10.3390/rs11101240 . Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  34. ↑ "Oppdraget over for radarsatellitten Sentinel-1B" [Mission over for the Sentinel-1B radar satellite]. Norwegian Space Agency (in Norwegian). 12 August 2022. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
  35. ↑ "ESA declares end of mission for Envisat". ESA. 9 May 2012.
  36. ↑ OroraTech Signs contract to deliver data to the EU SpaceWatch Global. 20 June 2023, retrieved 25 June 2023
  37. ↑ Tour of French New Space 2023: Promethee SatelliteObservation.net. 23 August 2023, retrieved 10 April 2024
  38. ↑ Copernicus EMS (25 August 2016). "@OpenStreetMapIt @Ale_Zena_IT Indeed, last OSM shapefile used in our maps production is from 11am today. Thank you for your precious help".
  39. ↑ GIGAS Methodology for comparative analysis of information and data management systems, OGC 10-028r1, A. Biancalana, P.G. Marchetti, P. Smits, 2010
  40. ↑ "The GIGAS Project". thegigasforum.eu. Archived from the original on 14 August 2009. Retrieved 5 August 2009.
  41. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "Copernicus international data exchange agreements". 12 June 2018. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  42. ↑ "UK to rejoin EU Horizon research programme". 6 September 2023. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
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