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The European Space Agency (ESA), T-Systems, and their partners launched new services on the Copernicus Data Space in September 2023. The move provides access to one of the largest public data spaces for anyone in the world and delivers supporting analytics and trend monitoring for governments, citizens, science, and businesses. It also enables the use of new analytics and trend monitoring services in combination with one of the largest public data spaces for Earth observation data.
The launch of the Copernicus Data Space ecosystem marks a milestone in the use of big data for a more sustainable future. The Data Space enables broad access to valuable information and more insight.
The entire project was realized together with several partners. These include CloudFerro, Sinergise, the remote sensing specialists ACRI-ST, RHEA, and VITO, and the German Aerospace Center DLR.
Since January this year, the Copernicus Data Space has been open to the public. More than 30,000 registered users demonstrate the value of the unique completeness and daily near-real-time updates of Earth observation data. While users previously had to select or combine different platforms, there is now a single Data Space combining all services. This makes it easier for all users to access data and collaborate.
Valuable insight on the planet
The new Data Space services enable users to obtain information and insight regarding the past and status of Earth. The services include a range of open-source tools, to support users from novice to expert to professional. The browser provides the entry-level with extensive visualisation functions.
Based on the Sentinel Hub Browser, it enables users to generate 2D and 3D images and time-lapse videos within seconds and use the results in GIS systems. Experts can use the renowned Jupyter Hub for more detailed and immediate data analytics. The openEO enables experts and professionals to establish large and complex analytics through a visual web editor and the use of prepared datasets, to simplify recurring tasks in organisations or for business interests.
In case, the resources made available for free by the European Commission and ESA need to be scaled up, the Data Space enables users to request on-demand cloud computing resources and access various commercial services. These services are readily available from two reputable European public cloud providers, CloudFerro and Open Telekom Cloud, facilitated through the CREODIAS.eu web portal.
The combination of open data, open-source tools, and European public clouds will enable new knowledge and better response to extreme weather conditions, climatic change, and the impact of natural disasters.
The Data Space also opens new opportunities e.g., for agriculture. Farmers can optimise yields through the targeted use of water, fertilisers, and pest control agents. In addition, the Data Space provides a solid database for distributing agricultural subsidies fairly, for example.
The Ecosystem concept allows businesses and startups to create new commercial or open applications and data products based on the Copernicus portfolio, under their own brand and publish these on the Data Space. The services are then immediately visible to the worldwide community, contributing to a competitive economy and a sustainable society.
Green infrastructure for huge data volumes
T-Systems is responsible for managing and providing the huge volumes of data. From the current 55 petabytes, the data room will grow to up to 100 petabytes over the next six years. This will represent one of the largest data spaces that T-Systems hosts in its and partner data centres worldwide to date. The data will be stored sustainably. The Telekom subsidiary will achieve this through the utilization of green infrastructure and the use of electricity sourced from renewable, eco-friendly sources.
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