Project description
Empowering digital sovereignty in space communications
As the satellite ecosystem expands, optical communication systems are becoming more and more essential for handling vast data transmissions. These systems require small, lightweight payloads, with optical transceivers at their core. However, Europe currently lacks a comprehensive supply chain for manufacturing these advanced devices. The EU-funded SPACELINK project aims to address this gap by evolving technologies from previous projects H2020-SPACE-ORIONAS and SIPHODIAS. Building on their success, SPACELINK will manufacture flight-ready optical transceivers, boosting Europe’s digital sovereignty. Through cost-effective wafer-scale fabrication, the project will deliver cutting-edge VCSEL-based and photonic integrated circuit systems, challenging US-made solutions with superior performance, size, weight, and power efficiency. SPACELINK will establish Europe’s first high-reliability optical transceiver supply chain.
Objective
In the current booming satellite ecosystem, optical communications are now the champions of data handling. They are a must for super-capacity transmission systems, and they are a must for smaller and lighter payloads. The core enabling technology of these systems is the Optical Transceiver. In its most advanced versions, it is deployed either in the form of VCSEL-based or as integrated coherent lightwave modules. These complex products encompass diverse technologies such as lasers, electronic and photonic chips, micro-optics, optical and electrical interfaces, all in sophisticated miniature packaging. European sovereignty in producing such critical devices is of strategic importance, but to this date, a continental supply chain is missing. This is where SPACELINK come to play: SPACELINK is a natural evolution of H2020-SPACE-ORIONAS and SIPHODIAS – two successful EU funded projects, which have demonstrated optical transceiver circuits and modules to TRL >4, establishing the groundwork for the evolution and delivery of flight-ready hardware. SPACELINK is set-up to take the next step and through its manufacturing, assembly, integration and test campaign, will evolve the technology maturity and demonstrate flight-ready parts at TRL 7. SPACELINK aims to establish the first European supply chain of hi-rel optical transceivers, removing dependency barriers and securing Europe’s digital sovereignty. Leveraging high-end technologies in which Europe has and continues to invest, SPACELINK will deliver optical transceivers made in cost-effective wafer-scale fabrication. SPACELINK will deliver VCSEL-based and photonic integrated circuit systems that will challenge US-made solutions with drastic improvements in Size Weight and Power performance and manufacturability.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology mechanical engineering vehicle engineering aerospace engineering satellite technology
- natural sciences biological sciences ecology ecosystems
- natural sciences physical sciences optics laser physics
You need to log in or register to use this function
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
-
HORIZON.2.4 - Digital, Industry and Space
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme -
HORIZON.2.4.10 - Space, including Earth Observation
See all projects funded under this programme
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-RIA - HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-CL4-2024-SPACE-01
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
15236 Frankfurt Oder
Germany
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.