# Copernicus Programme

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EU Earth-observation programme

Copernicus programme Program overview Country European Union Organization European Commission Purpose Earth observation by satellites Status Ongoing Programme history Duration 2014 - Present First flight Sentinel-1A on 3 April 2014

**Copernicus** is the [Earth observation](/source/Earth_observation) component of the [European Union Space Programme](/source/European_Union_Space_Programme), managed by the [European Commission](/source/European_Commission) and implemented in partnership with the [EU member states](/source/Member_state_of_the_European_Union), the [European Space Agency](/source/European_Space_Agency) (ESA), the [European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites](/source/European_Organisation_for_the_Exploitation_of_Meteorological_Satellites) (EUMETSAT), the [European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts](/source/European_Centre_for_Medium-Range_Weather_Forecasts) (ECMWF), the [Joint Research Centre](/source/Joint_Research_Centre) (JRC), the [European Environment Agency](/source/European_Environment_Agency) (EEA), the [European Maritime Safety Agency](/source/European_Maritime_Safety_Agency) (EMSA), [Frontex](/source/Frontex), [SatCen](/source/European_Union_Satellite_Centre), and Mercator Océan.[1]

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](/source/Climate_change_mitigation), and ensure civil security.[2][3][4][5]

Since 2021, Copernicus is a component of the [EU Space Programme](/source/European_Union_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.[6]

[Italian Peninsula](/source/Italian_Peninsula) and the [Mediterranean Sea](/source/Mediterranean_Sea), image captured by Copernicus [Sentinel-3A](/source/Sentinel-3A) on 28 September 2016.

## 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](/source/Satellite), air and ground stations and sensors to provide a comprehensive picture of the "health" of [Earth](/source/Earth).[7]

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[8] 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.[9]

Copernicus builds upon three components:

- The space component (observation satellites and associated [ground segment](/source/Ground_segment) with missions observing land, atmospheric and oceanographic parameters). This comprises two types of satellite missions, ESA's six families of dedicated [Sentinel (space missions)](/source/Sentinel_(satellite)) and missions from other space agencies, called Contributing Missions;[10]

- In-situ measurements (ground-based and airborne data-gathering networks providing information on oceans, continental surface and atmosphere);

- Services developed and managed by Copernicus and offered to its users and public in general.

It was named after the scientist and observer [Nicolaus Copernicus](/source/Nicolaus_Copernicus) (1473 –1543). Copernicus' theory of the heliocentric universe made a pioneering contribution to modern science.[1]

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.[11] ESA as a main partner has performed much of the design and oversees and co-funds the development of [Sentinel missions](/source/Sentinel_(satellite)) 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.[12] They will also provide the instruments for [Meteosat Third Generation](/source/Meteosat_Third_Generation) and [MetOp-SG](/source/MetOp-SG) weather satellites of [EUMETSAT](/source/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.[13]

## History

The Copernicus programme was established by the Regulation (EU) No 377/2014 [8] in 2014, building on the previous EU's Earth monitoring initiative GMES (established by Regulation (EU) No 911/2010 [14]). 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](/source/Envisat) programme which operated from 2002 to 2012.[15] 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.[16]

### Timeline

- **19 May 1998:** institutions involved in the development of space activities in Europe give birth to GMES through a declaration known as "The Baveno Manifesto". At that time, GMES stands for "Global Monitoring for Environmental Security".

- **Year 1999:** the name is changed to "Global Monitoring for Environment and Security" (GMES), thus illustrating that the management of the environment also has security implications.

- **2001:** at the occasion of the Gothenburg Summit, the Heads of State and Government request that "*the Community contribute to establishing by 2008 a European capacity for Global Monitoring for Environment and Security*".

- **October 2002:** the nature and scope of the "Security" component of GMES are defined as addressing prevention of and response to crises related to natural and technological risk, humanitarian aid and international cooperation, monitoring of compliance with international treaties for conflict prevention, humanitarian and rescue tasks, peacekeeping tasks and surveillance of EU borders.

- **February 2004:** the Commission Communication "*GMES: Establishing a GMES capacity by 2008*" introduces an Action Plan aimed at establishing a working GMES capacity by 2008. In 2004, a Framework Agreement is also signed between EC and ESA, thus providing the basis for a space component of GMES.

- **May 2005:** the Commission Communication "*GMES: From Concept to Reality*" establishes priorities for the roll-out of GMES services in 2008, the initial focus being on land monitoring, marine monitoring and emergency response services, also known as Fast Track Services (FTS). Later services, also known as Pilot Services, are expected to address atmosphere monitoring, security and climate change.

- **June 2006:** the EC establishes the GMES Bureau, with the primary objective of ensuring the delivery of the priority services by 2008. Other objectives of the GMES Bureau are to address the issues of the GMES governance structure and the long-term financial sustainability of the system.

- **May 2007:** adoption of the European Space Policy Communication, recognising GMES as a major flagship of the Space Policy.

- **September 2008:** official launch of the three FTS services and two Pilot services in their pre-operational version at the occasion of the GMES Forum held in [Lille](/source/Lille), [France](/source/France).

- **November 2008:** the Commission Communication "*GMES: We care for a Safer Planet*" establishes a basis for further discussions on the financing, operational infrastructure and effective management of GMES.

- **May 2009:** the Commission Proposal for a Regulation on "*the European Earth Observation Programme (GMES) and its initial operations (2011-2013)*" proposes a legal basis for the GMES programme and EC funding of its initial operations.

- **November 2010:** the regulation on "*the European Earth Observation Programme (GMES) and its initial operations (2011-2013)*" entered into force.

- **June 2011:** the Commission presents its proposal for the next multiannual financial framework (MFF) corresponding to the period 2014-2020 (Communication "A Budget for Europe 2020"). In this document, the Commission proposes to foresee the funding of the GMES programme outside the multiannual financial framework after 2014.

- **November 2011:** The Commission Communication on the "European Earth monitoring programme (GMES) and its operations (from 2014 onwards)" presents the commission's proposals for the future funding, governance and operations of the GMES programme for the period 2014–2020. In particular, the Commission proposes to opt for the creation of a specific GMES fund, similar to the model chosen for the European Development Fund, with financial contributions from all Member States, based on their gross national income (GNI).

- **April 2012:** The Emergency Management Service – Mapping ("EMS-Mapping") is declared the first fully operational service within the GMES Initial Operations.[17]

- **December 2012:** the Commission announces the name change to Copernicus.

- **October 2014:** ESA and European Commission have established a budget for Copernicus Programme covering years 2014–2020 within [Multiannual Financial Framework](/source/Multiannual_Financial_Framework). Budget provided a total of €4.3 billion, including €3.15 billion for ESA to cover operations of the satellite network and construction of the remaining satellites.[18][19]

- **November 2020**: launch of Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich to enable the provision of high-precision and timely observations of the topography of the global ocean

- **January 2021**: the regulation (EU) 2021/696 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 April 2021 establishing the Union Space Programme entered into force establishing a budget of €5.421 billion under the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) corresponding to the period 2021-2027.

