Competitiveness of the European Space Sector: Technology and Science

Call summary

Scene Setter

Competitiveness of European Space Technology

Competitiveness, non-dependence and innovation of the European space sector must be ensured by fostering the development of space technologies. The overarching objective is to contribute at European level, in conjunction with Member States and ESA, to the safeguarding and further development of a competitive and entrepreneurial space industry (including SMEs) and the strengthening of European non-dependence in space systems. This implies enabling advances in space technologies and operational concepts from idea to demonstration in representative terrestrial environments and/or in space.

Attention will be given to some clear trends in space technology development; on the one hand miniaturization on system and subsystem level, as well as in the development of instrumentation. On the other hand the development to generic technologies coming available for a number of different science and application areas. This leads to obvious synergies that should be promoted.

Competitiveness of European space industry is strongly dependent on performance in a global market, which has a high variability when compared to the institutional market. The ability to react to contract opportunities world-wide with recurring technologies for satellites is a critical success factor, and depends on ready access for integrators to subsystem and equipment capacities in Europe.

To ensure the competitive advantage, subsystems and/or equipment have to be technologically mature (i.e. at adequate technology readiness level (TRL), possibly flight proven) and be accompanied by adequate production rates. European focus in future space technologies, beyond the current state of the art, needs to be strengthened along the entire TRL scale: from low TRL key technologies to in-orbit demonstration and validation. Concrete support for IOD/IOV opportunities is planned for subsequent work programmes (2018-2020) , considering previous results and evolving European priorities.

Technologies for satellite communication will be supported in particular in topics COMPET-2-2016 "Maturing satellite communication technologies" and in COMPET-3-2017 "High data rate chain". In addition, the topics COMPET-1-2016/2017 "Technologies for European non-dependence and competitiveness" and COMPET-3-2016 "In-space electrical propulsion and station keeping" address important objectives for the satellite communication industry.

Technologies for Earth observation will be supported in particular in topics COMPET-2-2017 "Competitiveness in Earth observation mission technologies" and COMPET-3-2017 "High data rate chain". In addition, the topics COMPET-1-2016/2017 "Technologies for European non-dependence and competitiveness" also contribute to enabling technologies for Earth observation.

Technologies for satellite navigation are addressed in the Galileo part of the work programme.

Technologies enabling recurrence of use contribute to enhancing industrial competitiveness. Research on building blocks, components and items with potential for use in a variety of programmes and applications is therefore encouraged. Standardisation of such items by existing initiatives such as the European Space Components Coordination (ESCC) and the European Cooperation for Space Standardisation (ECSS), and their interfaces across Europe can optimise the investments and when applied appropriately facilitate access to emerging commercial markets. Synergies with ongoing work with ESA and Member States in the area of technology standardisation will be sought.

Space exploration and science

In 2017 support for space sciences and space exploration will address the exploitation of space science data on astrophysics (including exoplanets), heliophysics and the Solar System exploration, including the Moon. Other scientific domains will be addressed in following years.

This call will also address space weather.