ISOS Pilot Mission Detailed Design – Servicing component

The ISOS Pilot Mission Detailed Design grant opportunity under Horizon Europe (HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-21) focuses on the advancement of Europe's capabilities in in-space operations and services. This initiative aims to prepare for a pilot mission demonstrating in-space capabilities related to operations by 2030. The main objective is to support the development of a servicing component with robotic technologies that can perform tasks like inspection, upgrade, repair, and debris removal in space.

Eligible applicants include industries, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and research institutions from EU Member States and associated countries such as Norway and Iceland. The funding type is a grant, specifically classified as a Research and Innovation Action (RIA), with a total budget of €18 million allocated for possibly two projects, each receiving between €6 million and €12 million.

The grant process requires collaboration between multiple entities, emphasizing the importance of consortium formation that includes public-private partnerships. Geographic eligibility is restricted to legal entities established within EU Member States and associated countries, explicitly mentioning France, Germany, Luxembourg, Portugal, and Spain among others.

The project is currently in the development phase, necessitating the completion of the detailed design for the robotic servicing component. The application process is a single-stage open call, with a deadline set for September 25, 2025. While success rates for Horizon Europe projects typically range from 10 to 39%, specific rates for this grant are not explicitly stated.

Co-funding requirements are not clearly defined in the documentation but are generally expected in Horizon Europe grants. Selected projects will need to establish clear use cases and business models while contributing to broader objectives regarding sustainable and autonomous operational capabilities in space.

The nature of support is purely monetary, without additional non-financial services provided. Successful applicants will need to finalize their proposals in adherence to Horizon Europe’s guidelines, considering existing technologies and aligning their efforts with other projects within the ISOS ecosystem for optimal interoperability.

Overall, this grant aims to propel the EU into a competitive stance within the evolving in-space economy by fostering innovative solutions and enhancing resilience in space operations. The approach includes collaboration between stakeholders and prioritization of European technology to ensure strategic autonomy and sustainability in the space sector.

The EU funding opportunity is HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-21, titled "ISOS Pilot Mission Detailed Design Servicing component". It falls under the Horizon Europe (HORIZON) program, specifically the SPACE-HADEA (HORIZON-CL4-2025-02) call. The action type is HORIZON-RIA (Research and Innovation Actions), utilizing a HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based [HORIZON-AG] model grant agreement.

The call is currently open for submission with a single-stage deadline model. The opening date was May 22, 2025, and the deadline for submission is September 25, 2025, at 17:00:00 Brussels time.

The expected outcome of this topic is to develop capabilities to ‘Act in Space’ through demonstrating in space a pilot mission by 2030 related to In-Space Operations and Services (ISOS). The ISOS pilot mission aims to provide the necessary seed components for a future service infrastructure, available to the European in-space ecosystem (including EU assets), driving the generation of a new in-space economy, providing enhanced in-orbit technology demonstration and maximizing EU technology non-dependence.

This pilot mission is expected to contribute significantly to ensuring the EU's freedom of action in space, increasing the resilience and protection of EU assets, and fostering the development of a new in-space economy. The mission concept should be pioneering and novel, distinguishing it from other initiatives by space-faring nations. It will build upon previous Research and Innovation (R&I) efforts, focusing on application and service demonstration with a view to commercial and governmental usage. The detailed mission concept will be derived in close coordination with EU Member States and EEA countries through the ISOS Pilot Mission Advisory Group (PMAG).

This topic specifically addresses the finalization of the detailed design of the servicing component of the ISOS pilot mission, which should feature robotic capabilities. This servicing component, based on previous and ongoing R&I developments, could provide services such as inspection, upgrade, repair, life extension (including refueling), delivery and exchange of payload, reconfiguration, relocation, capture, and removal of assets in space.

Project results are expected to contribute to:

A sustainable, highly automated and digitalized, flexible, and economically viable space infrastructure, building on technologies and concepts for a circular economy in space, such as plug-and-play spacecraft functionality and recycling/re-use of spacecraft modules/functionalities.

ISOS Pilot mission preparation up to detailed mission and system design for the servicing component, along with the maturation of enabling technologies and innovative system and operational concepts.