- **January 2023**: Copernicus Data Space Ecosystem, the new data access, processing and visualization gateway of the Copernicus Programme is launched. Compared to the earlier Copernicus Open Science Hub, this portal now provides new API-s for data access and download (OData, STAC, openEO, Sentinel Hub), a web browser-based visualization and analysis interface ([Copernicus Browser](https://browser.dataspace.copernicus.eu)), on-board coding interfaces ([JupyterLab](https://dataspace.copernicus.eu/analyse/jupyterlab), [openEO](https://dataspace.copernicus.eu/analyse/openeo)) and on-board cloud processing capacity.[20]

- **October 2024**: [UK](/source/United_Kingdom)'s decision to re-enter Copernicus after [Brexit](/source/Brexit) has been essential to secure funding for the completion of the Copernicus Sentinel Expansion Missions.[21][22][23]

- **April 2026**: [ESA](/source/European_Space_Agency), [NASA](/source/NASA), and various academic institutions perform the [Arctic](/source/Arctic) field campaign called "Copernicus Expansion Missions Sea Ice Experiment" in support of the planned [CIMR (Sentinel-11)](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=CIMR_(Sentinel-11)&action=edit&redlink=1), [CRISTAL (Sentinel-9)](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=CRISTAL_(Sentinel-9)&action=edit&redlink=1), and [ROSE-L (Sentinel-12)](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=ROSE-L_(Sentinel-12)&action=edit&redlink=1) missions.[24][25][26][27][28]

## Sentinel satellites

Main article: [List of Sentinel satellites](/source/List_of_Sentinel_satellites)

[Sentinel 1](/source/Sentinel-1)

[Sentinel 2](/source/Sentinel-2)

[Sentinel-3](/source/Sentinel-3)

[Sentinel 4](/source/Sentinel-4) on [MTG-S](/source/Meteosat#Third_Generation_("MTG"))

[Sentinel-5P](/source/Sentinel-5_Precursor)

[Sentinel-5A](/source/MetOp-SG_A1%2FSentinel-5A) on [MetOp-SG](/source/MetOp-SG)

[Sentinel-6B](/source/Sentinel-6_Michael_Freilich)

Copernicus Sentinel Expansion missions

[CO2M (Sentinel-7)](/source/CO2M_(Sentinel-7))

The [European Space Agency (ESA)](/source/European_Space_Agency) is currently operating seven missions under the Sentinel programme ([Sentinel 1](/source/Sentinel-1), [2](/source/Sentinel-2), [3](/source/Sentinel-3), [4](/source/Sentinel-4), [5P](/source/Sentinel-5_Precursor), 5, 6). The Sentinel missions include radar and super-spectral imaging for land and ocean as well as atmospheric monitoring. Each Sentinel mission except [Sentinel-5P](/source/Sentinel-5_Precursor) is based on a [constellation](/source/Satellite_constellation) of at least two satellites to fulfill and revisit the coverage requirements for each mission, providing robust datasets for all Copernicus services.[29]

In preparation for the second-generation of Copernicus (**Copernicus Sentinel Expansion Missions**), six expansion missions ([Sentinel-7](/source/CO2M_(Sentinel-7)) to 12) are being developed by [ESA](/source/European_Space_Agency) to address EU Policy and gaps in Copernicus user needs, and to increase the current capabilities of the Copernicus Space Component.[30][31] The decision by the [UK](/source/United_Kingdom) to re-enter the EU's Copernicus programme after [Brexit](/source/Brexit) has been essential to secure funding for completion of the Expansion Missions.[21][22][23]

### Sentinel-1

[Sentinel-1](/source/Sentinel-1) provides all-weather, day and night radar imaging for land and ocean services with a maximum resolution of 5 m.[32] The first two satellites were launched aboard [Europeanised Soyuz](/source/Soyuz_at_the_Guiana_Space_Centre) rockets from [Guiana Space Centre](/source/Guiana_Space_Centre).

- **[Sentinel-1A](/source/Sentinel-1A)** successfully launched on 3 April 2014.[33]

- **[Sentinel-1B](/source/Sentinel-1B)** successfully launched on 25 April 2016.[34] Mission declared as ended on 3 August 2022 after a hardware failure.

- **[Sentinel-1C](/source/Sentinel-1C)** successfully launched on 5 December 2024 on a [Vega-C](/source/Vega_C) launch vehicle.[35]

- **[Sentinel-1D](/source/Sentinel-1D)** successfully launched on 4 November 2025 on the third commercial flight of the [Ariane 6](/source/Ariane_6) rocket from [Guiana Space Centre](/source/Guiana_Space_Centre).[36][37]

### Sentinel-2

[Sentinel-2](/source/Sentinel-2) provides high-resolution optical multi-spectral imaging for land services (e.g. imagery of vegetation, soil and water cover, inland waterways and coastal areas) down to a resolution of 10 m.[38] Sentinel-2 also provides information for emergency services. The first 3 satellites launched aboard [Vega](/source/Vega_(rocket)) rockets from [Guiana Space Centre](/source/Guiana_Space_Centre).

- **[Sentinel-2A](/source/Sentinel-2A)** successfully launched on 23 June 2015.[39] While initially meant to retire after the commissioning of Sentinel-2C, the satellite instead began a year-long trial mission in early 2025, to study the usefulness of, for the first time ever, having three Sentinel satellites of the same type working together[40]

- **[Sentinel-2B](/source/Sentinel-2B)** successfully launched on 7 March 2017[41]

- **[Sentinel-2C](/source/Sentinel-2C)** successfully launched on 5 September 2024[42]

- **[Sentinel-2D](/source/Sentinel-2D)** is expected to launch in 2028 on [Vega C](/source/Vega_C)[43][44][45]

### Sentinel-3

[Sentinel-3](/source/Sentinel-3) provides ocean and global land monitoring services via multi-spectral imaging, radiometers, and radar altimeters.[46] First two satellites were launched by a [Eurockot](/source/Eurockot_Launch_Services) [Rokot](/source/Rokot) vehicle from the [Plesetsk Cosmodrome](/source/Plesetsk_Cosmodrome).[47][48]

- **[Sentinel-3A](/source/Sentinel-3A)** successfully launched on 16 February 2016

- **[Sentinel-3B](/source/Sentinel-3B)** successfully launched on 25 April 2018

- **[Sentinel-3C](/source/Sentinel-3C)** is expected to launch in 2026 on [Vega C](/source/Vega_C) from [Guiana Space Centre](/source/Guiana_Space_Centre)[49][50][51]

- **[Sentinel-3D](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sentinel-3D&action=edit&redlink=1)** is expected to launch not earlier than 2028[52][53][54]

### Sentinel-4

[Sentinel-4](/source/Sentinel-4), Europe's first hyperspectral sounding mission in [GEO](/source/Geostationary_Earth_Orbit), provides data for atmospheric composition monitoring for air quality and other purposes as a payload upon [Meteosat](/source/Meteosat) Third Generation satellites[55][56][57][58]

