About
Sentinel Hub is a powerful cloud API and geospatial platform built for accessing, processing, and analyzing satellite imagery from a wide range of data sources including the Copernicus Sentinel missions, Landsat, and Planet. Developed by Sinergise Solutions and recognized as the European EO Company of the Year 2018 and winner of the 2016 Copernicus Masters, Sentinel Hub abstracts away the infrastructure complexity of working with raw satellite data. Users can explore Earth observation data through the EO Browser, integrate imagery directly into GIS applications via standard OGC Web Services (WMS), or build custom remote sensing applications via the Sentinel Hub API. The platform supports full-resolution image previews, time-lapse visualization, time-series statistical analysis, custom scripting for on-the-fly product generation, and multi-temporal processing. Sentinel Hub is part of the Copernicus Data Space Ecosystem and offers global coverage with access to imagery at any scale. It is well suited for broad area management, environmental monitoring, agricultural analysis, urban planning, and disaster response. A 30-day free trial with access to Planet Sandbox data and Planet Insights Platform is available, making it accessible for developers and researchers to evaluate before committing to a paid plan.
Key Features
- Cloud Satellite Imagery API: Access satellite data from Sentinel, Landsat, Planet, and more through a unified, easy-to-integrate cloud API without managing infrastructure.
- OGC Web Services Integration: Import satellite imagery directly into GIS applications using standard WMS and other OGC protocols for seamless third-party tool integration.
- Custom Scripting & On-the-Fly Processing: Define and generate new satellite data products on demand using script-based configurations for tailored remote sensing workflows.
- Multi-Temporal Analysis: Perform time-lapse visualization and time-series statistical analysis across imagery archives to track environmental and geospatial changes over time.
- EO Browser: Explore and visualize Earth observation data interactively through the built-in EO Browser with preconfigured product layers and global coverage.
Use Cases
- Environmental monitoring and land-use change detection using multi-temporal satellite imagery analysis.
- Precision agriculture applications that track crop health, vegetation indices, and field conditions over time.
- Disaster response and damage assessment by comparing pre- and post-event satellite imagery of affected areas.
- Urban planning and infrastructure development supported by up-to-date, high-resolution satellite data.
- Building custom geospatial applications and dashboards that consume satellite imagery via the Sentinel Hub API.
Pros
- No Infrastructure Management: Handles all storage, synchronization, decompression, and metadata complexities so users can focus on analysis and application development.
- Broad Data Source Coverage: Provides unified access to multiple satellite data providers including Copernicus Sentinel missions, Landsat, and Planet at global scale.
- Standards-Based Integration: Supports OGC WMS and other standard web services, making it straightforward to plug into existing GIS tools and workflows.
Cons
- Primarily Paid After Trial: The free 30-day trial is limited to sandbox data; full production access requires a paid subscription that may be costly for individual researchers.
- Geospatial Domain Expertise Required: Getting the most out of custom scripting and multi-temporal analysis requires familiarity with remote sensing concepts and EO data formats.
Frequently Asked Questions
What satellite data sources does Sentinel Hub support?
Sentinel Hub supports data from the Copernicus Sentinel missions (1, 2, 3, 5P), Landsat, and Planet (via Planet Insights Platform), among other providers, all accessible through a single cloud API.
Is there a free plan or trial available?
Yes, Sentinel Hub offers a 30-day free trial that includes API-level access, Planet Sandbox data, and the Planet Insights Platform so you can evaluate the service before purchasing.
Can I integrate Sentinel Hub into my existing GIS application?
Yes. Sentinel Hub supports standard OGC Web Services like WMS, allowing direct integration into popular GIS tools such as QGIS, ArcGIS, and other third-party platforms.
What is the EO Browser?
The EO Browser is Sentinel Hub's web-based interface for exploring, visualizing, and analyzing Earth observation data interactively, with access to time-lapse features and preconfigured satellite products.
Who typically uses Sentinel Hub?
Sentinel Hub is used by GIS professionals, remote sensing researchers, environmental analysts, government agencies, and developers building geospatial applications that require reliable access to satellite imagery at scale.
