Il programma Copernicus ed il ruolo della sua Academy all’epoca dei Big Data

Abstract

Copernicus is a very successful European Earth Observation Program, producing a unique volume of data and information and number of operational services in the world. However, for a long time, satellite data, more than the information produced through its operational services, has been mainly used for research purposes. This is not the primary aim of the Programme, that has to be addressed to several others user communities, such as those gathering public administrators, professionals and enterprises, which primarily make use of the produced and free of charge available information. To overcome this limit, since 2016, specific actions have been carried out at the European and National level. The most important of them is the Copernicus User Uptake, aimed at informing and making the end-users aware of the usefulness of what Copernicus produces and provides free of charge. Within this action, the activities designed and implemented through the Copernicus Academy Networks have a particular and great relevance. In order to take advantage of the opportunities offered by Copernicus, knowledge of and skill with advanced Information and Communications Technology (ICT) – such as those related to big data and hypercomputing facilities management, along with the most innovative and available cloud approach – are needed. This paper traces the history and illustrates the role of Copernicus and of its Academy, relating them to the most recent innovative ICT evolution.