“Let’s Talk EU Space” is the latest podcast from the European Commission, which will make you discover the various applications and benefits that the EU Space Programme helps achieve. The first season will introduce you to Copernicus, Europe’s flagship Earth Observation programme, and the many ways in which its data is used to improve our daily lives.
Publisher
Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space
This episode features Pierre Bahurel, Director General of Mercator Ocean International, on the Copernicus Marine Service at its 10th anniversary. He reflects on its growth from a French initiative into a pan-European service providing free, reliable forecasts to hundreds of thousands of users worldwide.
Pierre highlights the transition from research to operations, the challenge of handling vast ocean models, and the importance of open data. He also looks ahead to the European Digital Twin of the Ocean, which will enable on-demand simulations and broaden access beyond experts.
At the 2025 UN Ocean Conference, Mercator showcased this vision while beginning its shift to an intergovernmental organisation. Pierre closes by stressing how Copernicus Marine underpins global cooperation and contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goal 14.
2 Jun 2025
Space situational awareness – Europe's eyes on space
In this episode of Let’s Talk EU Space, we introduce Space Situational Awareness, the EU’s key tool for protecting our orbital environment.
As space becomes more crowded with satellites and debris, SSA services help track hazards, predict collisions, and safeguard vital infrastructure in orbit and on Earth. From monitoring near-Earth objects to forecasting space weather, this episode breaks down how SSA keeps satellites safe and supports the sustainability of space.
5 Feb 2025
The Next Generation of Earth Observation – The Copernicus Expansion Missions
In this episode, Maria Berdahl, Seconded National Expert for Copernicus at the European Commission gives a brief overview of the Expansion Missions and how they will fit into the Copernicus landscape, the policy implications for these new missions, and a little bit about the current Expansion Missions timeline.
*Editor’s note: Some of the mission milestones may have shifted since the time of the recording.
1 Dec 2024
Taking care of soils with the EU Space Programme
This episode explores how the EU Space Programme supports efforts to restore and protect soil health. With tools like Copernicus, Galileo, and EGNOS, the programme provides data and services that help monitor soil conditions, support sustainable farming practices, and inform policies like the proposed EU Soil Monitoring Law. These efforts aim to combat soil degradation and contribute to a healthier environment by 2050.
5 Nov 2024
Galileo EWSS - Strengthening Europe's emergency alert systems
This episode discusses the Galileo Emergency Warning Satellite Service (EWSS) and its role in enhancing emergency communications in Europe. Eric Guyader, a Galileo Engineer at the European Commission, explains that EWSS is designed to send satellite-based alerts during disasters, ensuring messages reach people when traditional systems fail due to congestion or damage.Eric shares the history behind EWSS, initially inspired by the 2004 tsunami and revisited after the 2011 Fukushima disaster. The service complements existing ground-based alerts by using Galileo’s satellite network, which is independent of terrestrial infrastructure. Demonstrations in 2023 and 2024 across several EU Member States proved EWSS's rapid alert capabilities, transmitting warnings within a minute.As the service nears its 2025 launch, efforts continue to link Galileo with national alert systems, train civil protection authorities, and collaborate with device manufacturers for readiness. EWSS is a critical step towards a more resilient Europe, with interest from global partners like India and Japan.
29 Sept 2024
EU Space and sports – Transforming the athletic landscape
This episode explores how EU space technologies are revolutionising sports and fitness. It highlights four key use cases where space-based services are making an impact.Firstly, the episode discusses the widespread use of GNSS-enabled wearables like fitness trackers, which leverage Galileo's accurate real-time positioning data. Athletes and fitness enthusiasts use this data to track performance and optimise training. Galileo-enabled devices have become indispensable in field sports, providing valuable biometric and positional data.Next, the podcast covers the use of Copernicus Marine Service for water sports, such as surfing and sailing. It showcases examples like the Cap Optimiste project, which utilised Copernicus data to navigate challenging oceanic conditions.The episode then highlights how Galileo and EGNOS improve safety at sea, offering accurate navigation and search and rescue services through technologies like EPIRBs and Personal Locator Beacons.Finally, the podcast introduces the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service, which provides air quality data for outdoor sports enthusiasts. Apps using this data help users monitor pollution and ensure safer conditions for outdoor activities like running and cycling.
25 Jun 2024
Navigating new frontiers – What’s next for Galileo?
In the teaser episode for Season 2 of "Let's Talk EU Space," the podcast announces an expansion in its scope to cover the full range of components within the EU Space Programme and gives some examples of the different topics that will be covered.