- [**Sentinel-4A**](/source/MTG-S1%2FSentinel-4A) successfully launched on 1 July 2025 aboard the [MTG-S1](/source/MTG-S1%2FSentinel-4A) satellite on a [Falcon 9](/source/Falcon_9) launch vehicle from the [Kennedy Space Center](/source/Kennedy_Space_Center) in [Florida](/source/Florida)[59]

- **[Sentinel-4B](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sentinel-4B&action=edit&redlink=1)** is expected to launch not earlier than 2032[54]

### Sentinel-5P

**[Sentinel-5 Precursor](/source/Sentinel-5_Precursor)** successfully launched on 13 October 2017 on a Eurockot [Rokot](/source/Rokot) vehicle from [Plesetsk](/source/Plesetsk_Cosmodrome).[60] It carries the Tropomi spectrometer go measure pollutants (including methane) and aerosols in the atmosphere. The primary purpose of this mission is to reduce the data gap (especially in [SCIAMACHY](/source/SCIAMACHY) atmospheric observations) between the loss of [Envisat](/source/Envisat) in 2012, and the launch of Sentinel-5A (then scheduled for 2021)[61]

### Sentinel-5

Sentinel-5 will also provide data for atmospheric composition monitoring[62]

- [**Sentinel-5A**](/source/MetOp-SG_A1%2FSentinel-5A) successfully launched on 13 August 2025 from [Guiana Space Centre](/source/Guiana_Space_Centre) on [Ariane 6](/source/Ariane_6) aboard the first [EUMETSAT](/source/EUMETSAT) [Polar System](/source/MetOp) [Second Generation](/source/MetOp-SG) spacecraft [MetOp-SG-A1](/source/MetOp-SG_A1%2FSentinel-5A)[58][63]

- **[Sentinel-5B](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sentinel-5B&action=edit&redlink=1)** is expected to launch in 2033 on EPS-SG-A2[64]

### Sentinel-6

Sentinel-6 is intended to provide continuity in high precision [altimetry](/source/Radar_altimeter) sea level measurements as part of the [Jason satellite series](/source/Jason_satellite_series) following the [Jason-3](/source/Jason-3) satellite.[65]

- [**Sentinel-6A Michael Freilich**](/source/Sentinel-6_Michael_Freilich) successfully launched on 21 November 2020 on [Falcon 9](/source/Falcon_9) launch vehicle from [Vandenberg SLC-4E](/source/Vandenberg_Space_Launch_Complex_4) in [California](/source/California).[66]

- **[Sentinel-6B](/source/Sentinel-6B)** successfully launched on 17 November 2025 on [Falcon 9](/source/Falcon_9).[67]

- **[Sentinel-6C](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sentinel-6C&action=edit&redlink=1)** is expected to launch not earlier than 2032[54]

### CO2M (Sentinel-7)

[CO2M (Sentinel-7)](/source/CO2M_(Sentinel-7)), anthropogenic CO2 emissions monitoring[68]

- **[CO2M-A](/source/CO2M-A_(Sentinel-7A))** is expected to launch in 2027 on a [Vega C](/source/Vega_C) rocket[54][69][70]

- **[CO2M-B](/source/CO2M-B_(Sentinel-7B))** is expected to launch in 2028 on a [Vega C](/source/Vega_C) rocket[71]

- **[CO2M-C](/source/CO2M-C_(Sentinel-7C))** is expected to launch in 2029 on a [Vega C](/source/Vega_C) rocket[72][54]

### LSTM (Sentinel-8)

[LSTM (Sentinel-8)](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=LSTM_(Sentinel-8)&action=edit&redlink=1), high spatio-temporal resolution land surface temperature[73]

- **[LSTM-A](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=LSTM-A_(Sentinel-8A)&action=edit&redlink=1)** is expected to launch in 2028[74][75]

- **[LSTM-B](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=LSTM-B_(Sentinel-8B)&action=edit&redlink=1)** is expected to launch in 2031[76]

### CRISTAL (Sentinel-9)

[CRISTAL (Sentinel-9)](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=CRISTAL_(Sentinel-9)&action=edit&redlink=1), Copernicus Polar Ice and Snow Topography Altimeter[68]

- **[CRISTAL-A](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=CRISTAL-A_(Sentinel-9A)&action=edit&redlink=1)** is expected to launch in 2028[77][78][79][80][81]

### CHIME (Sentinel-10)

[CHIME (Sentinel-10)](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=CHIME_(Sentinel-10)&action=edit&redlink=1), Copernicus Hyperspectral Imaging Mission for the Environment[68]

- **[CHIME-A](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=CHIME-A_(Sentinel-10A)&action=edit&redlink=1)** is expected to launch in 2028[75]

- **[CHIME-B](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=CHIME-B_(Sentinel-10B)&action=edit&redlink=1)** is expected to launch in 2030[75]

### CIMR (Sentinel-11)

[CIMR (Sentinel-11)](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=CIMR_(Sentinel-11)&action=edit&redlink=1), Copernicus Imaging Microwave Radiometer[68]

- **[CIMR-A](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=CIMR-A_(Sentinel-11A)&action=edit&redlink=1)** is expected to launch in 2029[75]

- **[CIMR-B](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=CIMR-B_(Sentinel-11B)&action=edit&redlink=1)** is expected to launch in 2031[75]

### ROSE-L (Sentinel-12)

[ROSE-L (Sentinel-12)](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=ROSE-L_(Sentinel-12)&action=edit&redlink=1), Radar Observing System for Europe – [L-band](/source/L_band) SAR[68][82]

- **[ROSE-L A](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=ROSE-L_A_(Sentinel-12A)&action=edit&redlink=1)** is expected to launch in 2028 or 2029[75][83]

- **[ROSE-L B](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=ROSE-L_B_(Sentinel-12B)&action=edit&redlink=1)** is expected to launch in 2031[84]

## 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)*":

- **[ERS](/source/European_Remote-Sensing_Satellite)**: the European Remote Sensing Satellite ERS-1 (1991–2000) was ESA's first Earth observation satellite. ERS-2 (1995–2011) provided data related to ocean surface temperature, winds at sea and atmospheric ozone.

- **[Envisat](/source/Envisat)** (2002–2012): launched in 2002, ESA's Envisat was the largest civilian Earth Observation spacecraft ever built. It carried sophisticated optical and radar instruments among which the Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (ASAR) and the Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS). Envisat provided continuous observation and monitoring of the Earth's land, atmosphere, oceans and ice caps. After losing contact with the satellite on 8 April 2012, ESA formally announced the end of Envisat's mission on 9 May 2012.[85]

- **[Earth Explorers](/source/Living_Planet_Programme)**: ESA's Earth Explorers are smaller research missions dedicated to specific aspects of Earth environment. Earth Explorer missions focus on research of the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere and the Earth's interior with the overall emphasis on learning more about the interactions between these components and the impact that human activity is having on natural Earth processes. The following two of the nine missions selected for implementation currently (as of 2020) contribute to Copernicus: - [SMOS](/source/Soil_Moisture_and_Ocean_Salinity) (Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity), launched on 2 November 2009. - [CryoSat-2](/source/CryoSat-2) (the measurement of the thickness of floating ice), launched on 8 April 2010.

