European Commission logo
English English
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS

MicroWave Photonic Technologies for Communications and Sensing Applications in Space

Project description

Creating new experts for the satellite industry

The increased demand for services provided by satellite systems, ranging from communications to research and earth observation, has led to more satellites being launched in the past 5 years than in the previous 60 years combined. This has brought multiple opportunities for specialists in related devices, systems and technologies. Funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the MWP4SPACE project aims to offer 15 young researchers training and the required skills to occupy these positions. The researchers will be provided with a novel education programme that will make them experts in integrated microwave photonic equipment and systems for satellite and space frameworks.

Objective

A revolution is taking place in the field of satellite systems, as more satellites have been launched into orbit in the last 5 years then in the last 6 decades combined. The main reason for this is because satellites are now affordable to manufacture and the new generation of satellites orbit at much lower altitudes – sparking new opportunities in communications and Earth Observations (EO).
The MWP4SPACE IDN will train the next generation of specialists in Integrated Microwave Photonic (IMWP) devices and systems in the framework of satellite and space applications. They will gain skills to integrate compact photonic and radio frequency (RF) circuits, and cutting-edge knowledge of photonic integrated circuit (PIC) design, fabrication, packaging, validation and qualification both at the device and system level – competences for which there is a fast-growing demand in the global satellite industry, but that are rarely taught in an integrated training program. Importantly, those skills are deemed essential to achieve the scientific goals of the program, which are to develop, introduce and promote IMWP technologies for secure and reconfigurable networks of LEO- and MEO satellites for telecommunications (SATCOM) and EO.
MWP4SPACE will offer a unique education program for 15 young researchers structured in research projects and network-wide training activities and delivered by 6 European Universities, 1 non-profit academic research institutions and 9 companies which are world-class references in both photonics and space technologies. By positioning MWP4SPACE DCs as key actors in the transfer of knowledge developed for terrestrial applications to space applications, our training network will significantly contribute to their employability by placing them as future leaders in the next generation of SATCOM and EO technologies.

Keywords

Coordinator

UNIVERSIDAD DE VIGO
Net EU contribution
€ 419 952,00
Address
LG CAMPUS LAGOAS MARCOSENDE
36310 Vigo Pontevedra
Spain

See on map

Region
Noroeste Galicia Pontevedra
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost
No data

Participants (10)

Partners (5)