“We are glad that EUMETSAT and NOAA have joined forces to implement on a technical level the arrangements concluded several months ago by the European Commission with our counterparts in the United States. We greatly value the long standing transatlantic partnership on Earth Observation data exchange which is defined by this arrangement. This marks a new key milestone for reinforcing benefits of Copernicus for citizens on both sides of the Atlantic,” said Philippe Brunet, Director for Space Policy, Copernicus and Defence at the European Commission.
“NOAA appreciates the European Union’s continued support for Earth observation activities. The signing of this TOA reaffirms the partnership between NOAA and EUMETSAT, which is based on a full, free, and open data sharing policy. NOAA believes that Sentinel-3 marine data and products will serve as a great benefit to the global community.”
The TOA is based on the Copernicus Cooperation Arrangement on Sentinel data access and use signed between the European Commission and the United States on 16 October 2015, as well as the Delegation Agreement signed between the EC and EUMETSAT on 7 November 2014 which defines EUMETSAT’s role in implementing and coordinating technical actions with international partners on behalf of the European Commission.
Under the agreement, NOAA will be responsible for distributing the Copernicus data from EUMETSAT to NOAA and its user base, including the ocean user community, but will also extend to researchers and other users.