- **[MSG](/source/Meteosat)**: the Meteosat Second Generation is a joint project between ESA and EUMETSAT.

- **[MetOp](/source/MetOp)**: MetOp is Europe's first polar-orbiting satellite dedicated to operational meteorology. MetOp is a series of three satellites launched sequentially over 12 years from October 2006 to November 2018. The series provides data for both operational meteorology and climate studies until at least 2027.

- French **[SPOT](/source/SPOT_(satellite))**: SPOT (Satellite Pour l'Observation de la Terre) consists of a series of earth observation satellites providing high-resolution images of the Earth. SPOT-4 and SPOT-5 include sensors called VEGETATION able to monitor continental ecosystems.

- German **[TerraSAR-X](/source/TerraSAR-X)**: TerraSAR-X is an Earth observation satellite providing high quality topographic information. TerraSAR-X data has a wide range of applications (e.g. land use / land cover mapping, topographic mapping, forest monitoring, emergency response monitoring, and [environmental monitoring](/source/Environmental_monitoring)).

- Italian **[COSMO-SkyMed](/source/COSMO-SkyMed)**: the COnstellation of small Satellites for the Mediterranean basin Observation is an Earth observation satellite system that consists of (in the 1st generation) four satellites equipped with [Synthetic-aperture radar](/source/Synthetic-aperture_radar) (SAR) sensors. Applications include seismic hazard analysis, environmental disaster monitoring and agricultural mapping. As of 2020, a second-generation of COSMO-SkyMed satellites (called Cosmo-Skymed 2nd generation) is under development.

- UK and international **[DMC](/source/Disaster_Monitoring_Constellation)**: the Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC) is a constellation of remote-sensing satellites. There have been eight satellites in the DMC-program; 3 are currently (as of 2020) active. The constellation provides emergency Earth imaging for disaster relief under the International Charter for Space and Major Disasters.

- French-American **[OSTM/Jason-2](/source/OSTM%2FJason-2)** (2008-2019): the OSTM/JASON-2 satellite provided precise measurements of ocean surface topography, surface wind speed, and wave height; as this type of measurement is a crucial requirement for the Copernicus Marine Services, the European Commission has included this type of mission in its latest communication on the future Copernicus Space Component as Sentinel-6.

- French **[Pléiades](/source/Pl%C3%A9iades_(satellite))**: the Pléiades constellation consists of two satellites providing very high-resolution images of the Earth.

- [Planet Labs](/source/Planet_Labs), a commercial satellite imagery provider whose goal is to image the entirety of the planet daily to monitor changes and pinpoint trends.

- Prométhée Earth Intelligence, a French Earth Observation satellite operator that will provide hyperspectral and multispectral images with its planned Japetus constellation of 20 satellites.[86]

- [OroraTech](/source/OroraTech), a Germany-based commercial earth observation provider focused on [wildfire](/source/Wildfire) situational awareness, is delivering its **[FOREST constellation](/source/OroraTech#FOREST_constellation)** thermal-infrared data (MWIR, 2x LWIR).[87]

- **[HiVE](/source/HiVE)**, a German [satellite constellation](/source/Satellite_constellation) for [thermal imaging](/source/Thermal_imaging)

- **[Hydra](/source/Hydra_(satellite_constellation))**, a Spanish [satellite constellation](/source/Satellite_constellation) for [thermal imaging](/source/Thermal_imaging)

Data provided by non-European satellite missions (e.g. [Landsat](/source/Landsat_program), [GOSAT](/source/Greenhouse_Gases_Observing_Satellite), [Radarsat-2](/source/Radarsat-2)) can also be used by Copernicus.

- [DigitalGlobe](/source/DigitalGlobe), an American commercial vendor of space imagery and geospatial content, provides imagery from satellites with a true maximum resolution of up to 25 cm. The DigitalGlobe tasking constellation currently includes [GeoEye-1](/source/GeoEye-1), [WorldView-1](/source/WorldView-1), [WorldView-2](/source/WorldView-2) and [WorldView-3](/source/WorldView-3). Archive data is also available from [Ikonos](/source/Ikonos) and [QuickBird](/source/QuickBird).

- [LANDSAT](/source/LANDSAT) program (8 satellites, 3 active).

- [GOSAT](/source/GOSAT) program (2 satellites, 2 active).

- [Radarsat-2](/source/RADARSAT_Constellation) satellite.

## *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](/source/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](/source/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](/source/List_of_European_Union_directives#Information_technology) (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:

- **Emergency Management Service** (see video available on the Copernicus.eu website: [Copernicus Emergency Management Service](http://www.copernicus.eu/main/emergency-management)). The service was declared operational on 1 April 2012.

- **Land Monitoring** (see video available on the Copernicus.eu website: [Copernicus Land Monitoring Service](http://www.copernicus.eu/main/land-monitoring)). The service was declared operational on 1 April 2012.

- **Marine Environment Monitoring** (see video available on the Copernicus.eu website: [Copernicus Marine Environment Monitoring Service](http://www.copernicus.eu/main/marine-monitoring)). The service was declared operational on 1 May 2015.

- **[Atmosphere Monitoring](/source/Copernicus_Atmosphere_Monitoring_Service)** (see video available on the Copernicus.eu website: [Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service](http://www.copernicus.eu/main/atmosphere-monitoring)). The service was declared operational in July 2015.

- **Security** (See [Copernicus Service for Security Applications](http://www.copernicus.eu/main/security))

- **[Climate Change](/source/Copernicus_Climate_Change_Service)** (see video available on the Copernicus.eu website: [Copernicus Climate Change Monitoring Service](http://www.copernicus.eu/main/climate-change))

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](/source/MyOcean) (marine), SAFER (emergency response), MACC and its successor MACC II (atmosphere) and [G-MOSAIC](/source/G-MOSAIC) (security). Most of these projects also contributed to the monitoring of Climate Change.

- **geoland2** started on 1 September 2008. The project covered a wide range of domains such as land use, [land cover](/source/Land_cover) change, [soil sealing](/source/Soil_sealing), [water quality](/source/Water_quality) and availability, spatial planning, [forest management](/source/Forest_management), [carbon storage](/source/Carbon_storage) and global [food security](/source/Food_security).

- **MyOcean** started on 1 January 2009. It covered themes such as maritime security, [oil spill prevention](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Oil_spill_prevention&action=edit&redlink=1), marine resource management, [climate change](/source/Climate_change), seasonal forecast, coastal activities, ice survey and [water pollution](/source/Water_pollution).

- [**SAFER**](https://web.archive.org/web/20090718231434/http://www.emergencyresponse.eu/) started on 1 January 2009. The project addressed three main domains: civil protection, humanitarian aid and Security crises management.

