Indra will process and store 1.000 TB of images per year during the Sentinel-2 satellite mission

The technology multinational Indra has reached an agreement with the European Space Agency (ESA) for which it will host in its facilities in San Fernando de Henares, in Madrid, the main image processing and archiving center for the Sentinel-2 mission, in which it will store some 1.000 terabytes of new images per year.

The contract between Indra and the European Space Agency, with which the Spanish technology multinational strengthens its position as an operator of satellite image processing centers and its portfolio of solutions and services in the space sector, It is part of the 'Copernicus' program, with which Europe will provide itself with Earth observation capacity aimed at serving the needs of different users.

Indra makes its processing and archiving center available to Sentinel satellites, located in the company's facilities in the Madrid town of San Fernando de Henares, which will enter service in September 2014, coinciding with the launch of Sentinel-2, which can be expanded later to manage the data from the second satellite, Sentinel-2B, that will be launched into space in 2016.

These satellites, polar orbit, will capture high resolution images in thirteen bands, in visible and infrared, with a useful life of about seven years, respectively, although they are prepared so that it can be extended up to five more years.

Indra will also be in charge of long-term data storage, and it is expected that each year up to 1.000 terabytes of new images, that will be stored in the CPD of San Fernando de Henares, which currently has 5.000 square meters and offers a percentage of service without interruptions of the 99,98%.

Based on the information extracted from the images, The company will be able to offer high added value services in national and international projects that require data related to the environment., agriculture, land use, urban systems, security and emergencies, water management, etc.

Indra's specialized Earth observation team will be responsible for the complete management and operation of the center, including image processing and distribution to users, a business line that the company reinforced last year after closing an alliance with RapidEye to have access to its constellation of five satellites.