Space-based ISR constellation

The European Defence Fund (EDF) has launched a call for proposals titled EDF-2025-DA, with a focus on developing a space-based Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) constellation. The initiative aims to enhance European defense capabilities by fostering collaboration among entities in EU Member States and EDF Associated Countries. The total funding available for this call is €66 million, and applications are open for submissions until October 16, 2025, at 17:00 Brussels time. Eligible applicants must form a consortium, which should consist of at least two legal entities from different EU Member States or EDF Associated Countries. The targeted sectors involve defense and space technology, particularly related to ISR systems, satellite constellations, and interoperability within command and control systems. The project is at the development stage, requiring proposals that include feasibility studies, design, prototyping, testing, and qualification of associated technologies. The funding model will provide grants covering up to 80% of eligible costs, with a co-funding requirement suggesting applicants must cover at least 20-35% of project expenses. The primary goal of this grant is to establish a Federated Layer for access to a low-latency constellation of multi-sensor small satellites, ultimately improving reactivity and operational support. Proposals should define the overall architecture of the constellation, including satellite specifications and performance metrics, while integrating existing national capabilities. Proposals must address technical maturity, expected to begin at a Preliminary Design Review (PDR) stage, and should detail the development of both space and ground segments. Key challenges include ensuring the affordability and functionality of small satellites, creating efficient data management systems, and ensuring compliance with security requirements. The application process is single-stage, with mandatory activities such as completion of the detailed design definitions and demonstrator prototypes for the Federation Layer. While specific success rates for funding applications are not provided, collaboration among various stakeholders is emphasized as essential. In summary, this EDF call aims to develop a shared European SBISR capability through a budget of €66 million, promoting initiatives that would significantly enhance the tactical capabilities of European stakeholders by providing timely ISR information via an integrated satellite network. Collaborative proposals are encouraged, outlining innovative solutions to meet defense demands while addressing financial and operational feasibility.

The European Defence Fund (EDF) is offering a call for proposals, EDF-2025-DA, focused on developing a Space-based ISR (SBISR) constellation. This call falls under the Development Actions implemented via actual cost grants (EDF-2025-DA). The type of action is EDF-DA EDF Development Actions, utilizing an EDF Action Grant Budget-Based [EDF-AG] Model Grant Agreement. The call is currently open for submission with a single-stage deadline model. The opening date was February 18, 2025, and the deadline for submission is October 16, 2025, at 17:00:00 Brussels time. The total budget allocated to this topic is €66,000,000.

The expected impact of this initiative is to significantly enhance the tactical capabilities of European stakeholders during crises by improving reactivity, adding value to collected information, enabling multi-user and federated access, and ensuring a continuous and sustainable information flow through affordable space-based solutions. The proposed solutions should involve a constellation of small satellites that allows resource sharing among Member States, EDF Associated Countries, and other users. The development plan should facilitate timely shared or joint procurement and in-service support, while maintaining a sufficient level of sovereignty.

The objective of this call is to develop European SBISR capabilities through three main pillars: 1) a Federation Layer for access, 2) a low-latency constellation of multi-sensor small satellites, and 3) access to existing and developing national capabilities. This initiative aims to create a future operational European Earth observation defence capability for ISR applications.

Specific objectives include:

Defining and developing the overall architecture of the constellation, including satellite types, orbits, performance, revisit times, and ground segment(s) with emphasis on responsiveness and affordability.

Identifying complementarity with ongoing activities at EU, national, or multinational levels.

Developing or integrating components such as sensors, platforms, ground segments, and security subsystems to meet the needs of EU Member States and EDF Associated Countries.

Developing interfaces and demonstrating the Federation Layer in terms of functionality and security.

Facilitating the use of existing and developing national capabilities to demonstrate and test an initial ISR capability.

A key challenge is achieving high-performance payloads compatible with small satellites to create an affordable and sustainable constellation. Proposals should focus on cost-effectiveness in terms of non-recurring, recurring, operational, and maintenance costs. The architecture should be modular and scalable to accommodate increases in satellite numbers or users. Applicants must also address the adaptability of the proposed solution to various forms of cooperation, ensuring compatibility with different governance models and data policies for end-users and co-financers. This includes defining rules for tasking prioritization, data management, processing, and dissemination.

