Strengthening the sustainability and resilience of EU space infrastructure

Scope:

Background and scope:

The ever-growing orbital population of satellites and space debris poses increasing challenges to space infrastructure. The density of space objects amplifies the risk of orbital collisions, unexpected fragmentation events and re-entries that may result in the degradation of space assets, hindering the services they deliver and, thus making Earth orbits unusable.

Debris growth is escalating with more than 2,500 non-operational satellites, 36,500 space debris pieces bigger than 10 cm and 1 million pieces of debris between 1-10 cm in Earth’s orbits. Collision avoidance manoeuvres for satellite owners has doubled and is expected to grow. Continuous trajectory changes of spacecraft will result in insufficient fuel for deorbiting, critical end of life spacecraft manoeuvres and any other remediation or in-space mobility activities. In-space recycling of dysfunctional orbital assets will provide an opportunity for space assets re-utilisation and in-space refuelling.

This challenge addresses the long-term emerging need for green, compact and affordable de-orbiting solutions and in-space recycling of space debris.

Space systems and services in the EU are critical infrastructures that need to be better protected Still, the level of protection of space assets varies across Member States, and there is a need to expand the scope of EU actions.

In this context, the need to protect EU space infrastructure and continue to promote the preservation of a safe and secure space domain is essential.

Specific objectives

The overall goal of this Challenge is to support the development of innovations that will strengthen the protection of EU space infrastructure.

The specific goals of this challenge are 1) development of technologies for space debris mitigation and active debris removal; 2) concepts for in-space recycling of dysfunctional orbital assets; 3) innovations for protecting EU space infrastructure.

The projects, supported under this challenge are expected to develop break-through concepts in one or more of the following areas:

• Game-changing technologies for controlled space debris mitigation (to reduce their generation) and active debris removal (by managing existing space debris, de-orbiting, relocation, etc.) including ones that prevent spacecraft system damage. This includes among others propellantless propulsion technologies such as space-based lasers, laser pushed lightsails, physical sweeper in orbit, laser electric propulsion, tethers or water propulsion for moving all sized debris
• In-space Recycling & Re-use of orbital assets- with a focus on recycling and re-using dysfunctional orbital assets. The overall aim is recycling, partial and/ or complete re-use of assets in-space.
• Game- changing innovations and innovative space applications for protecting EU space infrastructure that focus on concepts that enable detection, identification and avoidance of natural and human-made hazards in space.

Breakthrough ideas and concepts proposed under this challenge should be designed and validated in a laboratory environment. They should address “old” debris and active debris removal (ADR) including end-of-life (EoL) disposal. The concepts may also include debris mitigation measures to be integrated into the design of spacecrafts and launchers.

Expected outcomes and impacts:

The portfolio building approach will select a group of projects in the scope of the above challenge objectives and develop:

• Technologies for space debris mitigation and remediation using very little propellant, that could be self-standing, in combination or in complementarity to other technologies to protect EU Space infrastructure.
• In-space Recycling & Re-use of orbital assets could research techniques or processes to generate basic materials and re-use components for structures and assets, thereby supporting the in-space assembly and manufacturing (ISAM) domain. This may lead to the development of innovative in-space services based on reusing of parts of orbital assets.
• Game- changing innovations and innovative space applications may result in, among others: 1) collision avoidance concepts providing accurate and timeliness detection and tracking of orbiting space objects, 2) innovations for space situational awareness (SSA), 3) development of algorithms and simulation tools for re-entry, close proximity operations, fragmentation and 4) innovative concepts for in-orbit spacecraft recognition and space debris detection;

This topic directly contributes to reinforcing the EU strategic autonomy and EU Space policy, notably regarding the EU Space Strategy for Security and Defence and the EU approach for Space Traffic Management. It will contribute to strengthening the European resilience by promoting a secure, sustainable and safe space domain.

Specific conditions

The submitted proposals must follow interdisciplinary and cross-sectorial approaches, looking for inspiration, ideas, and knowledge in a broad range of disciplines.

Applicants are encouraged to develop synergies with relevant activities under Horizon Europe Cluster 4 Work Programme 2021 – 2022 and Work Programme 2023 – 2024, destination Open Strategic Autonomy In Developing, Deploying And Using Global Space-Based Infrastructures, Services Applications And Data.