Airbus has been selected by the European Space Agency (ESA) to be one of four suppliers for DIAS, the Copernicus Data and Information Access Service. DIAS will make data and information available to users through a cloud computing architecture enabling enhanced coordination and cross-fertilization at European Union (EU) level and amongst initiatives at Member State or regional level.

The four-year contract was signed in Brussels by Josef Aschbacher, ESA Director for Earth Observation and Mathilde Royer-Germain, Head of Earth Observation, Navigation and Science at Airbus.

The Copernicus Earth observation programme is designed to provide accurate, timely and easily accessible information to improve the management of the environment, understand and mitigate the effects of climate change and ensure civil security.

The programme generates vast amounts of data: in one year, the Sentinel satellites have provided the equivalent of 50 years of Envisat mission data, ESA's previous environmental satellite. To foster data dissemination and to answer a strong need for simplification, the EC and ESA have decided to offer users the capability to exploit Copernicus data and information without having to manage transfer and storage on their own computer systems.

Airbus is leading a consortium which includes Orange, Capgemini, CLS and Vito. The partners will combine their competencies to create and manage the system which will allow access to Copernicus data. Airbus is in charge of management, coordination of all technical contributors, system engineering and integration of the system. After entry into service, Airbus will continue to lead, operate and further develop DIAS in close coordination with numerous worldwide actors.