The topic “SST Networking, Security & Data sharing” aims to support the upgrade, development and security issues of EUSST infrastructure based on the European network of assets (sensors, operation centres, front desk …)

(to be developed)

-SST networking of sensors & operation centres (EU SST network Command & Control)
-Research on EUSST network hardening against external threats

Based on the principle that any component used to generate, store, transmit, receive, decode, or use quantum information is considered a critical component, the scope of this topic covers all the critical hardware and software components necessary for the quantum key distribution function to be implemented via a satellite payload, as well as the corresponding optical ground station.

-Development of critical components and technologies necessary to build a space quantum key distribution system
-Address the issue of standardisation for QKD space systems
-Propose and implement the development of international space QKD standards in existing standardisation bodies working groups
-Propose and implement the creation of new standardisation activities through the creation of additional working groups

-Supporting the EU space policy and the EU initiative to establish the Union Secure Connectivity Programme and foster the development of ultra-secure EU services based on or using space systems
-Ensuring the EU sovereignty and non-dependence for the development of capacities leading to the availability of ultra-secure services based on QKD
-Enhancing the TRL of the critical components necessary to build QKD space systems and foster the development of the associated QKD standards.

The expected outcomes of this topic will enable flexible satellite Earth-observation end-to-end systems as a strong subject to answer the new trends of a very dynamic market environment with high potential.

Address one area of R&I:
– R&I on end-to-end systems (enhanced end-to-end system autonomy or accelerating AIT processes for small/medium series production)
– R&I on observation payload, addressing technologies and concepts for detectors and sensors, radar and optical (including IR/night capabilities)
– R&I on scalable, automatable, flexible and resilient multi-mission solutions for ground segment

-Achieve and maintain the worldwide leadership for Earth Observation system
-Contribute to EU non-dependence for the development of Earth-observation technologies
-Contribute to making EU a net-zero emitter of greenhouse gases (European Green Deal)

New and shared mobility services have shown that they have the potential to meet urban dweller’s needs while at the same time bring about a more rational use of cars. However, in order to succeed at delivering ‘’Mobility As a Service’’ and address the challenges that cities face, high-quality, user centric, and reliable new mobility solutions need to be offered as a credible alternative to the private car, coupled with safe and integrated infrastructure.

New solutions should be explored and deployed for newly designed or existing transport infrastructure to accommodate new and shared mobility services. Mobility services that could be considered are, for example: micro mobility, including bike/scooter sharing, demand responsive transport, carpooling or car sharing. The services deployed should enable the idea of a social optimum in mobility from several perspectives (including socio-economic, environmental, health, accessibility; gender and inclusion; and safety and security aspects) while considering the implications for transport infrastructure and urban design.

– Congestion and air pollution reduction, reduced road risk, social inclusion, accessibility in each city
– New and shared mobility services
– Designing transport infrastructure
– Policy research

Cost reduction and improving flexibility of European launch systems are the main challenges in order to foster European industry competitiveness on the global market.

-Multi-site flexible industrial platform
-Develop standardised and cost-effective innovative technologies to improve cost efficiency of Test and Launch facilities

-Reduce launch cost/price by 50% by 2030 -Contribute to the expansion of commercial space transportation -Improve cost efficiency of European test, production and space launch facilities -Standardise technology for improving cost efficiency

Exploitation of all acquired and available data provided by space missions in their operative, post-operative or data exploitation phase ensuring complementarity with activities already supported by ESA or national agencies during development phases. Given the continuously increasing complexity and volume of these data, this requires innovative data processing technologies (e.g. machine learning, inversion techniques,…), “time series” analysis (which is already common in Earth and Climate Science), joint processing of various (space and ground) data, novel data (re)presentation and visualization assets, as well as sophisticated end-to-end simulations.