- [**MACC**](https://web.archive.org/web/20091030085742/http://gmes-atmosphere.eu/) started on 1 June 2009. The project continued and refined the products developed in the projects [GEMS](https://web.archive.org/web/20090429095113/http://gems.ecmwf.int/) and [PROMOTE](http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20100604181907/http://www.gse-promote.org/). A second phase (MACC II) lasted until July 2014 allowing the now operational Copernicus atmospheric monitoring service (CAMS, see above).

- [**GMOSAIC**](https://web.archive.org/web/20090826161936/http://www.gmes-gmosaic.eu/) started on 1 January 2009. Together with the LIMES project [Wayback Machine](https://web.archive.org/web/20100124033856/http://www.fp6-limes.eu/) (co-funded by the European Commission under FP6), [GMOSAIC](/source/GMOSAIC) specifically dealt with the Security domain of Copernicus addressing topics such as Support to Intelligence and Early Warning and Support to Crisis Management Operations.

## 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".[9]

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

Some Copernicus services make use of [OpenStreetMap](/source/OpenStreetMap) data in their maps production.[88]

## Other relevant initiatives

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

- [INSPIRE](/source/List_of_European_Union_directives#Information_technology): this initiative aims at building a European spatial data infrastructure beyond national boundaries.

- Urban Atlas: Compiled from thousands of satellite photographs, the Urban Atlas provides detailed and cost-effective digital mapping, ensuring that city planners have the most up-to-date and accurate data available on land use and land cover. The Urban Atlas will enable urban planners to better assess risks and opportunities, ranging from the threat of flooding and the impact of climate change, to identifying new infrastructure and public transport needs. All cities in the EU will be covered by the Urban Atlas by 2011.

- [SEIS](http://ec.europa.eu/environment/seis/): The Shared Environmental Information System (SEIS) is a collaborative initiative of the European Commission and the European Environment Agency (EEA) to establish together with the Member States an integrated and shared EU-wide environmental information system.

- Heterogeneous Missions Accessibility, the [European Space Agency](/source/European_Space_Agency) initiative for [interoperability](/source/Interoperability) of [Earth observation satellite](/source/Earth_observation_satellite) payload data ground segments.

Copernicus is one of three related initiatives that are the subject of the GIGAS (*[GEOSS](/source/GEOSS), [INSPIRE](/source/List_of_European_Union_directives#Information_technology) and [GMES](/source/GMES) an Action in Support*) harmonization and analysis project[89] under the auspices of the [EU](/source/European_Union) [7th Framework Programme](/source/7th_Framework_Programme).[90]

## 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**

- [Norway](/source/Norway)

- [Switzerland](/source/Switzerland)

- [Iceland](/source/Iceland)

**Data exchange**

- [United States](/source/United_States)[91] (from 2015)

- [Australia](/source/Australia)[91]

- [Ukraine](/source/Ukraine)[91]

- [Serbia](/source/Serbia)[91]

- [African Union](/source/African_Union)[91]

- [Brazil](/source/Brazil)[91] (from 2018)

- [Chile](/source/Chile)[91] (from 2018)

- [Colombia](/source/Colombia)[91] (from 2018)

- [India](/source/India)[91] (from 2018)

- [Canada](/source/Canada)[91] (from 2022)

- [Panama](/source/Panama)[91] (from 2022)

- [Japan](/source/Japan)[91] (from 2023)

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

**2021–2027 budget contributing countries**

- [Norway](/source/Norway)

- [Iceland](/source/Iceland)

**Enlargement**

- [United Kingdom](/source/United_Kingdom): The UK rejoined the programme in 2024.[92][93]

## See also

- [Spaceflight portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Spaceflight)

Wikimedia Commons has media related to ***[Copernicus Programme](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Copernicus_Programme)*** and ***[Copernicus Sentinel Satellite Imagery](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Copernicus_Sentinel_Satellite_Imagery)***.

- [CNES](/source/CNES)

- [European Space Technology Platform](/source/European_Space_Technology_Platform)

- [French space program](/source/French_space_program)

- [Mission Science Division](/source/Mission_Science_Division)

- [German Aerospace Center](/source/German_Aerospace_Center)

- [German space programme](/source/German_space_programme)

- [List of ESA programmes and missions](/source/List_of_European_Space_Agency_programmes_and_missions)

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## External links

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- [Copernicus Programme website](http://www.copernicus.eu/)

- [European Commission's Copernicus web site](http://ec.europa.eu/growth/sectors/space/copernicus/index_en.htm)

- [ESA Copernicus web site](http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/Copernicus)

- [Copernicus reference documents](https://web.archive.org/web/20140410222729/http://www.copernicus.eu/pages-principales/library/policy-documents/)

- [Copernicus Data Space Ecosystem Website](https://dataspace.copernicus.eu/)

- [GNU (GMES Network of Users)](https://web.archive.org/web/20090528235125/http://www.gmes-network-of-users.eu/)

- [GEO (Group on Earth Observation)](http://www.earthobservations.org)

- [SEIS (Shared Environmental Information System)](http://ec.europa.eu/environment/seis/)

- [Article upon the 1st GMES Masters](http://www.cad.fr/en/newsletter/index.php?numID=206&rub=271&txt=act8837)

- [GISC Website](https://web.archive.org/web/20100904102157/http://gisc.ew.eea.europa.eu/)

- A video presenting the Copernicus programme is available on the Copernicus.eu website ([Video presenting the Copernicus Programme](https://web.archive.org/web/20181103182626/http://www.copernicus.eu/main/overview))

v t e Copernicus Programme List of Sentinel satellites Sentinel satellites Classes Sentinel-1 Sentinel-2 Sentinel-3 Sentinel-4 Sentinel-5 Sentinel-6 CO2M (Sentinel-7) Launches Sentinel-1A (Apr 2014) Sentinel-2A (Jun 2015) Sentinel-3A (Feb 2016) Sentinel-1B (Apr 2016) Sentinel-2B (Mar 2017) Sentinel-5P (Oct 2017) Sentinel-3B (Apr 2018) Sentinel-6A (Nov 2020) Sentinel-2C (Sep 2024) Sentinel-1C (Dec 2024) Sentinel-4A (Jul 2025) Sentinel-5A (Aug 2025) Sentinel-1D (Nov 2025) Sentinel-6B (Nov 2025) Planned Sentinel-2D Sentinel-3C CO2M-A (Sentinel-7A) CO2M-B (Sentinel-7B) CO2M-C (Sentinel-7C) Contributing missions SAR ERS-2 Envisat COSMO-SkyMed ICEYE Radarsat-2 TerraSAR-X TanDEM-X Paz Optical Balkan Constellation Deimos-2 Disaster Monitoring Constellation EnMAP Envisat ERS-2 FOREST HiROS HiVE Hydra Hyperfield Pléiades Prisma Proba-V RapidEye Ingenio SPOT VENµS Altimetry Envisat CryoSat Ocean Surface Topography Mission SARAL Atmospheric CALIPSO Envisat Merlin Meteosat Second Generation MetOp Category Commons

