Press Release: EU enhances commercial access to Earth observation data

The European Commission presented a proposal allowing businesses and research institutions more reliable access to commercial earth observation satellite data on the 17 June 2014. It aims to ensure better access to high resolution earth observation satellite data (HRSD) in particular, which, together with HRSD-based applications, are an essential tool for environment monitoring, urban planning, agriculture, natural resources management and disaster and emergency management, as well as for security and defence.

Currently, the production and dissemination of HRSD by commercial operators is regulated by the countries in which they are registered. As HRSD regulations differ per country and lack of transparency and predictability, the HRSD value chain and customer businesses encounter difficulties.

ESO: Background information: Copernicus: The EU Earth Observation Programme - good for jobs and the environment http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-copernicus-the-eu-earth-observation-programme-good-for-jobs-and-the-environment/

European Commission: DG Enterprise and Industry: Space: European Space Policy: Jobs and growth: Space industrial policy http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/space/policy/jobs-growth/industrial-policy/index_en.htm

European Commission: DG Enterprise and Industry: Space: Copernicus http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/space/copernicus/index_en.htm

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