Copernicus program
Copernicus is a European Earth observation program coordinated and managed by the European Commission. The program consists of:
- remote sensing satellites (Sentinel missions),
- in-situ sensors (ground stations, airborne and waterborne measuring stations), and
- services (core services) focusing on environmental and security issues.
The European Space Agency (ESA) and EUMETSAT are responsible for the space component of the Copernicus program, with the Sentinel missions and related activities divided between them.
The Sentinel data collected under the Copernicus program, as well as the core service data, are available free of charge (although there are restrictions on some core services), with the aim of promoting the use of remote sensing data in a wide range of sectors. However, each country is responsible for ensuring that its national authorities and companies can use this data more conveniently and effectively.
Copernicus program distribution:
Space components of the Copernicus program:
Core services of the Copernicus program:
ESTHub - Estonian National Satellite Data Center
To make better use of the data, a national satellite data center called ESTHub has been created. ESTHub stores data from Sentinel missions covering Estonian territory and other areas of interest. This provides support to institutions and companies that wish to use Sentinel data in their work.
When using the data, the rules for referencing must be observed. In addition to making data available, ESTHub also has data processing capabilities. This means that users can perform data processing that suits their needs on the ESTHub server, where the Sentinel data is also located. This means that users do not have to invest in the hardware needed to store and process data. This approach allows the development of remote sensing data-based services even if the necessary hardware is not available.
The Sentinel mission data shared through ESTHub is available to all users free of charge, but the data processing environment is currently intended for use only by government agencies and companies that develop services for government agencies. Funding for the development of ESTHub has been received from the European Union Structural Fund in the amount of €430,000.
Sentinel satellite missions
Sentinel-1
Sentinel-1 is a C-band radar observation mission, whose full constellation consists of two satellites. Radar observation makes it possible to take measurements both during the day and at night, regardless of weather conditions.
Sentinel-2
Sentinel-2 is a multispectral optical observation mission. The full constellation consists of two satellites. Sentinel-2 satellites have 13 spectral channels: 4 channels with 10-meter spatial resolution, 6 channels with 20-meter spatial resolution, and 3 channels with 60-meter spatial resolution.
Sentinel-3
Sentinel-3 is a multi-instrument mission designed to measure sea surface topography, sea and land surface temperature, and the color of oceans and land. Sentinel-3A was launched into orbit in 2016 and Sentinel-3B in 2018.
Sentinel-5P
Sentinel-5P is a mission designed to fill the gap between the Sentinel-5 and Envisat missions. The satellite was launched into orbit in 2017.
Sentinel-4 and Sentinel-5
Sentinel-4 and Sentinel-5 are atmospheric monitoring missions.
Sentinel-6
Sentinel-6 is a high-precision altimetry mission designed to measure heights in order to support oceanography and climate research. Sentinel-6 was launched into orbit in 2020.
Related links
Last updated: 07.11.2025