v t e European Space Agency Space Centres Guiana Esrange Launch vehicles Ariane 6 Vega C Facilities Space Operations Centre Space Research and Technology Centre Centre for Earth Observation European Astronaut Centre Space Astronomy Centre Space Applications and Telecommunications Centre Concurrent Design Facility Space Telescope European Coordinating Facility Optical Ground Station Flyeye Phi Lab Near-Earth Object Coordination Centre Communications ESTRACK European Data Relay System Programmes Science Programme Cosmic Vision Terrae Novae ExoMars FutureEO FLPP PRIDE Space Safety Programme Copernicus Predecessors European Launcher Development Organisation European Space Research Organisation Related topics Arianespace Avio ESA TV EUMETSAT EUSPA EU Space Programme Projects and missions Science Astronomy & cosmology Cos-B (1975–1982) IUE (1978–1996) EXOSAT (1983–1986) Hipparcos (1989–1993) Hubble Space Telescope (1990–present) Eureca (1992–1993) ISO (1995–1998) XMM-Newton (1999–present) INTEGRAL (2002–2025) CoRoT (2006–2013) Planck (2009–2013) Herschel (2009–2013) Gaia (2013–2025) CHEOPS (2019–present) James Webb Space Telescope (2021–present) Euclid (2023–present) PLATO (2027) QUVIK (2028) ARIEL (2031) ARRAKIHS (2030s) Athena (2035) LISA (2035) Earth observation Meteosat First Generation (1977–1997) ERS-1 (1991–2000) ERS-2 (1995–2011) Meteosat Second Generation (2002–present) Envisat (2002–2012) Double Star (2003–2007) MetOp (2006–present) GOCE (2009–2013) SMOS (2009–present) CryoSat-2 (2010–present) Swarm (2013–present) Copernicus (2014–present) Sentinel-1 (2014–present) 1A 1B 1C 1D Sentinel-2 (2015–present) 2A 2B 2C Sentinel-3 (2016–present) 3A 3B Sentinel-5 Precursor (2017–present) ADM-Aeolus (2018–2023) ICEYE (2018–present) Phi-Sat-1 (2020–present) Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich (2020–present) Meteosat Third Generation (2022–present) MTG-I1 (2022–present) MTG-S1/Sentinel-4A (2025–present) MTG-I2 (2026) FOREST (2022–present) Phi-Sat-2 (2024–present) Hyperfield (2024–present) EarthCARE (2024–present) HiVE (2025–present) IRIDE (2025–present) Biomass (2025–present) MetOp-SG (2025–present) MetOp-SG A1/Sentinel-5A (2025–present) MetOp-SG B1 (2026) Sentinel-6B (2025–present) HydroGNSS (2025–present) Balkan Constellation (2025-present) Atlantic Constellation (2025-present) VIREON (2026–present) ALTIUS (2026) FLEX (2026) FORUM (2027) CO2M (Sentinel-7) (2027) NanoMagSat (2027) Arctic Ocean Surveillance (2028) Tango (2028) EPS-Sterna (2029) Harmony (2029) SOVA-S (2030) Wivern (2032) Hibidis (future) Planetary science Giotto (1985–1992) Huygens (1997–2005) SMART-1 (2003–2006) Mars Express (2003–present) Rosetta / Philae (2004–2016) Venus Express (2005–2014) Trace Gas Orbiter (2016–present) BepiColombo (2018–present) Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (2023–present) Hera (2024–present) MoonLIGHT (2026) M-Argo (2027) LUMIO (2027) Ramses (2028) Rosalind Franklin rover (2028) Comet Interceptor (2028) Máni (2029) Argonaut (2030) EnVision (2031) Solar physics & space weather ISEE-2 (1977–1987) Ulysses (1990–2009) SOHO (1995–present) Cluster II (2000–2024) Solar Orbiter (2020–present) SMILE (2026–present) HENON (2026) SWING (2027) SAWA (2028) Aurora-D (2030) Vigil (2031) Human spaceflight European Astronaut Corps (1983–present) Spacelab (1983–1998) Euromir (1994–1995) ISS contributions ELIPS (2001–present) Columbus (2008–present) Columbus External Payload Facility (2008–present) Automated Transfer Vehicle (2008–2015) Cupola (2010-present) Bartolomeo (2020-present) European Robotic Arm (2021-present) Artemis program European Service Module (2022-present) LEO Cargo Return Service (2028) Telecommunications and navigation GEOS 2 (1978) Olympus-1 (1989–1993) Artemis (2001–2017) EGNOS (2005–present) GIOVE-A (2005–present) GIOVE-B (2008–present) HYLAS-1 (2010–present) Galileo IOV (2011–present) Galileo FOC (2014–present) European Data Relay System (2016–present) ESAIL (2020–2025) Spainsat NG (2025–present) Celeste (LEO-PNT) (2026–present) Lunar Pathfinder (2026) IRIS² (2027) Moonlight Programme (2028) Electra (future) HydRON (future) Technology demonstration and education CAT-1 (1979) YES (1997) PROBA-1 (2001–present) YES2 (2007) PROBA-2 (2009–present) PROBA-V (2013–present) ESTCube-1 (2013–2015) TechDemoSat-1 (2014–2019) GOMX-3 (2015–2016) LISA Pathfinder (2015–2017) e-st@r-II (2016–2024) GOMX-4B (2018–2024) OPS-SAT (2019–2024) SIMBA (2020–2024) PICASSO (2020–2024) RadCube (2021–2024) Sunstorm (2021–2024) PRETTY (2023–2024) MANTIS (2023–2025) EIRSAT-1 (2023–present) MicroHETsat (2023–present) PROBA-V CubeSat Companion (2023–present) JoeySat (2023–present) Intuition-1 (2023–present) YPSat-1 (2024) PROBA-3 (2024–present) ISTSat-1 (2024–present) AIX (2025–present) DUTHSat-2 (2025–present) GENA-OT (2025–present) MICE-1 (2025–present) PHASMA (2025–present) ERMIS (2026–present) OptiSat (2026–present) PeakSat (2026–present) Hellenic Space Dawn (2026–present) FrontierSat (2026–present) CubeSpec (2026) GOMX-5 (2026) ΣYNDEO‑3 (2026) Eagle-1 (2026) e.Inspector (2027) VULCAIN (2027) Draco (2027) PRELUDE (2027) ClearSpace-1 (2028) SROC (2028) SAGA (future) Launch and reentry Ariane rocket family (1979–present) ARD (1998) Vega (2012–2024) IXV (2015) European Launcher Challenge (2025–present) Themis (2026) Space Rider (2028) Proposed Aurora-C L4 Ariane Next LightShip MAGPIE Moonraker NEOMIR NGGM Solaris Satis THESEUS VMMO Cancelled AIDA Ariane 5 ME Aurora programme Calathus Mission Ceres Polar Lander Columbus Man-Tended Free Flyer CSTS Darwin Mission Don Quijote e.Deorbit EChO Eddington EXPERT HERACLES Hermes Hopper LOFT Lunar Gateway Lunar I-Hab ESPRIT Lunar Lander Marco Polo MarcoPolo-R NASA-ESA Mars Sample Return ODINUS Phootprint SKIM SPICA STE-QUEST TRUTHS Failed Cluster CryoSat-1 GEOS 1 QARMAN Schiaparelli EDM Future missions in italics Category Commons Wikinews WikiProject

