Digital enablers and building blocks for collaborative Earth Observation and Satellite telecommunications for Space solutions (Space Partnership)

Expected Outcome: The topic encompasses actions within the scope of the co-programmed European Partnership on Globally Competitive Space Systems (‘Space Partnership’) in the areas of satellite communication (SatCom), Earth Observation (EO) and New Commercial Space Transportation Solutions and is part of cohesive activities in the domain of digital developments under the grand heading of “digitalisation for commercial space solutions”. Digitalisation is a major enabler for enhancing the value of an End-to-End EO and SatCom system. Under the area of Using Space on Earth related to SatCom and EO, below this topic focusses on the Low to Mid TRL level developments of key technologies[1] required to strengthen competitiveness in these domains with a dedicated focus on synergies between Earth observation and Satellite telecommunication technologies. Projects are expected to contribute to one or several of the following outcomes: Next generation Earth observation and SatCom payloads, technologies and processing means (on ground and in space); Security of SatCom and EO services, supporting next-generation technologies for both ground and space commercial applications. This will contribute to developing, deploying global, more flexible and reactive space-based services applications, to contribute to fostering the EU's space sector competitiveness, as stated in the expected impact of this destination. Scope: The areas of R&I, which needs to be addressed to tackle the above-mentioned exp…bron

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• Digital enablers and building blocks for collaborative Earth Observation and Satellite telecommunications for Space solutions (Space Partnership)EU-portaal (SEDIA) · ec.europa.eu7 jul 2026
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  Digital enablers and building blocks for collaborative Earth Observation and Satellite telecommunications for Space solutions (Space Partnership)
  
  Topic: HORIZON-CL4-2027-SPACE-03-33
  Call: HORIZON-CL4-2027-03 — SPACE
  Programma: Horizon Europe (2021 - 2027)
  
  == Beschrijving ==
  Expected Outcome:
  The topic encompasses actions within the scope of the co-programmed European Partnership on Globally Competitive Space Systems (‘Space Partnership’) in the areas of satellite communication (SatCom), Earth Observation (EO) and New Commercial Space Transportation Solutions and is part of cohesive activities in the domain of digital developments under the grand heading of “digitalisation for commercial space solutions”.
  Digitalisation is a major enabler for enhancing the value of an End-to-End EO and SatCom system. Under the area of Using Space on Earth related to SatCom and EO, below this topic focusses on the Low to Mid TRL level developments of key technologies[1] required to strengthen competitiveness in these domains with a dedicated focus on synergies between Earth observation and Satellite telecommunication technologies.
  Projects are expected to contribute to one or several of the following outcomes:
  Next generation Earth observation and SatCom payloads, technologies and processing means (on ground and in space);
  Security of SatCom and EO services, supporting next-generation technologies for both ground and space commercial applications.
  This will contribute to developing, deploying global, more flexible and reactive space-based services applications, to contribute to fostering the EU's space sector competitiveness, as stated in the expected impact of this destination.
  Scope:
  The areas of R&I, which needs to be addressed to tackle the above-mentioned expected outcomes are:
  R&I on End-to-End SatCom Mission capabilities for increased robustness, energy efficient connectivity and compatibility with 5G & 6G waveforms such as constellation and network software management systems and optical communications, including both space and ground-based assets, and digital on-ground infrastructure to test and enhance operational efficiency;
  R&I on building blocks and processes common to EO and SatCom systems allowing for in-orbit reconfigurability, faster data availability, on-board and on-ground smart computing and improved operation resilience.
  Proposals are expected to promote cooperation between different actors (industry, SMEs, research institutions and infrastructures and academia) and consider opportunities to quickly turn technological innovation into commercial use in space.
  It is expected that projects make use of existing EU technologies and/or building blocks, including at component level, contributing to EU non-dependence and strengthen competitiveness, and this should be clearly presented in the proposal. Furthermore, proposed activities should be complementary to H2020 and Horizon Europe funded projects, national activities and activities funded by the European Space Agency (ESA).
  This topic contributes to the implementation of the European Partnership on ‘Globally Competitive Space Systems’ (GCSS).
  In this topic, the integration of the gender dimension (sex and gender analysis) in research and innovation content should be addressed only if relevant in relation to the objectives of the research effort.
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  Activities are expected to achieve TRL 4-5 by the end of the project. The reference TRL definition is the ISO 16290:2013 applicable to the space sector.
  [1] Identified in the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) of the co-Programmed European Partnership on Globally Competitive Space Systems (https://www.space-aisbl.org/sria/)
  
