Relationships with partners in Europe

Earth observation from space for weather and climate monitoring is essential for Europe’s economy, security and independence. From farming and transportation to disaster response and insurance, it keeps daily life running and strengthens European autonomy.

EUMETSAT is Europe’s trusted operational partner for continuous global observations, reliable data and direct support services. Built around users’ needs, it cooperates closely with the European Commission, European Parliament, Council of the European Union and the EU Space Programme Agency to ensure that efforts are aligned and benefits to EUMETSAT member states. The cooperation with the European Union is holistic and addresses a wide range of European policies.

A central pillar of this partnership is, and will remain, Copernicus, Europe’s Earth observation programme. Until 2034, EUMETSAT will focus on deploying and operating missions that monitor the oceans, the atmosphere, greenhouse gases and the climate. It will deliver satellite data, ensure easy access and provide user support, working closely with the European Space Agency.

Over the oceans, EUMETSAT will continue operating Sentinel-3 and Sentinel-6 missions, alongside international partners such as NASA and NOAA in the United States. It will prepare the next generation of these missions and develop the ground systems that turn raw satellite signals into usable information. It will also process data from new missions measuring polar ice, snow and microwave signals from Earth’s surface.

In the atmosphere, EUMETSAT will operate Sentinel-4 and Sentinel-5 to track air quality and greenhouse gases. It will play a leading role in the upcoming carbon dioxide monitoring mission, CO2M, handling routine satellite operations and ensuring that the data are processed, checked and delivered to users. It will also support the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service by providing input data for models that estimate human-caused emissions.

EUMETSAT will also bring its expertise in managing and processing data to the upcoming Copernicus expansion missions, CMIR and CRISTAL, for which it will generate user-ready products.

Data access will be key. EUMETSAT will distribute near-real-time products to Copernicus services covering the ocean, atmosphere, emergencies and climate change. Through the WEkEO platform, run with partners including ECMWF and Mercator Ocean, it will help provide unified access to all Copernicus data. Regular dialogue with service providers will ensure products evolve with users’ needs.

Beyond Copernicus, EUMETSAT will explore roles in areas such as space weather monitoring and assess possible cooperation with new EU initiatives like the IRIS² satellite constellation and EOGS. It will also contribute to the European Commission’s international space dialogues, promoting cooperation worldwide.

Under the EU’s Digital Agenda, EUMETSAT will remain a key partner in Destination Earth, building and operating the data infrastructure behind highly detailed digital models of the planet. It will further contribute to the AI factories initiative of the EU.

Finally, through research programmes such as Horizon Europe, EUMETSAT will support innovation based on its new generation of weather satellites, including advances in cloud computing and artificial intelligence.

EUMETSAT also supports initiatives from the European Commission to empower countries in Africa, as well as in the Western Balkans, Eastern European and Caucasus regions to access satellite data for their development.