Elevating Earth Observation: A Bright Future with Copernicus Contributing Missions

The European Union's Earth Observation Flagship Programme Copernicus has opened the doors to innovation, collaboration, and sustainability. Through its Contributing Missions (CCM), not only is data being collected for wide and critical usage, the programme is issuing a new era of insights[1] and assessing the possibility of building and progressing a new, hybrid European satellite capability e.g., combining Sentinels and CCM assets.

The six thematic Copernicus Services deliver top-notch data related to climate change, air quality, land, marine ecosystems, emergency response, and security. This information is made available freely and openly, utilizing Full Free and Open Sentinel data. Additionally, the Copernicus Contributing Missions network enriches these resources with a diverse range of licensed data to complement these resources. This effort is orchestrated by the European Space Agency (ESA) on behalf of the European Commission and shapes a landscape of comprehensive Earth observations that caters to diverse needs.

Demonstrating the benefits of building such a capability, we shine some spotlight on three New Space companies from Spain, Belgium, and Germany who have, out of the nine companies selected in the programme, made significant progress since their appointment. A progress which showcases the potential and innovation within the New Space industry and highlights the value of investing in these companies to drive technological advancements and economic growth in their respective countries.

A New Dawn with SATLANTIS:

One standout star in this constellation of progress is SATLANTIS. The company’s groundbreaking satellite, GEISAT Precursor, embarked on its journey to space just three days after signing the CCM agreement. This mission is equipped with the remarkable ability to monitor methane emissions with astounding precision. Armed with Very Near Infrared (VNIR) images boasting a resolution of 2 meters and of 13 meters in Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR) capabilities, GEISAT Precursor joins the Copernicus family as a formidable ally. But SATLANTIS is not stopping there. With three additional satellites on the horizon, their commitment to sustainability and collaboration shines brightly.

Juan Tomas Hernani, CEO of SATLANTIS, shares: “the transformative power of being recognized as a Copernicus Contributing Mission, acted as an accelerator, securing investments, enhancing credibility, and playing a pivotal role in successfully closing a funding round worth 26 million euros two years ago“. The recent contract announcement further solidifies SATLANTIS' reliability and strengthens the trust placed in the company by stakeholders.

Aerospacelab's Ascent:

Aerospacelab, another emerging player of the CCM program, anticipates a boost in revenue and a strengthened market position within months of the contract signature. This partnership allows them to fulfil their ambitions of becoming a leading player in the industry. Endorsed by the European Commission, this agreement is a testament to Aerospacelab's progress in servicing demanding institutional applications. It serves as a robust signal of trust from the public sector to commercial users, expected to bolster their standing in the commercial realm. This amplification extends to both upstream and downstream aspects, spanning satellites and satellite data.

Benoit Deper, CEO of Aerospacelab, emphasizes: “having the opportunity to join global players as data supplier of the Copernicus program is a game-changer! Throughout the Copernicus Contributing Missions, Aerospacelab is able to supply multispectral data generated by its own first multispectral satellite that was launched on November 11th, 2023. This contractual agreement, which further showcases the diversity of applications in multispectral imagery, constitutes a strong expression of the expertise we have developed over our first five years. It's a great step where large institutions recognize the importance of bringing NewSpace companies to the forefront.”

Their involvement in the program showcases the diversity of applications in multispectral imagery, proving their expertise on the international stage.

constellr's Stellar Growth:

Within six months of securing the CCM contract, constellr harnessed the power of the EC/ESA agreement to unlock venture financing. This leveraged funding followed an impressive ratio, attracting four euros of investment for every one euro of contract value. This pattern is set to multiply in the future, highlighting how anchor customer contracts serve as catalysts for investments in Europe's deep tech and space sectors.

“Being selected as a Copernicus Contributing Mission has been a big stamp of approval for us: On the one side, being recognized as a partner by ESA and the EC via an anchor customer contract instils trust on the customer side, while at the same time increases cashflow stability, which is an important metric for private investment. As a company, we are proud to be able to contribute to the Copernicus Programme and will do our utmost to increase its positive impact on Europe and the rest of the world.”, comments Dr. Max Gulde, CEO of constellr.

With amplified funding at play, constellr rapidly expanded from its starting point pre-programme of 50 employees to a workforce of 80 within just six months. This surge in growth paved the way for the creation of over 30 direct high-tech positions across Europe. Indirectly, the combined impact of the contract's value and the leveraged funding is projected to generate around 250 job-years of employment, firmly underlining how anchor customer contracts foster the creation of high-tech job opportunities.

A Bright Future:

While the numbers are impressive, it's not solely about statistics. A qualitative transformation is evident in heightened commercial engagement with customers. The endorsement of the EC and ESA serves as a ‘quality stamp’ for emerging players, fueling expectations of significantly improved conversion rates. These anchor customer contracts are more than agreements; they signify a vote of confidence that triggers a cascade of commercial contracts, ultimately accelerating the development of the European economy, and, more specifically, the European space ecosystem in its entirety.

In conclusion, the Copernicus program and its Contributing Missions are ushering in a new era of insight and progress. SATLANTIS, Aerospacelab, and constellr are leading the way, demonstrating the transformative power of collaboration, innovation, and sustainability. A brief gaze into the cosmic horizon brings anticipation of further achievements and a future filled with promise for Earth and its inhabitants.

[1] The 9 European Emerging Copernicus Contributing Missions cover different commercial EO data domains: Hyperspectral, Thermal infrared, Atmospheric composition and Multispectral which are emerging commercial data domains so far not yet used in the Copernicus Contributing Missions’ activity.