15 Feb 2024
The new wave of maritime law enforcement – how Copernicus is helping sea surveillance
Today's episode takes us out to sea, as we will dive deep into how Copernicus is transforming the realm of maritime law enforcement, helping coastal authorities to keep our oceans safe and secure. In fact, oceans and seas are the places where many different types of crime occur, including smuggling of contraband, piracy, and environmental pollution such as oil discharges. And if you think that over 70% of the Earth's surface is covered in water, regulating maritime activity can be a daunting task. Fortunately, law enforcement officials can rely on effective countermeasures to detect and identify unlawful activities. One example? Copernicus’ very powerful eyes on Earth. And we will explore this fascinating topic with our guest, Mr Leendert Bal who is Head of Department Safety, Security and Surveillance at EMSA.
30 Jan 2024
The price of melting ice – how Copernicus helps monitor glaciers and climate change.
Norway is home to some of the largest glaciers in Europe. You may be familiar with the amazing landscapes of the region, either from having been there yourself or from enjoying them in pictures and videos. However, with rising temperatures and shifting weather patterns, these frozen giants are melting at an unprecedented rate. As you can imagine, this is having a huge impact on the local ecosystems and of course on people’s lives, so we really need to keep a close eye on it. But luckily enough, for this, we can rely on Copernicus and its eyes on Earth. Today with us is Dr. Liss marie Andreassen, Research Professor and Division for Glaciers & ice sheets at the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate.
4 Jan 2024
It’s time for the future – how visionary ideas based on Copernicus are changing our lives
Today we’ll embark on a special journey to the frontier, where the impossible becomes possible and the unimaginable becomes reality. Which frontier am I talking about, you will wonder. It’s the frontier of space applications!In fact, thanks to its countless possible applications to our lives, space is no longer just the frontier of exploration, but also of entrepreneurship. Companies and start-ups are already using data from space initiatives such as Copernicus to come up with revolutionary ideas changing our life.
14 Dec 2023
The hidden danger in our seas – how Copernicus tracks microplastics and protects food supply
Today, we're diving deep into the hidden dangers lurking beneath the waves. We'll be exploring the world of microplastics in our seas and oceans and how Copernicus is playing a pivotal role in tracking these tiny yet significant threats. Did you know that the fish we enjoy eating might contain tiny particles of plastic? It's quite concerning because these microplastics are pervasive in the environment and pose a growing threat, both to our marine ecosystems and to our health. So, how could safe and clean marine-based food from aquaculture be ensured, then? That’s the big question we will discuss in this episode, and we will do that with an expert from the Mercator Ocean International, the organisation behind the Copernicus Marine Environment Monitoring Service (CMEMS).
4 Dec 2023
Staying ahead of the shake – how Copernicus ensures the safety of dams and tunnels
We use them, we reply upon them and we definitely want them to be properly monitored and protected. I am speaking about dams and tunnels. Dams provide us with water and electricity, while tunnels are essential to streamline the transportation of people and goods. And today we have here with us Candela Sancho Garcia, CEO and Co-founder of Detektia, who is dedicating their life to supporting engineering and construction companies by providing early warnings…from space!
16 Nov 2023
From Space to Nose – how Copernicus helps to predict pollen levels and allergy reactions
Today we are talking about something that many of you unfortunately may know very well: allergy to pollen, which can really turn spring into a nightmare. If you suffer from it, you must be very familiar with this feeling: winter is finally over, days are getting sunny and warm, but you literally can’t go out, or you’ll feel horrible. So, a very serious problem, which we will talk about together with Dr. Ingrida Sauliene, Professor at Vilnius University, who actually may have a solution for it, based on Copernicus, the Earth Observation component of the EU Space programme!
30 Oct 2023
When seconds count– How Copernicus supported the emergency response activities in the aftermath of the floods in Emilia Romagna
Throughout history, rivers have played a crucial role in supporting cities and civilizations, but it's important to acknowledge that they can also bring certain risks. From the grand scale of major floods to the subtle ebb and flow of water levels in rivers and seas, our planet's unpredictable nature never fails to captivate us. Fortunately, technology has equipped us with a powerful tool to safeguard lives in these situations: Copernicus. With its vigilant perspective from above, local authorities can receive early warning notifications, and rescue teams can rapidly receive flood delineations and damage assessments, in order to support emergency operations on site. In this episode, we explore a recent and compelling example of Copernicus's critical role. Specifically, we focus on the floods that occurred in the Italian region of Emilia Romagna in mid-May 2023. Joining us today is one of the key figures behind the Copernicus Emergency Management Service, CEMS Coordinator, Peter Salamon.
7 Jun 2023
The Copernicus revolution
Welcome in this first episode of Let’s Talk EU Space. In this episode we will discover Copernicus and talk about Europe in space, and how these are shaping our lives!In this episode, we are meeting Evi Papantoniou, Deputy Director for Space and the Head of the Space Policy Unit in the European Commission and Mauro Facchini, Head of Unit for Earth Observation in the European Commission - Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DEFIS).
5 Jun 2023
Trailer
Can we use space to change our everyday lives?
Is there a way to keep an eye on our planet and mitigate the effects of pollution, climate change and natural disasters?
And did you know that Copernicus is not just the name of a famous scientist, but also of a fleet of satellites doing just these things?
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