EO·Atlas
European Commission (DG DEFIS)
European Commission (DG DEFIS) is the EU institution responsible for implementing the EU Space Programme, including Copernicus for Earth observation and Galileo/EGNOS for navigation.[1][2] In Copernicus, the Commission is the programme owner and funder, holds the Copernicus brand and Sentinel satellite data on behalf of member states, and delegates space-segment implementation to ESA and EUMETSAT.[1][3]
The Commission does not build or operate satellites directly; satellite infrastructure is handled under delegation arrangements with ESA, EUMETSAT, and member-state actors.[3] Its 2021-2027 Copernicus budget is approximately EUR 5.8 billion, and DG DEFIS also covers the European Defence Fund, GOVSATCOM, Space Surveillance and Tracking, and space and defence industry policy.[1][2]
- [1]Regulation (EU) 2021/696 - Union Space Programmelegal text2026-06-20Legal basis for Copernicus and EUSPA; establishes governance including EC programme-ownership role
- [2]DG DEFIS - European Commission department pageagency doc2026-06-20Confirms DG DEFIS mandate for space and defence industry; Commissioner Kubilius, DG Pesonen
- [3]Copernicus FAQ - official programme portalagency doc2026-06-20Confirms ESA/EUMETSAT as entrusted space-segment operators; EC programme ownership structure