Satellite Data & Copernicus Data Access
At the heart of Copernicus is a constellation of satellites – the Sentinels – providing daily observations of Earth. This data ecosystem is the largest space data provider worldwide, supporting environmental monitoring, research, and sustainable decision-making.
Copernicus Space Component
The Copernicus Space Component consists of the Sentinel satellites, which generate high-quality reference products. These satellites are complemented by the Copernicus Contributing Missions, including other European, national, and international satellites, along with land, air, and marine-based sensors.
Core Ground Segment & Reference Products
- Command and control of Sentinel satellites
- Acquisition of Sentinel data and generation of Sentinel Reference Products
- Long-Term Archive (LTA) to securely store reference products over extended periods
Copernicus Services Reference Products
Copernicus Services use Sentinel reference products and other data sources to produce thematic information. These services include:
- Atmosphere Monitoring (CAMS)
- Marine Monitoring (CMEMS)
- Land Monitoring (CLMS)
- Climate Change (C3S)
- Emergency Management (EMS)
- Security & Safety
Copernicus Data Portals
Data and reference products are accessible via multiple portals, each tailored to different users and services:
- CDSE Portal: Sentinel 1,2,3,5P + Contributing Missions, visualization & cloud processing. dataspace.copernicus.eu
- WEkEO Portal: Sentinel 1,2,3,5P,6 + other mission data, visualization & cloud processing. wekeo.eu
- CAMS Portal: Atmospheric composition data (Sentinel 5P primary). atmosphere.copernicus.eu
- CMEMS Portal: Ocean data from Sentinel 1,2,3,6 + in-situ measurements. marine.copernicus.eu
- CLMS Portal: Land monitoring from Sentinel 1,2 + other data sources. land.copernicus.eu
- C3S Portal: Climate change reference products from Sentinel 1,3 + in-situ data. climate.copernicus.eu
- EMS Portals: Emergency maps, floods, wildfires, and drought data. Emergency Mapping | EFAS | GloFAS
- Security Services: Limited public access for EU border, maritime, and SESA monitoring. SESA Portal
Accessing Data Externally
Beyond the official Copernicus portals, several European and international collaborating ground segment portals, commercial providers, and governmental portals provide Sentinel data or derived products. Notable examples include:
- European Collaborating Ground Segment Portals
- International Collaborating Ground Segment Portals
- EUMETSAT User Portal
- NASA Earth Data Portal
Why Use Copernicus Data?
- Trustworthy, high-quality reference products generated under operational monitoring
- Comprehensive coverage of Earth’s land, ocean, atmosphere, and climate systems
- Open and free access for research, business, and policy applications
- Supports sustainable decision-making, climate studies, and disaster response
For more information about Copernicus services, licensing, and open data, visit Copernicus Copyright & Licenses.