v t e Politics of outer space Spacefaring nations Space policy Space traffic management Space debris management Space Debris Working Group Space Debris Committee Planetary protection principle Post-detection policy Asteroid impact Prediction Avoidance Spaceguard The Spaceguard Foundation Space races Cold War Space Race Sputnik crisis Timeline Billionaire space race Mars race Records Space propaganda Space competition Chinese space program Two Bombs, One Satellite doctrine (1966–1976) Shuguang program (1966–1972) Chinese ASAT program (1964–) 2007 test Project 921 (1992–) Shenzhou program Tiangong program Space station Chinese Lunar Exploration Program (2003–) Mars and beyond Planetary Exploration of China (2016–) MARS-500 study ESA Science Programme European Launcher Development Organisation (1960–1975) Europa launcher programme (1962–1973) European Space Research Organisation (1964–1975) European Space Agency (1975–) EU/ESA Space Council European Cooperation for Space Standardization European Space Research and Technology Centre Concurrent Design Facility European Astronaut Centre ESA Centre for Earth Observation Living Planet Programme European Centre for Space Applications and Telecommunications European Data Relay System Space Telescope European Coordinating Facility (1983–2010) European Space Astronomy Centre (2005–) European Space Security and Education Centre European Space Operations Centre ESTRACK network Guiana Space Centre Ariane launcher programme (1973–) Vega launcher programme (1998–) European Space Policy Institute Space Situational Awareness Programme Future Launchers Preparatory Programme Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle PRIDE Space Rider ESA Television Mars and beyond Mars Exploration Joint Initiative MARS-500 study Aurora programme ExoMars Horizon 2000 (1985–1995) SOHO Cassini–Huygens Huygens Cluster Cluster II XMM-Newton Rosetta INTEGRAL Herschel Planck Horizon 2000 Plus (1995–2015) ISS programme Politics Gaia LISA Pathfinder BepiColombo Cosmic Vision (2015–2025) Solar Orbiter Euclid ARIEL EnVision CHEOPS JUICE ATHENA LISA Comet Interceptor SMILE EU Space Programme Western European Union Satellite Centre (1992–2002) EU Satellite Centre (2002–) EU/ESA Space Council EU Commission DG Defence Industry and Space European GNSS Supervisory Authority (2004–2010) European GNSS Agency (2010–2021) EU Agency for the Space Programme (2021–) Galileo programme Copernicus programme EGNOS programme EUSST programme Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications European Union Aviation Safety Agency European Network of Civil Aviation Safety Investigation Authorities European Defence Agency Europe by Satellite Other European initiatives and bodies AeroSpace and Defence Industries Association of Europe Eurospace Eurocontrol Council of Europe Council of European Aerospace Societies European Broadcasting Union European Civil Aviation Conference European Committee for Standardization/European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations European Telecommunications Standards Institute European Organisation for Civil Aviation Equipment European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites European Patent Organisation European Patent Office European Telecommunications Satellite Organization European Southern Observatory Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Indian space policy Department of Space Space Activities Bill Chandrayaan programme Mangalyaan programme Indian Human Spaceflight Programme Indian ASAT programme Mission Shakti British space programme Creation of the British National Committee for Space Research (1958) Start of the Ariel programme (1962) Black Arrow launcher (1964–1971) Creation of the British National Space Centre (1985) Outer Space Act 1986 Project Juno (1991) Space Innovation and Growth Team (2009–2010) Creation of the UK Space Agency (2010) Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015 Space Industry Act 2018 UK Global Navigation Satellite System (2018–2020) 2021 Integrated Review Defence in a Competitive Age US space policy Truman space policy Operation Paperclip list of scientists Aerobee rocket program RAND Establishment of Cape Canaveral Eisenhower space policy WS-117L Project Vanguard Sputnik crisis Introduction to Outer Space 1958 NASA Act Space Act Agreement Cancellation of Man in Space Soonest Launch of Project Mercury Missile gap Launch of X-15 program Kennedy space policy Launch of the Mariner program Launch of the Gemini project Launch of the Apollo program "We choose to go to the Moon" Johnson space policy 1967 Outer Space Treaty Nixon space policy Moon landing Extra-Terrestrial Exposure Law Launch of the Space Shuttle Program Skylab Ford space policy Apollo–Soyuz Launch of the Viking program Carter space policy Reagan space policy Citizens' Advisory Council Strategy of Technology doctrine Strategic Defense Initiative Space Station Freedom proposal 1984 Space Act 1985 anti-satellite missile test Space Shuttle Challenger disaster Rogers Report Ride Report George H. W. Bush space policy Space Exploration Initiative 1990 Augustine Committee Hubble Space Telescope National Space Council Clinton space policy Faster, better, cheaper Gore–Chernomyrdin Commission ISS Shuttle–Mir program ISS programme Politics Launch of the Mars Exploration Program 1998 Space Act Decadal Planning Team Launch of the X-37 program George W. Bush space policy Aerospace Industry Commission 2002 National missile defense directive Space Shuttle Columbia disaster Vision for Space Exploration Aldridge Commission ESAS 2005 NASA Act Launch of the Constellation program Operation Burnt Frost Obama space policy 2009 Augustine Committee Kennedy Space Center speech Cancellation of the Constellation program Launch of the Space Launch System program Redesign of the Orion program Flexible path Mars Exploration Joint Initiative 2010 NASA Act Title 51 Space Shuttle retirement Development of the Commercial Crew Program 2014 NASA Act 2015 Space Act First Trump space policy Re-establishment of the National Space Council Creation of the Space Force Launch of the Artemis program Launch of the Lunar Gateway project Executive Order 13959 Biden space policy Return to lunar exploration Second Trump space policy Golden Dome missile defense system Expanding the commercial spaceflight industry First lunar flyby since Apollo Returning humans to the Moon China exclusion policy of NASA International Traffic in Arms Regulations Full-spectrum dominance doctrine Budget of NASA House Committee on Space NESDIS Office of Space Commerce FCC FAA/AST NRO IEEE Aerospace and Electronic Systems Society Antennas & Propagation Society Broadcast Technology Society Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society Vehicular Technology Society USSR and Russia Soviet space program Stalin Operation Osoaviakhim (1946) list of scientists Khrushchev Sputnik program Sputnik crisis (1957) Vostok program (1960–1963) Fractional Orbital Bombardment System (1960–1982) Soviet crewed lunar programs (1961–1976) Voskhod program (1964–1966) Brezhnev Soyuz program (1967–) Interkosmos (1967–1991) Salyut program (1971–1986) Almaz (1973–1977) Buran program (1974–1993) Apollo–Soyuz (1975) Gorbachev Mir (1986–2001) Roscosmos Yeltsin Gore–Chernomyrdin Commission ISS (1993–) Shuttle–Mir program ISS programme Politics Medvedev Medvedev modernisation programme 2010 Military doctrine Putin United Rocket and Space Corporation (2013–2015) 2014 Military doctrine 2015 Creation of Roscosmos Mars MARS-500 study ExoMars Other policies Australian space program Brazilian space program Emirati space program Japanese space program Kazakh space program Kenyan space program Lebanese space program North Korean space program Pakistani space program Space programme 2040 Philippine space program South Korean space program Ugandan space initiatives International Space Station programme Politics of the International Space Station United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization ITU-R Office for Outer Space Affairs UN-SPIDER Space Generation Advisory Council Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space General Assembly Fourth Committee Other intergovernmental or inter-agency bodies African Space Agency Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems Committee on Earth Observation Satellites Committee on Space Research International Planetary Data Alliance International Cospas-Sarsat Programme Group on Earth Observations Global Standards Collaboration Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee International Charter 'Space and Major Disasters' International Mobile Satellite Organization International Space Exploration Coordination Group International Space Station Multilateral Coordination Board International Telecommunications Satellite Organization Intersputnik Orbital Debris Co-ordination Working Group Regional African Satellite Communication Organization Arab Satellite Communications Organization Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization Space law Partial Test Ban Treaty (1963) Outer Space Treaty (1967) Rescue Agreement (1968) Space Liability Convention (1972) US-USSR Cooperation Agreement (1972) Satellite Convention (1974) Registration Convention (1975) Bogota Declaration (1976) Moon Treaty (1979) Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space (1981) International Cospas-Sarsat Programme Agreement (1988) International Space Station Intergovernmental Agreement (1998) International Docking System Standard International Charter 'Space and Major Disasters' (1999) Cape Town Treaty, Space Assets protocol (2012) Artemis Accords (2020) Space jurisdiction Common heritage of mankind Extraterrestrial real estate Astronomical naming conventions ITU Radio Regulations CCSDS standards ODCWG standards CEOS standards COSPAR standards International Designator IPDA standards GSC standards GEO standards ISECG standards Various conventions, treaties, agreements, memorandums, charters or declarations establishing and governing intergovernmental organisations or inter-agency bodies dealing with space affairs Commercial use Space industry India Russia United Kingdom United States Private spaceflight Launch market competition Space tourism Space advertising Space technology Space-based economy Space trade Space manufacturing Lunar resources Project Harvest Moon Asteroid mining Militarisation Space forces, units and formations Space forces Australia Brazil Canada China Colombia France Germany Iran AJA IRGC Israel Japan Netherlands New Zealand North Korea Pakistan Russia South Africa South Korea Spain Thailand Turkey United Kingdom United States History Structure Vietnam Ranks and insignia Space commands Australia France India Italy Mexico NATO NORAD Peru South Korea Spain United Kingdom United States Space warfare Space domain awareness Space weapon Anti-satellite weapon China India Russia United States Kinetic bombardment Kill vehicle Missile defense Military satellite Reconnaissance satellite Spaceplane Satellite jamming Space advocacy Air & Space Forces Association Alliance for Space Development National Space Society Space Frontier Foundation Mars Society Moon Society Students for the Exploration and Development of Space Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies British Interplanetary Society Coalition for Deep Space Exploration International Academy of Astronautics International Astronautical Federation International Astronomical Union Lunar Explorers Society Space Exploration Alliance Space Fellowship Space Force Association Space Foundation The Planetary Society