Elaboration of interfaces between the different components of the mission, together with the other mission components (i.e., HOST, logistics, and satAPPs) and the ISOS Pilot Mission Coordination and Support Action (CSA).

Contribution to the ISOS Pilot Mission Objectives as provided in the technical annex.

Elaboration of clear use cases and relevant business models focusing on governmental and/or commercial needs.

Ensuring the availability of results to the next mission phases.

The scope of this topic includes the following R&I actions, taking into account the provided technical annex:

R&I to complete detailed mission and system design (including relevant key technology maturation) for the servicing component as part of the ISOS pilot mission. Projects should finalize the detailed design for this component, building on current or previous developments, and demonstrate the achievement of the required Technology Readiness Level (TRL) for all relevant technologies.

Contribution to the overall ISOS pilot mission detail design in close cooperation with the other mission components (including other servicing components), the ISOS Pilot Mission Coordination and Support Action, and the ISOS Pilot Mission Advisory Group.

R&I on related service capabilities and applications, including operational concepts for servicing individual or fleets of satellites based on the functionality of the pilot mission system design. A possible use case for servicing a real EU asset is expected to be developed up to the delivery of a concept of operations (CONOPS).

Projects are expected to ensure full compliance with the ISOS detailed pilot mission concept, including interoperability with other mission components, even if a standalone In-Orbit Demonstration (IOD) for the proposed servicing component materializes earlier than the ISOS pilot mission.

Proposals should promote cooperation between industry, SMEs, and research institutions, and consider opportunities to quickly turn technological innovation into commercial use in space, such as through on-ground or in-orbit demonstrations.

Proposals should present a concrete plan to ensure that required technologies reach the necessary TRL at the end of the project. Complementarities with previous and/or ongoing R&I for the proposed servicing component should be clearly described. Proposals should explore relevant and promising solutions developed in Horizon Europe, Horizon 2020, or other EU-funded activities, particularly the topics related to the Future Space Ecosystem and relevant projects funded by the European Space Agency (ESA) and/or national programmes. Proposals are also expected to consider the use of existing European technologies and/or building blocks, including at the component level, contributing to European non-dependence and strengthening competitiveness.

Proposals should consider and contribute to a balanced provision of Member States’ and eligible Associated Countries’ expertise and capabilities to the overall ISOS pilot mission, to support a successful introduction of the strategic capacity ‘Act in Space’ for the EU, its Member States, and other partners.

This topic contributes to the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) and addresses Space technologies falling under the sectors of “digital technologies” and “deep tech innovation”. It addresses objectives stated in the STEP Regulation, such as the development of critical technologies and safeguarding and strengthening their EU value chain, contributing to advancing digital capabilities in space and enhancing the sustainability and agility of the EU's space assets.

The integration of the gender dimension (sex and gender analysis) in research and innovation content should be addressed if relevant to the objectives of the research effort.

Selected projects are expected to collaborate with each other and with those selected under topics HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-22, 23, 24, and the ISOS Pilot Mission Coordination and Support Action. This collaboration aims to ensure interoperability, necessary documentation, information sharing, economies of scale, best practices, common processes, efficient monitoring and review, and organized dissemination and communication activities. A collaboration agreement will formalize this collaboration.

The admissibility conditions include a proposal page limit of 60 pages, as described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes. Proposal page limits and layout are described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.

Eligible countries are described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. Participation is limited to legal entities established in Member States and associated countries Norway and Iceland, to safeguard the Union’s strategic assets, interests, autonomy, or security. Entities controlled by non-eligible countries may participate only if they can demonstrate that their participation would not negatively impact the Union’s strategic assets, interests, autonomy, or security, through guarantees positively assessed by their eligible country of establishment.

If projects use satellite-based earth observation, positioning, navigation, and/or related timing data and services, beneficiaries must use Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS.

Financial and operational capacity and exclusion criteria are described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Eligible proposals exceeding all evaluation thresholds will be awarded a STEP Seal. Award criteria, scoring, and thresholds are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Submission and evaluation processes are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual. The indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement is also described in Annex F.

