The 2021 report tracks the growing numbers of users and download volumes, in part a result of newly-available products from Sentinel-6 and the atmospheric composition data streams of Sentinel-3.
EUMETSAT Copernicus Programme Manager Lieven Bydekerke said: “A big step forward has been taken in 2021, with Sentinel-6 data becoming routinely available. These are important data for operational oceanography and monitoring sea level rise. Also our Sentinel-3 atmosphere products will contribute to better face challenges on managing wildfires. The importance of our data in the ocean and atmosphere value chains is clearly demonstrated through this report. Over 2500 terabytes of data from Copernicus missions operated by EUMETSAT were downloaded in 2021.”
The satellite value chain
This year's report includes special features exploring the value chain of the Sentinel data once it leaves EUMETSAT, contributes to products from the Copernicus services, and ultimately benefits companies and national monitoring efforts in Europe.
Atmospheric composition expert, Federico Fierli said: “Sentinel-3 is key for many applications. In recent years we have seen many wildfire-related emergencies in Europe, and around the world. Sentinel-3 data contributes to the monitoring of these, supporting emergency response, and understanding of the phenomena. EUMETSAT is committed to continued development of these activities, both under Copernicus and mandatory missions”.
Supporting users to work with Copernicus data
Training and outreach activities have been a vital component of helping to grow the uptake of the data delivered by EUMETSAT, as part of the first phase of the Copernicus programme.
“The user base (current and potential) of Copernicus data is large and diverse. As such, our training activities have to been designed to meet a wide variety of needs. It has been incredibly rewarding to work with users of Sentinel-3 data in training events since 2017, and to see the tangible outcomes when users are able to take data and integrate it in to their research, or work activities” said Marine Applications expert, Hayley Evers-King.
The 2021 report features a summary of training activities conducted, plus the achievements of participants, including published research, degree theses, integration of data in to regional monitoring and advisory activities, and hosting their own training courses.
Another feature of the 2021 report is an article on the AI4EO massive open online course (MOOC), which introduced new and existing to users to tools and application of artificial intelligence techniques for working with Copernicus data.
EUMETSAT and Copernicus
EUMETSAT is entrusted by the European Commission to operate satellite missions, deliver data, and provide support services to the Copernicus programme.
The organisation operates the Sentinel-3 and Sentinel-6 missions, and will soon operate the Sentinel-4 and Sentinel-5 missions. The Jason-3 high-precision ocean altimetry mission is operated in cooperation with the French Space Agency CNES, NOAA and NASA. EUMETSAT provides data from this mission to the Copernicus programme.
In addition, EUMETSAT provides data from its own missions, and from third-party missions, to Copernicus users and Copernicus services, such as the Copernicus Marine Environment Monitoring Service, the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service, and the Copernicus Climate Change Service.
