Copernicus programme: Europe's eyes on Earth

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Copernicus programme
India has joined Europe’s mega global arrangement of sharing data from Earth observation satellites, called Copernicus.

The agreement:
  • Under this arrangement, the European Commission intends to provide India with free, full and open access to the data from the Copernicus Sentinel family of satellites using high bandwidth connections.
  • Reciprocally the DoS will provide the Copernicus programme and its participating states with a free, full and open access to the data from ISRO’s earth observation satellites, including historical data sets.
  • It is intended that ISRO’s satellite data would be made available for distribution on the European ‘Copernicus hub’.
  • This comprises land, ocean and atmospheric series of ISRO’s civilian satellites (Oceansat-2, Megha-Tropiques, Scatsat-1, SARAL, INSAT-3D, INSAT-3DR) with the exception of commercial high-resolution satellites data.

About Copernicus programme:
Copernicus is the most ambitious Earth observation programme to date. It will provide accurate, timely and easily accessible information to improve the management of the environment, understand and mitigate the effects of climate change and ensure civil security.
  • Copernicus is the new name for the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security programme, previously known as GMES.
  • This initiative is headed by the European Commission (EC) in partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA).
  • ESA coordinates the delivery of data from upwards of 30 satellites. The EC, acting on behalf of the European Union, is responsible for the overall initiative, setting requirements and managing the services.
  • Services provided by Copernicus: land management, the marine environment, atmosphere, emergency response, security and climate change.
  • Sentinel: ESA is developing a new family of satellites, called Sentinels, specifically for the operational needs of the Copernicus programme. The Sentinels will provide a unique set of observations, starting with the all-weather, day and night radar images.

Sources: the hindu.

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