What is Earth Observation?
Earth Observation (EO) is the process of gathering information about the Earth’s surface, waters and atmosphere via ground-based, airborne and/or satellite remote sensing platforms.
The acquired data are processed and analysed to extract different types of information that can be used to monitor and assess the status of – and changes in – both the natural and human-made environments.
EO data serves a very wide range of applications and industries, including: environmental protection, energy, managing urban areas, regional and local planning, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, health, transport, climate change, sustainable development, civil protection, tourism, and more.
Europe’s EO programme is called Copernicus. Using a combination of satellites, in-situ sensors and air- and sea-borne sensors, Copernicus looks at our planet and its environment and provides data and information that benefits all European citizens.