What problems can you solve using Sentinel and Copernicus satellite data?
- What Sentinel data do you need for a specific spatial or societal issue?
- How do you find and select suitable satellite data and Copernicus products for a specific area and time period?
- When do you use Sentinel-1 radar data, Sentinel-2 optical data, or Sentinel-3 data for land, water, and climate?
- How do you combine different Sentinel datasets and Copernicus products to study developments on land and water?
- How do you translate Copernicus data into actionable spatial information for nature, water management, climate, agriculture, and spatial development?
During this Blended Learning course, you’ll learn how to use the European Copernicus program as a source of up-to-date Earth observation information. You’ll be introduced to the various Sentinel missions, the Copernicus Data Space Ecosystem, and the key Copernicus services. You’ll learn how to determine, based on a practical problem, which satellite data or information products you need, where to find them, and how to process, combine, analyze, and interpret the data in QGIS.
The Copernicus Program and the Sentinel Missions
Copernicus is the European Union’s Earth observation program and serves as a key infrastructure for systematically observing and monitoring our planet. The program combines satellite observations with other data sources and provides information on topics such as land, water, the atmosphere, climate, security, and emergencies.
You’ll learn how the Copernicus program is structured and what role the Sentinel satellites play in it. You’ll also become familiar with the different types of sensors, satellite orbits, repeat cycles, resolutions, and data products.
Above all, you’ll learn that the Sentinel missions complement one another. Some sensors observe the Earth’s surface using radar, while others measure reflected sunlight or the properties of land, water, and the atmosphere. This allows you to determine, based on the specific problem at hand, which Sentinel mission provides the most suitable information.
Working with Sentinel-1, Sentinel-2, and Sentinel-3
As part of the Blended Learning program, you’ll focus extensively on three key Sentinel missions, each of which enables a different type of Earth observation.
Among other things, you’ll be introduced to:
- Sentinel-1 for radar observations using Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR). This can be used to study, among other things, floods, soil moisture, changes to the Earth’s surface, and land and water surfaces. Radar can also observe both during the day and at night and is much less affected by cloud cover than optical satellite sensors.
- Sentinel-2 for multispectral optical Earth observation. The various spectral bands are used for applications such as vegetation analysis, agriculture, water, soil, nature conservation, and land cover.
- Sentinel-3 for large-scale monitoring of land and oceans. Among other things, the mission provides information on temperature, ocean color, vegetation, and the properties of land and sea surfaces.
You will learn to recognize the key differences between these missions and determine which satellite data is suitable for a specific problem. In doing so, you will consider not only the type of sensor but also spatial resolution, temporal resolution, area coverage, and available data products.
Finding Data in the Copernicus Data Space Ecosystem
An important part of working professionally with satellite data is knowing where the data comes from and how to find the right dataset. That’s why you’ll learn to work with the Copernicus Data Space Ecosystem, a central environment for accessing Sentinel data and other Copernicus datasets.
You’ll learn to search for satellite data based on location, time period, satellite mission, product type, and other relevant characteristics. You’ll assess which products are suitable for your specific problem and learn to take into account factors such as cloud cover, resolution, processing level, and acquisition date.
In addition, you’ll be introduced to ways to view and process satellite data online before downloading large datasets. This will help you efficiently manage the vast amounts of Earth observation data available within Copernicus.
From Satellite Data to Copernicus Information Products
Copernicus consists of more than just satellite images. Within the program, large amounts of Earth observation data are processed into information products that can be used directly to address societal and spatial issues.
You will therefore be introduced to the most important Copernicus services:
- Copernicus Land Monitoring Service for information on land cover, land use, vegetation, and changes in the landscape.
- Copernicus Marine Service for information on oceans and seas, including temperature, currents, sea level, and water quality.
- Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service for information on air quality, atmospheric composition, and related processes.
- Copernicus Climate Change Service for climate data, climate indicators, and information on changes in the climate system.
- Copernicus Emergency Management Service for information and maps related to, among other things, floods, wildfires, earthquakes, and other emergencies.
- Copernicus Security Service for Earth observation information to support various European security issues.
You’ll learn to understand the difference between raw satellite observations and derived information products. This will enable you to determine when you need to perform your own analysis using Sentinel data and when an existing Copernicus product already contains the necessary information.
Analyzing Sentinel and Copernicus Data in QGIS
After covering the theoretical basics, you’ll get hands-on experience working with Sentinel and Copernicus data in QGIS. You’ll learn how to load, visualize, combine, and analyze different types of satellite data and derived information products.
With Sentinel-2, for example, you’ll work with different spectral bands and derived raster products. You’ll explore how land, vegetation, and water are visible in satellite images. With Sentinel-1, you’ll become familiar with the characteristics of radar data and how this information differs from optical observations. Using Sentinel-3 and Copernicus products, you’ll explore how large-scale Earth observation data can be used to address land, water, and climate issues.
You’ll also combine satellite data with other geoinformation in QGIS. This will teach you to use Copernicus data not as isolated satellite images, but as a source of information within a broader spatial analysis.
Combining Different Sentinel Missions
A key advantage of the Copernicus program is that different Sentinel missions can complement one another. That’s why you’ll learn not only to use individual datasets but also to determine when combining different types of Earth observation data provides added value.
For example, you’ll explore how Sentinel-1 radar data and Sentinel-2 optical data can be used together when analyzing a flood. Optical images provide information about the visible Earth’s surface, while radar can still provide observations even when it’s cloudy.
You’ll also learn to assess when Sentinel-3 or existing Copernicus information products are a better source than conducting your own analysis with detailed Sentinel-2 images. In this way, you’ll develop a broader perspective on Earth observation, where the issue at hand—rather than the satellite—determines which data to use.
From Copernicus Data to Spatial Information
During the Blended Learning program, you’ll work with realistic real-world examples and actual Sentinel and Copernicus data. You’ll step into the role of a remote sensing specialist and tackle real-world challenges faced by government agencies, water authorities, environmental organizations, agricultural organizations, security agencies, and consulting firms.
You’ll start with the problem and then determine which Sentinel mission, Copernicus service, or combination of datasets can provide the necessary information. You’ll search for and select the data, analyze it in QGIS, and translate the results into usable spatial information.
Your work will include assignments such as:
- A water management authority wants to quickly determine which areas have been flooded following prolonged rainfall. Investigate which Sentinel data is suitable and how radar and optical observations can complement each other.
- A nature conservation agency wants to track changes in vegetation and land cover. Select suitable Sentinel-2 data and compare it with available products from the Copernicus Land Monitoring Service.
- A municipality wants up-to-date information on land cover and changes in urban areas. Investigate which Sentinel data and existing Copernicus products are available for this purpose.
- An organization wants to investigate trends in surface water and water temperature. Determine which Sentinel mission and Copernicus service provide the most suitable information for this purpose.
- A safety organization needs rapid access to up-to-date geographic information during a wildfire or flood. Investigate which products from the Copernicus Emergency Management Service are available and how they can be used in QGIS.
- A consulting firm wants to investigate a climate or environmental issue. Combine appropriate Sentinel data, Copernicus information products, and other geoinformation, and explain why these sources are suitable for the issue in question.
Upon completion, you will have the knowledge and practical skills to work independently within the Copernicus ecosystem. You will understand the key characteristics and applications of Sentinel-1, Sentinel-2, and Sentinel-3; be able to find and select appropriate satellite data and Copernicus products; and be able to process, combine, and analyze them in QGIS. This will enable you to determine, based on a spatial issue, which components of Copernicus provide the most useful information for nature conservation, agriculture, water management, climate, the environment, security, and spatial development.
