About Earth Observation
Data from Earth Observation satellites are one of the most important assets brought to us by the space age. By helping us to understand our planet and secure our environment they benefit our daily lives in many ways. The future looks even more promising as new ways of using these invaluable data are discovered.
The objective and continuous views of our planet, supplied by satellite images and data, provide scientists and decision makers with the information they need to understand and protect our environment.
Among their many applications are:
Earth Observation at ESRIN
ESRIN, known as the ESA Centre of Excellence for Earth Observation, is the ESA establishment responsible for managing the operation and exploitation of ESA's Earth Observation satellites.
In cooperation with other space agencies, it also manages the acquisition, distribution and exploitation of data from non-ESA satellites.
The world's largest database of environmental data for both Europe and Africa is managed from ESRIN.
In carrying out this work, ESA's Earth Observation Directorate works closely with national space agencies, both in ESA Member States and worldwide, as well as with coordination and standardisation bodies. It also cooperates with many small-and medium-sized enterprises, and with the service industry.
Data from the many instruments, on board ESA satellites and from more than 20 non-ESA Earth Observation satellites, are sent to a network of worldwide acquisition stations, processed in these stations or at archiving centres, and then distributed to a worldwide user community that includes several thousand scientists, value adding companies or application centres.
Instrument performance and product quality are permanently checked and new products developed in response to evolving user demand. Responsibility, for ensuring this is done quickly and efficiently, lies with those working in Earth Observation at ESRIN.
ESRIN endeavours to maximise the beneficial use of Earth Observation data. This objective is achieved by fostering the use of this valuable information by as many people as possible, in as many ways as possible.
Monitoring the growth of cities, mapping the habitats of endangered species, tracking ground subsidence, assisting the management of scarce water resources, detecting oil slicks, guiding ships through ice and rough seas, and helping aid workers in Africa are just some of the many ways in which Earth Observation data are being used.
Amongst the users we can find the United Nations agencies, the European Commission, non-governmental organisations, national and local authorities, universities and industry.