-Increasing scientific returns by combining and correlating ESA Space Science Archives data with other means (e.g. instrumentation teams)
-Encouraging international cooperation in particular with countries active in space exploration and space science

-Supporting the data exploitation of European missions and instruments, in conjunction, when relevant, with international missions.
-Producing a higher number of scientific publications based on Europe’s space data, high-level data products made available through appropriate archives, and tools and methods developed for the advanced processing of data.
-Increasing collaboration of scientific teams both within and outside Europe across different domains.
-Strengthening European scientific excellence and support the development of leading edge scientific research in Europe

The final objective of this call is to prepare the next phases of the implementation of a Quantum Space Gravimetry pathfinder mission. To achieve this objective, one proposal for a phase B study, as specified in ECSS‐M‐ST‐10C, leading to a preliminary definition of a quantum space gravimetry pathfinder mission, will be selected.

-Covering both quantum space gravimetry payload and satellite platforms
-Implementation of measures that will enhance technological readiness of the critical components leading to TRL 6/7 at the end of the project

-Support the EU space policy and the green deal by providing the detailed definition of a quantum space gravimetry pathfinder mission
-Ensure EU sovereignty and non-dependence for the development of capacities leading to the availability of quantum space gravimetry
-Enhance the TRL of the critical components necessary to build quantum gravimetry for space

The propulsion systems represent a significant part of launch system costs. It is necessary to mature new or optimised low cost effective, high performance and green propulsion concepts, technologies and propellants for high thrust engines

-Low cost propulsion
-Throttability
-Reduced number of parts with extensive application of Additive manufacturing, or new composite technologies
-Maintenance/overhaul
-Associated fluidics

-Contribution to the overarching objective of launch cost/price reduction by 50% by 2030
-Innovation acceleration of enabling technologies
-Identification of mature technologies at TRL 3-4 for cost-reduction possibilities in the current European launchers
-Matured technologies up to TRL 5-6 by 2023/24, prototyping and on ground tests at engine subsystem and system level by 2025/26
-Cost reduction investigation and demonstration

Standardization and certification for the use of GNSS in regulated markets is a costly and time-consuming process. The topic aims to gaps in mature, regulated and long lead markets and deliver concrete pathways to standardization and certification towards broader EGNSS adoption.

-Closing the related standardization and certification gaps for rail safety critical applications that support the rail network efficiency and cost reduction, converging towards a pan-European EGNSS-based solution adoption, within the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) evolution or adoption within railway lines that do not require a full interoperability with ERTMS.
-EGNSS-supported safe and efficient operations in coastal areas, maritime (including for energy production e.g. off-shore wind farms), inland waterways, fisheries and aquaculture
-Addressing potential standardization and certification bottlenecks for the use of EGNSS for road and automotive market safety-related applications in scenarios of potential harm to humans or damage to a system/environment
-Applications for the aviation market that require further consolidation include aircraft operations and planning for more efficient and green operations supported by EGNSS and its differentiators

-Broaden the reach of EGNSS, by supporting its adoption in mature, regulated long lead markets, including rail, maritime inland waterways, fisheries and aquaculture, road and automotive, aviation
-Development of industry-accepted certification and standardization schemes that exploit the use of EGNSS and its differentiators for operational services.

This action should be an application-oriented initiative, aimed at promoting existing European showcases developed under relevant H2020 projects and initiatives (such as e-shape) and scaling them up to deliver ready-to-market services relying on existing strengths in Europe in co-design with end-users and customers.

-Promoting collaboration amongst GEO members and participating organizations within the European region
-Scaling up and developing a comprehensive suite of products, services or solutions delivering economic, social and policy value to European citizens
-Delivering usable results for coordinating and prioritizing technical/scientific developments and evolution of Earth Observation and Copernicus

-Better informed policy formulation for the Zero Pollution Action Plan in the domains of air, water or soil pollution
-Support to the development of the European service sector regarding end-user climate services related to the European Green Deal thematic areas
-Establishment of a comprehensive and coordinated suite of services to deliver economic, social and policy value to European citizens
-Strengthening links between GEOSS and Copernicus
-Advancements of the GEO/EuroGEO Digital Ecosystem
-Exploitation of the large/established European cloud systems