HORIZON-CL4-SSA-SST-MS - New & improved EUSST Missions and Services

Expected Outcomes:

In the coming years, an increase in the number of active objects in orbit is foreseen (e.g. deployment of mega-constellations, increased number of non-manoeuvrable small objects – SmallSats for research and scientific purposes, etc.). Additionally, the number of objects (active and inactive) to be handled by SST systems will also increase due to the use of sensors with a higher detection capability. For example, the US Space Fence radar, declared operational in March 2020, is capable of detecting and tracking objects smaller than 10 centimetres and is expected to considerably increase the size of the space objects catalogue of the US Space Surveillance Network.

Consequently, the provision of services by the EUSST operation centres, as well as the strategy used to protect the European active satellites will have to be adapted to the arising needs. The need for the development of automated concepts becomes more relevant in order to reduce response times, reduce costs