On-orbit operations and services

The EDF-2025-DA grant under the European Defence Fund focuses on enhancing defence-related space technologies, particularly on-orbit operations and services. Eligible applicants must form consortia comprising at least two independent legal entities from different EU Member States or EDF Associated Countries, including SMEs, large enterprises, research institutes, and universities. The funding type for this grant is actual costs grants, aimed at covering expenses directly associated with project implementation. The total budget for this grant topic is €49 million, with individual proposals capped at €9.8 million. The grant follows a single-stage open call application process, and submissions must be made by October 16, 2025. The geographical eligibility is primarily limited to EU Member States and EDF Associated Countries, with a focus on advancing capabilities in the defence and space technology sectors. The project stage emphasizes development actions, such as feasibility studies, design, prototyping, and testing of technologies relating to military applications in space. Successful projects are expected to contribute to the development of dual-use space technologies ready for Initial Operational Demonstration and Initial Operational Validation. Proposals must include a comprehensive technical feasibility analysis and demonstrate synergies with existing EU-funded civilian space initiatives. Mandatory activities include concept development, technical feasibility assessments, and technology readiness level maturation. While specifics regarding co-funding requirements are not explicitly stated, co-financing is generally expected in EDF grants. The anticipated success rate for proposals is typically in the range of 10 to 39%, reflecting the competitive nature of the funding call. Overall, this grant aims to bolster the EU's strategic autonomy in space by funding collaborative research and development for on-orbit operations, addressing the needs of defence applications while synergizing with civilian space programs. The initiative emphasizes the importance of developing resilient and secure systems that can operate effectively in contested environments.

This is a call for proposals under the European Defence Fund (EDF) focusing on On-orbit operations and services, specifically topic EDF-2025-DA. The call aims to develop a 'dual-use by-design' demonstrator of space systems, subsystems, and related key technologies for defense needs, ready for In-Orbit Demonstration/In-Orbit Validation (IOD/IOV). The demonstrator should be designed to be operated by defense users through their military Command and Control (C2) ground segments, enabling on-orbit operations and services on their satellites.

The total budget for this topic is €49 million. The call is a single-stage submission process, with the opening date on February 18, 2025, and a deadline of October 16, 2025, at 17:00 Brussels time.

The expected impact of the projects should contribute to:paving the way for future European on-orbit operations and services for security and defense satellites, enhancing the ability of EU member states and associated countries to operate in space, and optimizing investment by leveraging synergies with civilian Research and Innovation in in-space operations and services.

The scope of the proposals should include:a detailed technical feasibility analysis of space missions for space-to-space operations for defense applications, technology roadmaps and Technology Readiness Level (TRL) maturation for critical technologies, and development of a launch-ready demonstrator. Synergies with other EU-funded programs, especially those in civil space, should be substantiated to avoid duplication and highlight cost benefits.

The defense needs and associated Concepts of Operations (CONOPS) to be considered include:space-based support for space operation centers in identifying in-orbit unfriendly behaviors, Rendez-vous Proximity Operations (RPO), docking and berthing for cooperative and non-cooperative Resident Space Objects (RSO) for de-orbiting or servicing, and the ability of the servicer to perform multi-purpose operations with an advanced robotic arm and manipulator.

Eligible activities for this topic include:studies such as feasibility studies, design of a defense product or technology, system prototyping, testing, qualification, certification, and development of technologies increasing efficiency across the life cycle of defense products and technologies. Activities that aim to create, underpin and improve knowledge, products and technologies, including disruptive technologies, which can achieve significant effects in the area of defence (generating knowledge) are not eligible.

Mandatory activities for proposals include:CONOPS and technical feasibility analysis for on-orbit operations and services, analysis of potential synergies with civil sector activities, system and subsystem mission design, payloads/sensors/technologies and interfaces design, ground systems design for Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing, definition of technology roadmaps and TRL maturation, and development of technological demonstrators ready for IOD/IOV.

Optional activities include:development of a demonstrator of a Space Defence Operations lab to simulate the end-to-end system architecture for all defense missions.

