Telespazio has been awarded a contract by ESA to develop the coordination and data access system of the Copernicus programme

Rome  27 June 2019

As part of the European Copernicus Earth Observation Programme, Telespazio was awarded a contract as main contractor by the European Space Agency (ESA) to develop, maintain, and manage operations for the PRISM (Copernicus Contributing Missions access Support Functions and Platform) system.

The contract is worth EUR 12.5 million, and will run for 34 months, with the possibility of an optional extension of up to a further 24 months.

This system makes it possible to distribute satellite data generated by the Copernicus contributing missions to ESA users engaged in managing emergencies, monitoring the environment, and security.

PRISM is an evolution of the CDS V3 system operated by Telespazio as a result of a tender process won in 2014 and will be completely deployed over a commercial cloud. It will be fully integrated with the ESA’s Sentinel missions, Italy’s COSMO-SkyMed  satellites, and other EO missions associated with the Copernicus programme.

The tasks are managed by an international consortium headed by Telespazio, which also includes the Italian company Serco (main partner, responsible for operations), the Italian ONDA DIAS for cloud services, supplied by Serco via OVH cloud provider, Intecs, and Werum companies and other European partners.

Telespazio once again confirms that it is one of the European Space Agency’s main suppliers for high-tech systems, applications and services and plays a role of prime importance as industrial partner in the Copernicus programme.

Other News & Stories

20.10.2026
e-GEOS has built the new satellite laser ranging station at the Italian Space Agency’s Matera Space Centre

The new Matera Satellite Laser Ranging (MSLR) infrastructure, developed as part of an Italian Space Agency (ASI) project, supports space geodesy through highly precise measurements. The project builds on the e-GEOS decade-long expertise in laser ranging.

15.10.2026
Telespazio’s polar site in Sodankylä is ready for operations

Acquiring satellite data and making it available to those who run space missions is the job of the two S/X-band antennas that Telespazio has installed in Sodankylä, Finland, at the Arctic Space Centre operated by the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI). Strategically located, the site is a benchmark for all of Finland: it hosts the country’s main infrastructure and works with the leading international players in space.

09.10.2026
Telespazio Benelux to build the ground infrastructure for ESA’s lunar ice-hunting mission

Telespazio Benelux will lead a European consortium, with EarthLab Luxembourg and Astro42, to deliver and operate the control centre for PROSPECT, ESA’s mission to drill for water ice and other volatile chemicals at the lunar south pole, with a drill developed and built by Leonardo.

08.10.2026
e-GEOS: Board of Directors appoints Cristina Sgubin as Chief Executive Officer

The Board of Directors of e-GEOS, a joint venture between Telespazio (80%) and the Italian Space Agency (20%), has unanimously appointed Attorney Cristina Sgubin as Chief Executive Officer of the company. Sgubin will also be responsible for Telespazio’s Geo Information Line of Business.

20.10.2026
e-GEOS has built the new satellite laser ranging station at the Italian Space Agency’s Matera Space Centre

The new Matera Satellite Laser Ranging (MSLR) infrastructure, developed as part of an Italian Space Agency (ASI) project, supports space geodesy through highly precise measurements. The project builds on the e-GEOS decade-long expertise in laser ranging.

15.10.2026
Telespazio’s polar site in Sodankylä is ready for operations

Acquiring satellite data and making it available to those who run space missions is the job of the two S/X-band antennas that Telespazio has installed in Sodankylä, Finland, at the Arctic Space Centre operated by the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI). Strategically located, the site is a benchmark for all of Finland: it hosts the country’s main infrastructure and works with the leading international players in space.

09.10.2026
Telespazio Benelux to build the ground infrastructure for ESA’s lunar ice-hunting mission

Telespazio Benelux will lead a European consortium, with EarthLab Luxembourg and Astro42, to deliver and operate the control centre for PROSPECT, ESA’s mission to drill for water ice and other volatile chemicals at the lunar south pole, with a drill developed and built by Leonardo.

08.10.2026
e-GEOS: Board of Directors appoints Cristina Sgubin as Chief Executive Officer

The Board of Directors of e-GEOS, a joint venture between Telespazio (80%) and the Italian Space Agency (20%), has unanimously appointed Attorney Cristina Sgubin as Chief Executive Officer of the company. Sgubin will also be responsible for Telespazio’s Geo Information Line of Business.