- January 6, 2023
- Posted by: EARSC
- Categories: EARSC Events, EARSC News, EOcafe, Uncategorised
On Friday, 16th of December 2022, the long-awaited new Copernicus Data Access Service kicked off, taking the European Union Copernicus program to the next level and ensuring the data make the greatest possible impact on institutional users, the research community, the commercial sector as well every citizen of our planet.
“Copernicus must strive for digital excellence. We want Copernicus data to be easily accessible and usable. At the same time, we need a powerful data analytics environment to attract new users, in particular from non-space sectors. The signature of this contract today is a milestone towards achieving this.” Thierry Breton, Commissioner for Internal Market-02/12/2022
The new Copernicus Data Access Service builds on existing distribution services and DIAS-es, ensuring their continuity, but it is also much more it is bringing significant improvements:
- Easy discovery, visualization, download, and analysis of vast amounts of data will be possible.
- Users will benefit from a set of data processing tools made available to extract the information they need to conduct their public, private or commercial activities.
- Users and Service Providers may provide new downstream services using the resources and interfaces made available by this new service, hence enriching the Copernicus data space with a broader service offering.
The new service will start with an initial data Discovery, Catalogue, and Download service already from the end of January and will be fully operational in July 2023 after a progressive phase-in period corresponding to the phasing out of the current data distribution service, leaving time for users to migrate and familiarise themselves with the new service interfaces. Copernicus is also pursuing full interoperability with the Destination Earth future data infrastructures as well as with Member States’ earth observation data infrastructures.
The service will be operated by a consortium led by T-Systems International including EARSC Members CloudFerro, Sinergise, VITO, ACRI-ST, and RHEA, and complemented by the German Aerospace Center(DLR). The new service contract has a duration of six years with the possibility to extend it up to ten years. The overall value of the contract is almost €150 million. The initial size of the Copernicus data made available amounts to 34 petabytes and is expected to reach around 80 petabytes after six years.
In the first EOcafe of 2023, our host Geoff Sawyer (EARSC Strategic Advisor and former Secretary General) will discuss with our guests Jurry de la Mar (Public Sector Account Director, T-Systems International) and Maciej Krzyzanowski (CEO, CloudFerro) about new Copernicus Data Access Service. Other members of the consortium will be also available – ready to answer specific questions.
The following topics will be addressed during this EOcafe:
- How is the new service different from the current Copernicus OpenHub?
- How will the Copernicus data delivery and analysis landscape change?
- What does “immediately available data” really mean and how can this affect the way EO data is used by the community?
- How will EARSC members benefit from the new service?
- Download from OpenHub is free, and cloud services on Copernicus DIAS-es are payable. How is it going to be organized in the new Copernicus Data Access Service?
Registration: The webinar is open to ALL but priority will be given to EARSC members. Registration is free but compulsory. Please click on the following link to register.
Please note this is a virtual event!
EOcafe is part of a series of EARSC meetings that offer timely, relevant, and practical information on a broad variety of topics related to the EO sector. Join us every two weeks to discuss and network while enjoying a cup of coffee with friends.
IMPORTANT NOTES!!!
- The use of a video camera is not mandatory but is encouraged to facilitate better interaction between the attendees and the guest speaker(s).
- The EOcafe will stay open after 17:00 in case our guests want to continue the discussion.
- By registering for this event, you accept the terms and conditions (https://earsc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/EARSC_Events_GDPR.pdf).
If you have any questions, and/or you want to know more about the EOcafe, and/or you want to share an idea about a future EOcafe, please contact Natassa (natassa.antoniou@earsc.org).
