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 monitoring the air, seas and land; providing the basis for accurate weather reports; and supplying national and international relief agencies with data when disasters strike.

Earth Observation at ESRIN

ESRIN, known as the ESA Centre 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 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.