  == Destination ==
  Today, EU citizens enjoy watching satellite TV, increasingly accurate global navigation services for all transport modes and users, extended Earth monitoring for land, marine, atmosphere and climate change, global meteorological observation and accurate cartographies of a wide number of variables. Space also makes important contributions to security crisis management and emergency services. The EU Space Programme components (such as EGNSS and Copernicus) are key assets for the EU policies on climate, environment, transport, agriculture and secure society. Finally, the Space sector is a source of economic growth and jobs.
  This Destination is structured along the following building blocks:
  Accessing Space, i.e. the ability to transport satellites, cargo, and humans into space; build and launch the required vehicles, including re-usable systems; and operate the related facilities and services.
  Using Space on Earth, i.e. the ability to provide space-based secure communication, navigation and Earth observation services and applications, including through the EU Space flagships Galileo, Copernicus and IRIS2.
  Monitoring Space, i.e. the ability to detect, track and anticipate the trajectory of spacecraft, Near-Earth objects, and space debris during their full lifetime; to share data with relevant stakeholders; and to provide solutions for safe international space traffic management. It also includes the tracking and anticipation of other impacts on the space environment, such as Space weather events.
  Acting in Space, i.e. the ability to inspect, rendezvous and dock, grasp, repair, refuel, reconfigure, build, assemble and disassemble, reuse/recycle, relocate, remove and transport operational, non-operational, and other objects in space, including platforms or larger structures.
  Exploring Space, i.e. the ability to conduct high profile space exploration activities, perform excellent science and exploit space data to increase our knowledge about the Universe and celestial bodies, with a view to their exploration for scientific and socio-economic benefits.
  Boosting Space, i.e. the ability to sustain the above strategic capabilities through fostering the competitiveness of the EU space sector; improving education and developing the required skills; accelerating the pace of innovation; supporting EU non-dependency on critical technologies; and strengthening international cooperation.
  Those building blocks are implemented through the following headings:
  Heading 1: Accessing Space
  Autonomous access to space is a prerequisite for the strategic autonomy of the EU. It is a key enabler and indispensable element in the space ecosystem and value chain. European launch systems allow the autonomous deployment of satellites for the Union’s flagships Copernicus, Galileo/EGNOS and IRIS2 and contribute to the security and resilience of Europe’s sovereign space infrastructure.
  In a context of fierce competition and launch services paradigm changes, ensuring that Europe improves the resilience and the cost-effectiveness of its autonomous access to space is crucial. This requires urgent activities to enable and further consolidate operational capacities before 2030 in line with the Strategic R&I Agenda for EU-funded Space research supporting competitiveness adopted in 2020.
  This challenge will be tackled by fostering space transportation solutions through the support to building blocks for smart technologies and digital solutions and through facilitating access to European spaceports.
  Heading 2: Acting in Space
  In-Space Operations and Services (ISOS) will ensure EU’s freedom of action in space and increase the resilience, sustainability, safety and protection of its space infrastructure, and contribute to the strengthening of the competitiveness of its space sector. R&I activities should bring Europe to the forefront of emerging service applications, including inspection, rendezvous and docking, grasping, repair, reconfiguration, assembly and disassembly, manufacturing, resource extraction, reuse/recycling, removal and transport of objects in space, for satellites, platforms and larger structures. Key space R&I activities will be driven by a pilot mission that will contribute to establish and foster a new in-space economy.
  Game-changing innovations and enabling technologies are at the heart of ISOS and an important focus of future actions. The paradigm shift towards adaptive space systems builds on automation and robotics, artificial intelligence, modular and reconfigurable spacecraft concepts. Together with other enabling technologies such as electric propulsion, intelligent mechanisms and interfaces or advanced GNC, they will provide new ways on how space assets are designed, produced, tested, transported, and operated. Different means realised with AppStore-like approaches will benefit the future space ecosystem and foster a circular economy.
  Heading 3: Using Space on Earth related to telecommunications
  The Union Secure Connectivity programme aims to develop a secure and autonomous space-based connectivity system for the provision of guaranteed and resilient satellite communications on Earth. Among the objectives are to develop, build and operate a multiorbital space-based state-of-the-art connectivity system, continuously adapted to governmental satellite communications demand evolution; to complement the Union pool of satellite communication capacities and services; and to integrate the GOVSATCOM ground segment infrastructure, as well as the European quantum communication infrastructure (EuroQCI).
  In the context of the co-Programmed European Partnership for Globally Competitive Space Systems (Space Partnership), R&I will focus on cohesive activities in the domain of digital developments under the grand heading of Digitalisation for Commercial Space solutions, more specifically on collaborative and synergetic solutions for Earth Observation and Satellite Telecommunication missions.
  Heading 4: Using Space on Earth related to Earth Observation
  The evolution of Copernicus core services (Climate Change, Marine Environment Monitoring, Land Monitoring, Atmosphere Monitoring, Emergency Management and Security) is being taken care of through projects launched under the previous R&I work programmes.
  In the context of the co-Programmed European Partnership for Globally Competitive Space Systems (Space Partnership), R&I will focus on cohesive activities in the domain of digital developments under the grand heading of Digitalisation for Commercial Space solutions, more specifically on collaborative and synergetic solutions for Earth Observation and Satellite Telecommunication missions.
  In addition, we will strive to also support the development of innovative applications of Copernicus’ services and data. That said, such support is also coming from non-HE activities carried out by EUSPA, the EU agency for the Space Programme: collaboration with receivers’ manufacturers, with mobile phones’ manufacturers, with cars’ manufacturers, etc., as well as through influencing the development of policies where the use of Earth Observation data is required.
  Heading 5: Using Space on Earth related to satellite navigation
  For Galileo/EGNOS, the international context, the competitive environment with emerging actors including from the private sector, novel techniques in the value chain such as LEO layer for PNT or ground segment automation based on Artificial Intelligence, the increasing threats in space and in cyber, and the evolution of the technologies, components and systems, call for a constant adaptation of the EU space infrastructure to these changing realities.
  To meet these challenges, EU needs sustained investments in R&D for innovative mission concepts, technology and systems. These will ensure the continuity of the EGNSS service, minimise the risks for technology inclusion in the infrastructure, thanks to anticipated development and testing including in-orbit, and protect better this infrastructure against modern threats (notably cyber, jamming/spoofing, natural hazards).
  These investments in R&D will contribute to maintaining the EU´s leadership position in the Global Navigation Satellite Systems, and to strengthening the strategic autonomy of the EU.
  In addition,
  
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