What is the Copernicus Programme?
The Copernicus program, initiated by the European Union, provides accurate and timely data on Earth’s environment. Utilizing a network of satellites and ground-based systems, it monitors climate change, land, sea, and air conditions, supporting sustainable development and enhancing public safety across Europe and globally
Iceland and Copernicus
CAMS NCP Iceland aims to enhance Iceland’s air quality monitoring and public awareness of environmental challenges like dust storms and volcanic ash. By integrating CAMS data with in-situ measurements, the project provides valuable insights into atmospheric conditions.
Launched in June 2025, Blue North is Iceland’s first project under the Copernicus Marine National Collaboration Programme (Lot 3). Lead by the University of Iceland in collaboration with the Natural Science Institute of Iceland and the Icelandic Ocean Cluster. It aims to boost marine data literacy and user engagement, supporting national implementation of EU policies.
The Natural Science Institute of Iceland is joining the Copernicus Land Monitoring Service (CLMS) National Collaboration Programme (NCP) to promote the use of CLMS data in Iceland. The project will focus on raising awareness, engaging national users, and developing Iceland-specific use cases.
The Icelandic Meterological Office participates in the National Collaboration Programme (NCP) from the Copernicus Climate Change Monitoring Service (C3S).
CORINE is a Copernicus initiative focused on land cover mapping across Europe. It provides detailed data on land use changes, crucial for environmental planning and monitoring. Iceland participates in CORINE by contributing data on its unique landscapes, aiding in tracking changes due to natural events and human activities.
FPCUP, or the Framework Partnership Agreement on Copernicus User Uptake, was an initiative funded by the European Union. It aimed to initiate more use of Copernicus data and services in Iceland and raise awareness about social and economical benefits that Iceland can get from Copernicus. The project ended in 2025.
Opportunities
Discover the ocean around Iceland! With Copernicus Marine data, you gain insight into currents, temperature, ice, and ecosystems that help us understand changes and protect the ocean’s resources.
See iceland from above, learn about the changes and discover new perspectives in the Copernicus archive.
Find the image of the day here.
Explore Copernicus services related to Iceland and discover how satellite data helps us understand and protect our environment, nature, and planet. Start your journey today!
Copernicus, powered by Sentinel satellites, provides real-time data on floods, droughts, fires, and volcanic eruptions, enabling rapid response and long-term resilience planning by delivering accurate, actionable insights during natural disasters.
Example: Holuhraun eruption 2014
Find out more how Copernicus is promoted through the FPCUP initiative. It is active in Iceland and around the globe to help users to start using Copernicus data and services.
Many opportunities are available through Copernicus to learn, develop, get support and funding for your project and ideas.
CASSINI is a European Union initiative that supports entrepreneurs, startups, and SMEs in the space industry during the period 2021-2027. It covers all areas of the EU space program and includes a €1 billion growth fund, hackathons, prizes, an accelerator, and networking opportunities.
News from Iceland
- Ísland fær sæti í stjórn Geimáætlunarstofnunar Evrópusambandsins
Ísland hefur tekið sæti í stjórn Geimáætlunarstofnunar Evrópusambandsins (EUSPA). Þátttakan markar mikilvægt skref í samstarfi Íslands og Evrópu á sviði geimtækni, gervihnattagagna og nýsköpunar. - Copernicus Ocean Hackathon 2026 Wraps Up
Copernicus hafhakkaþoninu 2026 er nú lokið eftir viðburð þar sem hugmyndaríkir þátttakendur komu saman til að þróa nýjar lausnir við áskorunum tengdum hafinu og sjálfbærri nýtingu sjávarauðlinda. Á meðan á… Read more: Copernicus Ocean Hackathon 2026 Wraps Up - Copernicus Ocean Hackathon 2026
Copernicus Ocean Hakkaþon verður haldið í Húsi sjávarklasans við Grandagarð 16 helgina 16.–18. október næstkomandi. Þar gefst nemendum, frumkvöðlum og öðru áhugafólki tækifæri til að nýta gögn um hafið til… Read more: Copernicus Ocean Hackathon 2026 - Cassini Hackathon 2026
Opið er fyrir skráningu í CASSINI Hackathon – EU Space for Peace and Resilience, sem fer fram 27.–29. nóvember 2026 á nokkrum stöðum í Evrópu. Hackathonið snýst um að þróa… Read more: Cassini Hackathon 2026 - Copernicus Arctic Hub netnámskeið
Gögn og verkfæri fyrir norðurslóðir Copernicus Arctic Hub býður upp á tveggja daga netnámskeið fyrir nýja og væntanlega notendur sem vilja kynnast gögnum og verkfærum fyrir norðurslóðir. Á námskeiðinu verður… Read more: Copernicus Arctic Hub netnámskeið
News – Copernicus & ESA
- Time to wake up MetOp-SG-B1 weather satellite
- Sentinel-6B enters service
- Earth from Space: Champi’s eerie eye
- Ice mission CRISTAL opens its wings
- Earth from Space: The pink city
- MetOp-SG-B1 weather satellite arrives at Europe’s Spaceport
- Sentinel-3C captures Hurricane Rachel
- Earth from Space: West Antarctica
- Portugal’s EuRoC rocketry challenge flies higher with ESA
- Student-built SCAMPI experiment launches to the International Space Station