v t e Public-sector space agencies Africa Pan-African and pan-Arab RASCOM Arabsat National ASAL EgSA NARSS ESSTI GSSTC KSA CRTS NASRDA SANSA Americas North America CSA NASA NESDIS OSC FAA/AST FCC USSF USSPACECOM NRO Latin America and the Caribbean ALCE AEM CONAE ABE AEB DCTA INPE ITA CCE ABAE IVIC Asia Pan-Asian APSCO Central Asia KazCosmos1 Roscosmos1 SRI VK TNSA1 East Asia CNSA SASTIND CASC CALT CAST CCF CGWIC PLAASF CASIC JAXA ISAS JSS NICT NATA KASA KARI KASI SaTReC TASA South Asia BSPARRSO ISRO2 Antrix Corp DoS NRSC NSIL DSA SUPARCO Southeast Asia BRIN ORPA INASA MYSA PhilSA NSAS GISTDA VNSC MSA West Asia ArmCosmos1 MAKA1 NSSA NEHSA ISA ISRC ISA NCSR SSA KACST-SRI SSA2 GORS TUA TÜBİTAK UZAY UAESA (MBRSC) Europe Pan-European CEN/CENELEC CEPT ETSI Eurocontrol ECAC ESA ECSS ESTEC EAC ESRIN ECSAT ESAC ESOC ESTRACK Guiana Space Centre EUMETSAT EUTELSAT IGO ESO EU and EEA DG DEFIS EUSPA EU SatCen EASA BEREC ALR2 BELSPO BIRA-IASB SRTI2 CSO2 DTU Space ESO1 CNES2 AAE CdE DLR2 HSA HSO2 ASI LSA LSO1 SRON NLSA NOSA POLSA2 CBK PAN UKE KRRiT ORO ULC PTSPACE ROSA2 INTA AEC EAE AEE SNSA Other ArmCosmos1 MAKA1 BSA1 KazCosmos1 Roscosmos1 SRI VVKO SSO TUA TÜBİTAK UZAY SSAU1 UKSA2 Oceania ASA CSIRO NZSA World CCSDS CEOS COSPAR IPDA Cospas-Sarsat GEO GSC IADC ICSMD IMSO ISECG ISS MCB ITSO Intersputnik ODCWG ITU-R UNCOPUOS UNOOSA UNOSAT Former BNSC KCST INCOSPAR LAPAN NAL NASDA SSP MOM Interkosmos See also: Timeline of first orbital launches by country 1 Preceded by the Soviet space program 2 Preceded by Interkosmos participation

v t e Satellite constellations Navigation BeiDou Galileo GLONASS GPS IRNSS QZSS Communication Operational BGAN DSCS Globalstar Guowang Iridium O3b O3b mPOWER Orbcomm OneWeb Qianfan Starlink Tianlian TDRS ViaSat WGS Proposed Amazon Leo HydRON IRIS² Telesat Lightspeed KPS SpaceMobile UASAT Abandoned Celestri Teledesic Observation Atlantic Constellation Aurora-C Balkan Constellation BRO EarthDaily EPS-Sterna FOREST Hydra ICARUS 2.0 ICEYE IRIDE Planet Pleiades RapidEye Sentinel VIREON

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF National United States 2 Czech Republic Norway Latvia Sweden Other Yale LUX

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Copernicus Programme](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copernicus_Programme) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copernicus_Programme?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.