The idea for a global and continuous European earth observation system was developed under the name of Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) which was later re-branded into Copernicus after the EU became directly involved in financing and development.
A idea de sistema global e continuo de observación terrestre foi desenvolvida baixo o nome de Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES), posteriormente renomeado como Copérnico despois de que a Unión Europea comezase a financiar e desenvolver o programa.