The capability to be developed should meet functional requirements such as:performing in-orbit operations and services on military-class satellites, performing RPOs and at least two of assembly, repairing, integration and refuelling operations, handling an inertia of an object whose mass is at least 1500 kg, having at least one robotic arm with 7 degrees of freedom, including a tool exchanger device, managing contact operations with impedance control, having a robotic re-fuelling interface, having a muti-spectral system, having electronic subsystems suitable for GEO/MEO/LEO missions, being cyber-resilient, ensuring the complete reliability of orbital operations, including key management and security accreditation, including communication and transmission security, complying with space security requirements, regulations and certifications, being flexible and adaptable to cope with RSO rotations or manoeuvres, relying on complementary high-resolution sensors, optimizing the on-board processing computation power, operating and manoeuvre autonomously without receiving feedback from C2 mission ground station during proximity operations, offering stable capturing systems and AOCS/propulsion take-over subsystem, retrieving and service a variety of target RSOs, using AI algorithms to perform autonomous missions, using improved accuracy navigation filters, and having advanced detection systems.

The call provides a list of conditions related to admissibility, eligible countries, financial and operational capacity, evaluation and award processes, and legal and financial setup. It also lists the call documents and annexes, including application form templates, model grant agreements, and additional documents such as the EDF Annual Work Programme and relevant EU regulations.

This funding opportunity aims to bolster European defense capabilities in space by fostering the development and demonstration of technologies for on-orbit servicing and operations. It seeks to bridge the gap in available assets for space domain awareness and satellite maintenance, repair, and deorbiting. By encouraging collaboration between defense and civilian sectors, the EDF aims to create cost-effective, dual-use solutions that enhance the security and resilience of European space assets. The call emphasizes the importance of technical feasibility, synergy with existing EU initiatives, and the development of demonstrators that can be readily integrated into military command and control systems. Ultimately, this initiative seeks to equip EU member states with the tools necessary to safeguard their space-based infrastructure and maintain a competitive edge in the evolving space environment.

Eligible Applicant Types:The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated, but based on the context, they likely include entities from EU Member States and EDF Associated Countries. These could be a mix of companies (including SMEs and large enterprises), research organizations, universities, and other relevant organizations involved in the defense and space sectors. The focus is on those who can contribute to the development and demonstration of space systems and technologies for defense applications.

Funding Type:The primary financial mechanism is a grant, specifically an EDF Development Action (EDF-DA) implemented via actual cost grants. The type of Model Grant Agreement (MGA) is EDF Action Grant Budget-Based [EDF-AG].

Consortium Requirement:While not explicitly stated, the nature of the project, particularly the need for diverse expertise and the development of complex systems, suggests that a consortium is highly preferred, if not required. The documents mention "consortium agreement" which is obligatory in EDF Grants. Partner search announcements are also present, further indicating that collaboration is expected.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility):The geographic eligibility includes EU Member States and EDF Associated Countries.

Target Sector:The program targets the space and defense sectors, specifically focusing on on-orbit operations and services, space domain awareness, and the development of dual-use space technologies. Key areas include space systems, sub-systems, robotics, sensors, and ground control systems for military satellite servicing and operations.

Mentioned Countries:EU Member States, EDF Associated Countries, Norway, Ukraine.

Project Stage:The project stage is focused on development and demonstration, specifically targeting technology readiness level (TRL) 6, which is ready for Initial Operational Demonstration (IOD) and Initial Operational Validation (IOV). The goal is to develop technological and capability demonstrators of systems or sub-systems.

Funding Amount:The budget for the topic EDF-2025-DA is €49,000,000.

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

Nature of Support:Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a grant to fund their research, development, and demonstration activities.

Application Stages:The application process is a single-stage process.

Success Rates:The success rates are not explicitly mentioned in the provided text.

Co-funding Requirement:Co-financing may be required, as indicated by the presence of a "Cofinancing declaration (EDF DA, DA LS AND ASAP)" among the application form templates.

Summary:This European Defence Fund (EDF) call focuses on developing a dual-use demonstrator for space systems that can perform on-orbit operations and services for defense applications. The goal is to enhance the EU's capabilities in space domain awareness and to protect and maintain military satellites. The call encourages proposals that build upon existing civilian space technologies and adapt them for defense purposes. Eligible applicants from EU Member States and EDF Associated Countries are expected to form consortia to conduct feasibility studies, design systems, and develop technological demonstrators at TRL 6. Mandatory activities include CONOPS development, technical feasibility analysis, system and subsystem design, and technology roadmap creation. Optional activities include developing a Space Defence Operations lab for simulating defense missions. The call emphasizes the importance of synergies with other EU-funded space initiatives and the need for cyber-resilient and secure systems. The total budget for this specific topic is €49 million, and the application deadline is October 16, 2025.