The overall system architecture for the Copernicus Space Component (CSC) and its evolution have been defined on the basis of user requirements coordinated by the European Commission. The Long-Term Scenario (LTS) describes the main elements of this architecture and is maintained and evolved in an iterative process in close interaction with the European Commission (COM), EUMETSAT and EU Member States and Copernicus Participating States. 

ESA needs to guarantee the continuity of the on-going operations with the maximum level of performances for the flying Copernicus Sentinels while facing the technical and financial challenges to adapt to the evolutions of the CSC architecture. 

The CSC Ground Segment (GS) is based on a service-based architecture and a clear set of operations management principles (management and architectural) hereafter referred as the ESA Earth Observation Framework (EOF).

The EOF encompasses all the activities necessary to successfully deliver the expected level of CSC operations entrusted to ESA (i.e. establishment and maintenance of the new baseline, procurement actions, operations management, reporting, etc.).

The EOF-CSC is documented throughout a complete package describing and specifying the applicable operational concepts as well as the architecture and procurement approach adopted for establishing and evolving the CSC operations baseline (in particular with respects to the future Expansion Missions, associated with the necessary cost information to size the proposed approach and potential trade-offs). 

The EOF-CSC implementation is based on a service architecture with well-identified components that exchange data through Internet respecting defined interfaces. A service presents a simple interface to its consumer that abstracts away the underlying complexity.  Combined with deployments on public cloud infrastructure, the service approach shall offer large adaptability to evolution of the operational scenarios in particular for what regards scalability.

Since the transformation process which started in 2019, the operational CSC Mission and Data management activities have been transferred to cloud based environments (in anticipation of the enlargement of the Copernicus Sentinel missions and in response to the ever-increasing demand for Copernicus data) and the service-oriented approach has been strengthened to enhance competitiveness, prevent industrial and technical lock-in and introduce the necessary operational flexibility and transparency to allow the adaptation of the Copernicus Space Component operational activities managed by ESA to future challenges.
 
Within this context, this document contains the specifications of the EOF for the CSC operational activities entrusted to ESA by the European Commission. The specifications establish the traceability with the current baseline of requirements issued by the European Commission. This document is planned to undergo regular revisions in accordance with possible evolutions of the LTS scenario and the Copernicus Contribution Agreement. 

This document describes the Environmental Sustainability activities to be undertaken and the deliverables required by the European Space Agency (“ESA” or the “Agency”) in relation to the delivery of the Service.

There is a need to understand, measure and reduce the environmental footprint of ESA’s activities. ESA’s Agenda 2025 sets the objectives of reducing the Agency’s greenhouse gases emissions by 28% by 2030 for downstream activities (Scope 3) compared to 2019.

This also supports the goal to reach European climate neutrality by 2050, by cooperating on activities contributing to this target, such as assessing the footprint of the activities implemented in the Service, avoiding and reducing emissions of greenhouse gas, switching to green electricity, implementing best environmental practices, promoting environmentally friendly technologies and supporting innovation. The European Climate Law writes into law the goal set out in the European Green Deal for Europe’s economy and society to achieve climate-neutrality by 2050. The law also sets the intermediate target of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. 

The European Commission applies a policy of continuous improvement of its environmental impacts through EMAS (Environmental Management and Audit Scheme). 

The overall system architecture for the Copernicus Space Component (CSC) and its evolution have been defined on the basis of user requirements coordinated by the European Commission. The Long-Term Scenario (LTS) describes the main elements of this architecture and is maintained and evolved in an iterative process in close interaction with the European Commission (COM), EUMETSAT and Copernicus Participating States. 

ESA needs to guarantee the continuity of the on-going operations with the maximum level of performances for the flying Copernicus Sentinels while facing the technical and financial challenges to adapt to the evolutions of the CSC architecture. 

The CSC Ground Segment (GS) is based on a service-based architecture and a clear set of operations management principles (management and architectural) hereafter referred as the ESA Earth Observation Framework (EOF).

The EOF encompasses all the activities necessary to successfully deliver the expected level of CSC operations entrusted to ESA (i.e. establishment and maintenance of the new baseline, procurement actions, operations management, reporting, etc.).

The EOF-CSC is documented throughout a complete package describing and specifying the applicable operational concepts as well as the architecture and procurement evolutions to be adopted for establishing the future CSC operations baseline (in particular with respects to the future Expansion Missions, associated with the necessary cost information to size the proposed approach and potential trade-offs). 

The EOF-CSC implementation is based on service architecture with well-identified components that exchange data through Internet respecting defined interfaces. A service presents a simple interface to its consumer that abstracts away the underlying complexity.  Combined with deployments on public cloud infrastructure, the service approach shall offer large adaptability to evolution of the operational scenarios in particular for what regards scalability.

Since the transformation process which started in 2019, the operational CSC Mission and Data management activities have been transferred to cloud based environments (in anticipation of the enlargement of the Copernicus Sentinel missions and in response to the ever-increasing demand for Copernicus data) and the service-oriented approach for each component of the CSC operations has been strengthened to enhance competitiveness, prevent industrial and technical lock-in and introduce the necessary operational flexibility and transparency to allow the adaptation of the Copernicus Space Component activities managed by ESA to future challenges.

