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Satellite Data Acquisition in the Blink of an Eye

Project description

Satellite data reception moves from hardware to software

The demand for Earth observation data for environmental monitoring, meteorology and other applications is growing due to their ability to further understanding and improve management of our planet and its environment. Current ground segment modems cannot accommodate the increasing data volumes, pace of innovation in satellite communications nor rising expectations of getting more value for less money. The EU-funded Blink modem aims to replace currently used expensive and hard-to-maintain hardware components. The wideband, pure-software modem is an affordable, scalable, and flexible solution for both large and small satellite missions. It makes dedicated ground stations more reliable, easier to use and cost-effective. As a software-based solution it is a perfect fit in the cloud, to be used in new satellite ground systems and services.

Objective

It is widely known that key information used in many industries such as meteorology, logistics, navigation, oil and gas, agriculture, ecology and others, comes from space, via Earth observation (EO) satellites. Having this data in a short time frame is becoming essential. Existing ground segment solutions are heavily based on hardware. They are not following technology advances like space hardware do which causes a bottleneck in EO data acquisition: required volume of data is not available quickly or with sufficient value! The objective of this proposal is to provide an innovative, completely software-based data acquisition solution for EO market – Blink, disruptive enough to compete with existing oligopoly in this market segment. The EO market is very interesting as it is being boosted by skyrocketing growth of start-ups in NewSpace industry like SpaceX, OneWeb and Planet, to name a few, and increasing trend of moving from thick hardware solutions towards flexible and dynamic software solutions as well as moving satellite ground systems and services in the cloud environment. The expected project outcome is a Blink device, a software-based solution for EO ground stations which will enable assembling a full performant ground station at a fraction of time and cost that are usual at a time being. This will bring benefit not just to growing segment of start-up companies, but also to big governmental missions worldwide, including Copernicus – the EU flagship mission for Earth observation. Humanitarian missions will also benefit from Blink. Construction of a larger number of ground stations and a faster GS deployment will significantly reduce time to get satellite images of disaster-struck areas. Therefore, rescue teams will be able to act faster, and hence save thousands of lives and homes. The successful implementation of the project, which already successfully passed Phase 1, with the support of the Horizon 2020 SME Instrument will ensure the company’s fast expansion of disruptive innovation for space technology market on EU level and beyond.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Programme(s)

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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.

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.

SME-2 - SME instrument phase 2

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) H2020-EIC-SMEInst-2018-2020

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Coordinator

AMPHINICY DOO ZA RACUNALNE AKTIVNOSTI I ZASTUPANJE
Net EU contribution

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.

€ 1 265 997,25
Address
ULICA DAMIRA TOMLJANOVICA, GAVRANA 15
10000 ZAGREB
Croatia

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SME

The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.

Yes
Region
Hrvatska Grad Zagreb Grad Zagreb
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Links
Total cost

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.

€ 1 850 913,75
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