The legal and financial setup of the grants is described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes. Specific conditions are described in the specific topic of the Work Programme.

A Guidance Document for the EU ISOS Pilot Mission provides detailed information on the objectives, boundary conditions, and high-level requirements of the envisaged In-Space Operations and Services (ISOS) pilot mission.

Application and evaluation forms and the model grant agreement (MGA) are available in the Submission System. A compulsory questionnaire on the declaration of ownership and control must be filled by all project participants.

Additional documents include the HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 1. General Introduction, HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 7. Digital, Industry and Space, HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 14. General Annexes, the HE Programme Guide, HE Framework Programme 2021/695, HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764, EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509, the Decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme, Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment, EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement, the Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual, Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions, and the Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement.

The budget overview indicates that the total budget for this topic (HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-21) is 18,000,000 EUR, with an indicative number of 2 grants expected, ranging from 6,000,000 to 12,000,000 EUR.

There are 17 partner search announcements available for collaboration on this topic.

This funding opportunity aims to bolster the EU's capabilities in space operations and services by supporting the detailed design and development of a robotic servicing component for the ISOS pilot mission. The goal is to create a sustainable and innovative space infrastructure that promotes European autonomy, competitiveness, and a circular economy in space. The call encourages collaboration between various stakeholders and emphasizes the use of European technologies to achieve technological independence. Successful projects will contribute to the long-term vision of deploying global space-based services and enhancing the EU's role in the evolving space sector.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types include industry, SMEs, and research institutions. The call explicitly promotes cooperation between different actors, indicating that a variety of entities are welcome to apply. Legal entities established in Member States and associated countries: Norway and Iceland are eligible.

Funding Type: The funding type is primarily a grant, specifically a HORIZON Research and Innovation Action (HORIZON-RIA) and HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA) under the Horizon Europe program. The MGA is a HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based [HORIZON-AG].

Consortium Requirement: The call encourages cooperation between different actors, suggesting that a consortium is preferred, although not explicitly stated as mandatory.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is limited to legal entities established in EU Member States and the associated countries of Norway and Iceland.

Target Sector: The target sector is space, with a focus on digital technologies and deep tech innovation within the space sector. Specific areas include in-space operations and services, robotic capabilities, satellite servicing, and technologies for a circular economy in space.

Mentioned Countries: The countries explicitly mentioned are Norway and Iceland, as associated countries. The European Union, its Member States, and EEA countries are also referenced.

Project Stage: The project stage is focused on the finalization of the detailed design of the servicing component of the ISOS pilot mission, comparable to a mission design phase C according to ECSS-M-ST-10C. This suggests a development stage, moving towards validation and demonstration. Proposals should present a concrete plan to ensure that required technologies reach the necessary TRL at the end of the project.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic within the call, ranging from EUR 500,000 to EUR 18,000,000. For the specific topic HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-21, the budget is EUR 18,000,000, with contributions ranging from EUR 6,000,000 to EUR 12,000,000 and an indicative number of 2 grants.

Application Type: The application type is an open call with a single-stage submission process.

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a grant to support their research and innovation activities.

Application Stages: The application process involves a single stage.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned, but the indicative number of grants for each topic provides some insight into the expected competition level.

Co-funding Requirement: The information does not explicitly state a co-funding requirement.

Summary:

This Horizon Europe call, under the SPACE-HADEA program, focuses on the detailed design of the servicing component for the In-Space Operations and Services (ISOS) pilot mission. The ISOS mission aims to demonstrate in-space capabilities by 2030, fostering a new in-space economy and maximizing EU technology non-dependence. The call specifically targets the finalization of the detailed design of a robotic servicing component, which could provide services like inspection, upgrade, repair, refueling, and removal of space assets.

Eligible applicants are industry, SMEs, and research institutions from EU Member States, Norway, and Iceland. The funding mechanism is a grant, with projects expected to contribute to a sustainable, automated space infrastructure and elaborate on use cases and business models. The application process is a single-stage open call, requiring a 60-page proposal. Selected projects are expected to collaborate with other related projects to ensure interoperability and information sharing. The call contributes to the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) and addresses digital technologies and deep tech innovation in the space sector.