Within this context, this document outlines the EOF-CSC Architecture as targeted and as implemented following the Ground Segment transformation phase during the period 2019-2022. This transformed architecture is referred as EOF Copernicus Space Component Architecture in this document or simply as EOF-CSC Architecture. 

This Architecture is a representation of the overall CSC operations in terms of functional decomposition and operational data flows views. The high level architecture corresponds to the first layer of implementation and supports the implementation and the execution of all the activities related to the corresponding operational services and related procurements. The architecture reflects the fundamental principles supporting all aspects of the system, making it robust, scalable, efficient in cost and sustainable for the next 10 years without relying on unknown technological progress whilst being sufficiently flexible to benefit from any relevant future evolutions.

The Sentinel-3 Sea and Land Surface Temperature Radiometer (S3 SLSTR) documentation describes the software and processing framework used to generate Sentinel-3 SLSTR products within the Earth Observation Processing Framework (EOPF). It covers the processing of thermal and optical measurements into Level-1 and Level-2 products, supporting applications such as land and sea surface temperature retrieval and fire detection.
The document outlines the architecture and configuration of the SLSTR processing chain, including the handling of auxiliary data, calibration processes and product structures defined according to EOPF standards. It explains how the processing workflows are organised to ensure consistent, traceable and reproducible generation of geophysical products. Overall, the documentation serves as a mission-specific reference that integrates Sentinel-3 SLSTR processing into the wider EOPF ecosystem, promoting harmonisation and long-term sustainability of thermal Earth Observation data processing.

The Sentinel-3 Ocean and Land Colour Instrument (S3 OLCI) documentation provides an overview of the software and processing chain used to generate Sentinel-3 OLCI products within the Earth Observation Processing Framework (EOPF). It describes how data acquired by the Ocean and Land Colour Instrument are processed into Level-1 and Level-2 products supporting ocean colour, land surface and environmental monitoring applications.
The document presents the architecture and configuration of the S3 OLCI processor, detailing product structures, auxiliary data usage and processing workflows in accordance with EOPF standards. It explains how legacy mission concepts are integrated into a modern, harmonised processing framework, enabling consistent, traceable and reproducible product generation. Overall, the documentation serves as a mission-specific reference that aligns Sentinel-3 OLCI processing with the wider EOPF ecosystem and supports a sustainable approach to multi-mission Earth Observation data processing.

The Sentinel-2 Multi-Spectral Instrument (S2 MSI) documentation provides an overview of the software and processing framework used for the generation of Sentinel-2 products within the Earth Observation Processing Framework (EOPF). It describes the structure, configuration and behaviour of the Sentinel-2 MSI processing chain, covering the transformation of raw satellite data into higher-level land and surface reflectance products.
The document presents the main architectural principles of the S2 MSI processor and details how product formats, auxiliary data and configuration elements are organised in line with EOPF standards. It explains how the processing chain supports multiple product levels and resolutions, while ensuring consistency, traceability and reproducibility across processing baselines. Overall, the documentation serves as a mission-specific reference that aligns Sentinel-2 MSI processing with the broader EOPF ecosystem, supporting a harmonised and maintainable approach to optical Earth Observation data processing.

The Sentinel-1 Level-1 / Level-2 Reprocessing (S1 L12 RP) documentation provides a comprehensive overview of the data reprocessing framework for Sentinel-1 products within the Copernicus programme and the Earth Observation Processing Framework (EOPF). It describes the objectives, scope and structure of the reprocessing activities that support the generation of consistent and up-to-date Level-1, Level-2 and Analysis Ready Data (ARD) products.
The document brings together information on processing baselines, auxiliary data files, product formats and intermediate datasets required for Sentinel-1 reprocessing, with particular attention to alignment with EOPF conventions and Python-based processing architectures. It explains how legacy processing elements are adapted and harmonised to ensure reproducibility, traceability and long-term maintainability of the products. Overall, the documentation serves as a mission-specific reference that connects Sentinel-1 reprocessing activities to the broader EOPF ecosystem, supporting a standardised and future-proof approach to Earth Observation data processing.

The Auxiliary Data Files (ADF) documentation describes the strategy, structure and format of the auxiliary data required for the generation of Copernicus Earth Observation products within the Earth Observation Processing Framework (EOPF). Auxiliary Data Files include a wide range of static and dynamic information-such as geophysical constants, climatological data, orbit and attitude information, and meteorological inputs-that are essential to correctly process Level-0, Level-1 and Level-2 Sentinel data.
The document explains how the EOPF defines a common and harmonised approach to managing auxiliary data across different missions and processing chains, with the aim of improving consistency, reusability and traceability. It outlines conventions for naming, formatting and accessing ADFs, as well as strategies for sharing common auxiliary datasets among missions. By providing clear guidelines on how auxiliary data is structured, selected and maintained, the documentation supports modular, flexible and on-demand processing while complementing the Core Python Modules and the broader EOPF software ecosystem.