Division 2.1 General

The Copernicus Space Component (CSC) shall ensure an autonomous capacity of space borne observations to meet the objectives of the Copernicus programme, serving primarily the Copernicus Service Component. The Space Component shall consist of a Space Segment of Satellite missions and a Ground Segment to support these missions.

The Space Segment shall comprise two types of satellite missions, namely:

1. (1)

   Dedicated Satellite Missions, called the Sentinels, organised into six different ‘families’, which are: Sentinel-1, -2 and -3 (each 4 units, Full Operation Capacity consisting of 2 units flying simultaneously, replaced by 2 units to ensure continuity of observations), Sentinel- 4 (2 units), Sentinel-5 (3 units), and Sentinel-6 (2 units). Additionally Jason-3 and Sentinel-5p are developed by third parties but operated by Copernicus;

2. (2)

   Third Party Missions, consisting of Earth Observation satellites of European, national or commercial organisations, i.e. the Copernicus Contributing Missions (CCM).

The Ground Segment shall operate the Sentinel missions, receive data from the satellites, process, archive and distribute them to the Copernicus services and user communities, and generate a coordinated data stream to satisfy Copernicus data needs.

The Copernicus Space Component shall include the following activities:

1. (a)

   provision of space-borne observations from the dedicated missions. This includes the completion, maintenance, operation, validation and calibration of the Sentinels and related ground segment and data products and the protection of necessary frequency spectra;

2. (b)

   provision, archiving and dissemination of Contributing Mission data;

3. (c)

   preparatory activities related to the evolution of the Space Component in response to evolving needs, including the specification of new dedicated missions;

4. (d)

   protection of satellites against the risk of collision;

5. (e)

   safe decommissioning of the satellites at the end of life.