EUROPEAN UNION SATELLITE CENTRE (SATCEN)

The European Union Satellite Centre (EU SatCen) is the agency of the European Union (EU) that gathers information through satellite imagery. The centre is Torrejón de Ardoz, in the vicinity of Madrid, Spain. Other countries who have an association agreement with the SatCen can also use its resources. Although it is autonomous in its daily operations, the High Representative Federica Mogherini is responsible for its operational direction.

The Centre supports, in coherence with the European Security Strategy, the decision making of the European Union in the field of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), in particular of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), including European Union crisis management operations, by providing products resulting from the analysis of satellite imagery and collateral data, including aerial imagery, and related services.

The staff of the Centre consists of experienced imagery analysts, geospatial specialists and supporting personnel, recruited from EU Member States. The Centre also hosts seconded experts from Member States and Third States. The EU Satellite Centre assures technical development activities in direct support to its operational activities, as well as specialised training for its image analysts, including external participants from Member States and Third States.

Services

• Geospatial Intelligence
• Training
• Capability Development Initiatives