Watch (Opens in a new window) Shop (Opens in a new window)
(Opens in a new window) (Opens in a new window)
[ Copernicus ]
[ Earth Observation Programmes ]

Copernicus Sentinel Expansion missions

Copernicus Sentinel Expansion missions
01 MAR. 2019 publication date 101617 Views

The current suite of Sentinel missions are at the heart of Copernicus.

Data from the Copernicus Sentinels, which are developed by ESA, feed into the Copernicus Services, which help address challenges such as urbanisation, food security, rising sea levels, diminishing polar ice, natural disasters and, of course, climate change.

Looking to the future, six Sentinel Expansion missions are being developed to address EU policy and gaps in Copernicus user needs, and to expand the current capabilities of the Copernicus Space Component.

Copernicus Sentinel Expansion Missions
CHIME
CHIME

CHIME: Copernicus Hyperspectral Imaging Mission for the Environment

Carrying a unique spectrometer, the Copernicus Hyperspectral Imaging Mission for the Environment, CHIME, delivers systematic high-resolution hyperspectral images to improve agricultural practices and natural resources management. This new Copernicus mission is used to monitor the biophysical and biochemical properties of crops, and the texture and organic content of topsoil. CHIME can also be used for forest management, and to monitor inland water bodies and coastal ecosystems. In addition, CHIME can detect the presence and quantity of various minerals on Earth’s surface.
Copernicus Imaging Microwave Radiometer mission
Copernicus Imaging Microwave Radiometer mission

CIMR: Copernicus Imaging Microwave Radiometer

The Copernicus Imaging Microwave Radiometer, CIMR, mission carries a wide-swath conically-scanning multi-frequency microwave radiometer to provide observations of sea-surface temperature, sea-ice concentration and sea-surface salinity. Uniquely, it also observes a wide range of other sea-ice parameters. CIMR puts the Arctic into a global context to support solutions for this fragile polar region and to combat the effects of climate change worldwide.
Copernicus Carbon Dioxide Monitoring mission
Copernicus Carbon Dioxide Monitoring mission

CO2M: Copernicus Anthropogenic Carbon Dioxide Monitoring

The Copernicus Carbon Dioxide Monitoring, CO2M, mission’s main instrument is a spectrometer to measure atmospheric carbon dioxide and methane, focusing on emissions from human activity. These measurements will enhance transparency and help estimate emissions at local, national and regional scales. The mission will provide the EU with a unique and independent source of information to assess the effectiveness of policy measures towards decarbonising Europe and meeting the emission reduction targets laid out in the Paris Agreement.
CRISTAL
CRISTAL

CRISTAL: Copernicus Polar Ice and Snow Topography Altimeter

Carrying a dual-frequency radar altimeter and a microwave radiometer, the Copernicus Polar Ice and Snow Topography Altimeter, CRISTAL, mission, monitors sea-ice thickness and the depth of the overlying snow. It also measures changes in the height of ice sheets and glaciers around the world. Since ice in its various forms is particularly sensitive to climate change, data from this mission are crucial for understanding and quantifying climate processes. The mission also supports maritime operations and safety in the changing polar seas, oceanography and sea-level studies, and the monitoring of rivers and lakes worldwide.
LSTM
LSTM

LSTM: Copernicus Land Surface Temperature Monitoring

The Copernicus Land Surface Temperature Monitoring, LSTM, mission carries a high-resolution thermal-infrared sensor to provide observations of land-surface temperature and emissivity. The mission responds to the need to improve sustainable agricultural productivity. The mission’s land-surface temperature measurements and information on evapotranspiration are key to understanding and adapting to climate variability. Data from the mission will be used to manage water resources for agricultural production, predict droughts, manage coastal and inland water bodies and to address issues such as urban heat islands and heatwaves.
ROSE-L
ROSE-L

ROSE-L: Copernicus Radar Observing System for Europe at L-band

The Copernicus Radar Observing System for Europe at L-band, ROSE-L, delivers new complementary information to fill critical observation and information gaps in the current Copernicus satellite capabilities. ROSE-L greatly improves the monitoring of European geohazards and surface motion. It also supports enhanced mapping for forest management, provides key information for agriculture and food security, and improves maritime surveillance. In addition, ROSE-L contributes to the monitoring of the Arctic by providing new information on sea ice, icebergs, glaciers and ice caps.

Back to Copernicus homepage

Related articles

[ Copernicus ]
CO2M spectrometers in the cleanroom
17 JUN. 2026

Carbon dioxide monitoring satellite’s instrument passes vacuum test

Europe’s pioneering Copernicus Anthropogenic Carbon Dioxide Monitoring mission has cleared a significant development milestone, marking further progress towards a new era of greenhouse gas monitoring from space.
Read article
[ FutureEO ]
Not your normal commute
24 APR. 2026

Braving the Arctic for upcoming polar-focused satellites

As sea ice continues to succumb to the climate crisis, measuring its decline with precision has never been more urgent. To meet this challenge, the European Space Agency is developing three new Copernicus satellites, each employing distinct but complementary techniques to monitor this fragile component of the Earth system.To ensure the data from these new satellites are razor-sharp, an international team of hardy scientists is now out on the Arctic sea ice braving the cold and flying above to collect critical in situ measurements.
Read article
[ Copernicus ]
ROSE-L radar wing deployment test
08 APR. 2026

ROSE-L radar unfolds in crucial ground test

An important milestone has been reached in developing the upcoming Copernicus Radar Observing System for Europe in L-band satellite, known as ROSE-L. Engineers have tested the deployment of a structural model of its huge radar antenna – a key step towards preparing this new satellite for launch and its mission to monitor Earth’s land, oceans and ice from orbit.
Read article
[ Copernicus ]
Land-surface temperature in Nevada and California
ARCHIVE CONTENT: 27 JUN. 2025

Space agencies work together to improve land-surface temperature monitoring

As the demand for interoperable data increases, space agencies are collaborating to ensure that similar types of data from comparable satellite sensors can be used together to maximise their scientific value. Today, at the Living Planet Symposium, one of the focal points was thermal imaging, which is critical for monitoring land-surface temperature.
Read article

Related links

[ Directorates ]
Europe from space

Earth Observation Programmes

Only space provides the perspective to understand, monitor and act on our changing world.
Explore
Documents and publications

CHIME Mission Requirements Document

Copernicus Hyperspectral Imaging Mission
Explore

stay updated

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest news, mission updates, and exclusive insights directly in your inbox. Be the first to know about our upcoming projects and breakthroughs.

Join our newsletter (Opens in a new window)

We use cookies which are essential for you to access our website and/or to provide you with our services, enable you to share our website content via your social media accounts and allow us to measure and improve the performance of our website.

See our cookie notice