Competitiveness of 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 supported in particular in topics COMPET-2-2017 "Competitiveness in Earth observation mission technologies" and COMPET-3-2017 "High speed data 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 modular, reusable elements is therefore encouraged. Standardisation of such modular components 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.

Strategic research clusters

In the frame of Horizon 2020 work programme 2014, two strategic research clusters (SRC) were initiated in the fields of In-Space electrical propulsion and station keeping and Space Robotics Technologies – with two coordination and support actions[[EPIC for In-Space electrical propulsion and station keeping and PERASPERA for Space Robotics Technologies]] awarded having as main objective to oversee and prepare European roadmaps for each SRC.

Subsequently, this work programme dedicates two SRC topics which are in line with the information contained in the aforementioned roadmaps. Additional topics are planned to follow in the years 2018-2020.

Regarding the cluster "Space Robotics Technologies" applicants may also wish to refer to the ICT part of the work programme on Robotics and Autonomous systems[[Topics from ICT-05-01 to ICT-05-07.]] where generic robotic technologies are addressed.

Within each SRC the beneficiaries of each awarded grant will collaborate for the purposes of the cluster with the beneficiaries of the other awarded grants.

Applicants to both SRC topics are advised to consult the corresponding guidelines[[http://ec.europa.eu/growth/sectors/space/research/horizon-2020]].

Space exploration and science

Europe has, over the years, established a leading position in space exploration and space sciences. The proposed approach is to enable European communities to make a concerted effort to capitalise on current European space sciences, as well as space and planetary exploration infrastructures, and to achieve the highest possible science return from operational and future space missions. Activities which further science in the context of space missions, i.e. supporting scientific instrumentation in support of future or operational missions, will be supported.