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Kopernikus (GMES)

Kopernikus (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES)) is a joint initiative of the European Commission and European Space Agency, adopted by EU Heads of State at the Gothenburg Summit in 2001, and aimed at achieving an autonomous and operational capability in the exploitation of geo-spatial information services by 2008.

The objective is to rationalize the use of multiple-sources data to get a timely and quality information, services and knowledge, and to provide autonomous and independent access to information for policy-makers, particularly in relation to environment and security.

Kopernikus builds upon 4 pillars : the space component, (satellites and associated ground segment), in-situ measurements (ground-based and airborne data gathering networks), data harmonization and standardization, and services to users.

Kopernikus is the EU contribution to GEOSS

Currently Kopernikus has 3 fast track services (FTS) that are in the developmental stages. These are Ocean FTS, Land FTS and Emergency FTS. It is envisaged that the FTS would be operational from 2008 onwards. Gradually, more services such as Atmosphere FTS and Security applications will be added to the portfolio. The Atmosphere FTS is currently being developed in the projects GEMS and PROMOTE, with some test services already being available.

Kopernikus is fast moving towards an operational phase. The key to providing operational Kopernikus services is to have an appropriate governance and business model structure in place which supports provisioning of these services. With this in mind, European Commission has commissioned a 30 month research project named BOSS4GMES that would recommend appropriate business models and governance structure for Kopernikus.

Space Missions

There planned a first serie of three earth observation missions called Sentinels. Each mission will be based in a two satellite constellation which fulfils coverage and other requirements.

First planned missions are:

Sentinel 1 will be equipped with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) that will measure altimetry data.
Sentinel 2 will provided high resolution optical data for land and emergencies services.
Sentinel 3 will provide optical and microwave observation for marine and land services.

Two more Sentinel satellite are foreseen for later deployment for atmospheric chemistry monitoring.