Space-based SST (mission, system and sensors network)

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Expected Outcomes:

This SST topic contributes to ensuring full and optimal capacity of the EUSST Partnership once the latter is set up. Its outcomes are expected to build on previous and ongoing actions and aim at achieving full capacity of the EUSST Partnership by end 2024.

With a growing orbital population and the need to observe smaller objects in order to be able to better protect EU space assets, the need for and added-value of developing Space-Based Space Surveillance (SBSS) missions in complementation to ground-based SST sensors should be studied in Europe. Based on the experience of SBSS missions launched and operated outside Europe , space-based SST missions and sensors networks will have to be included into EUSST in order to increase the EU ability to observe and catalogue objects in various orbits and to compensate for limitations linked to geographical location, light and weather conditions of ground-based sensors.

Therefore, projects developed under this topic are expected to contribute to the following outcomes:

1. Study and assess several technical solutions for the development of future European SBSS capabilities.
2. Explore the use of small satellite solutions to reduce capital expenditures CAPEX and operational expenditures OPEX.
3. In the medium-term, develop European capacities to operate SBSS independently.
4. Reduce dependence on critical SBSS technologies and capabilities from outside Europe.

Scope:

This SST topic contributes to ensuring full and optimal capacity of the EUSST Partnership once the latter is set up. Its scope is expected to build on previous and ongoing actions and aims at achieving full capacity of the EUSST Partnership by end 2024.

R&I activities which needs to be addressed in order to tackle the above expected outcomes are:

1. Study various mission configurations (e.g. orbit regime, orbit plan) and payload definition to maximize the number of catalogued objects and associated accuracy). Analyse EUSST gaps and solutions to fill them with best value for money.
2. Study coordination strategies and techniques among satellites of SBSS missions and terrestrial SST systems.
3. Develop or improve existing algorithms to evolve from detection to cataloguing (e.g. IOD, correlation) taking into account ground-based SST systems and payload performance (i.e. observable magnitude).
4. Explore use of non-dedicated sensors (e.g. star trackers) or hosted payloads in non-dedicated missions (“opportunistic” solutions) to reduce the costs of operation.
5. Assess security issues related to the link between SBSS and ground-based EUSST networks.

As the legal entities (the “Constituting National Entities’) identified below are bodies designated by Member States, under their responsibility, to participate in the SST Partnership within the meaning of Articles 56 & 57 of the “Regulation (EU) 2021/696 of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the space programme of the Union and the European Union Agency for the Space Programme”, and under the same Regulation (EU) 2021/696 the Member States are identified as beneficiaries, this grant is awarded without a call for proposals in accordance with Article 195(d) of the EU Financial Regulation 2018/1046 and Article 20 of the Horizon Europe Framework Programme and Rules for Participation.

In this action the integration of the gender dimension (sex and gender analysis) in research and innovation content is not a mandatory requirement.

Implementation: Research and Innovation Action (RIA)

Note: specific conditions apply to this action.