The scope of proposals must cover the development of the overall system, including both space and ground segments, with specific attention to:

System-level aspects:

Deepening the concept of operations (CONOPS) for the capability, including the functionality and security of the Federation Layer.

Advanced design of the overall system architecture, including orbit selection, sensors, inter-satellite links (ISL), data relay satellites, ground stations, and data management.

Detailed definition of minimum-security common requirements and their impact on technical solutions and costs.

Development plans for the new constellation, including de-risking activities and technological roadmaps, considering various options for each system component.

Development plans for using existing and planned systems to complement the constellation.

Cost and cost-benefit analysis, including launch costs and overall operation and maintenance estimates.

Space segment level:

Development up to TRL 6 for selected payloads, identifying suitable EU satellite platforms to host them. Proposals must specify the starting and ending TRL for each payload type and the target satellite platforms.

If justified, planning, implementation, and in-orbit demonstration and validation of payloads or technologies. The EU contribution should not cover launch and deployment costs.

Planning the implementation and launch of a first batch of satellites to demonstrate architectural solutions, test constellation management, and deliver an initial federated ISR capability. The EU contribution should not cover launch and deployment costs.

Ground segment level:

Consolidation of the performance of each control and mission ground segment and associated operational costs.

Detailed design and development of interoperable ground segments’ prototypes for multi-mission applications, federated through the Federation Layer.

Development of a Federation Layer prototype (minimum TRL 6) to offer multi-mission tools and handle harmonized and anonymized requests for data acquisition, processing, and dissemination.

Testing of the Federation Layer prototype using satellite sensor prototypes and/or other relevant sources.

The following types of activities are eligible:

Studies, such as feasibility studies (mandatory).

Design of a defence product, tangible or intangible component or technology, including partial tests for risk reduction (mandatory).

System prototyping of a defence product, tangible or intangible component or technology (mandatory).

Testing of a defence product, tangible or intangible component or technology (mandatory).

Activities that aim to increase interoperability and resilience (optional).

Qualification of a defence product, tangible or intangible component or technology (optional).

Certification of a defence product, tangible or intangible component or technology (optional).

Development of technologies or assets increasing efficiency across the life cycle of defence products and technologies (optional).

The technical maturity at the beginning of the action is expected to be at a Preliminary Design Review (PDR) level for the system of systems and each elementary system, and a minimum of PDR level for new sensor payloads.

Mandatory activities include:

Studies:

Consolidation and optimization of the CONOPS.

Consolidation and optimization of the deployment strategy.

Update of technical and programmatic documentation from the PDR.

Issue of a preliminary user manual of the Federation Layer.

Production of technical documentation for security accreditation.

Design:

Completion of the detailed design definition of the system at all levels.

Production, development, testing, and pre-qualification of selected critical elements and components.

Detailed definition of internal and external interfaces.

Demonstration (to reach at least TRL6) of new sensor payloads.

Achievement of the Critical Design Review and Qualification Review for sensors targeting launch during the action.

Prototyping:

Development of an operational demonstrator of the Federation Layer.

Development of prototypes of new sensor payloads as required for demonstration of at least TRL6.

Production of a first batch of satellites ready for launch for sensors targeting launch during the action.

Testing:

Test of the demonstrator of the federation layer, with at least two types of sensor systems and at least three end-users.

Environment testing of new sensor payloads.

Test and validation of all satellite and ground critical interfaces.

The suggested system should be mature enough at the end of the action to allow for decision-making regarding procurement and start of initial operational capability. Proposals must substantiate synergies and complementarity with other Earth observation and ISR activities, including those described in call topic EDF-2022-DA-SPACE-ISR and those performed within the EU Space programme.

Functional requirements for the developed capability include:

High revisit:Scalable solution for intra-hour revisit times for some use cases.

Affordable very high spatial resolution:Resolution below €0.5 Mwith small satellites.

Operational timeliness improvement:Dynamic re-tasking, automatic tipping and cueing, reduced downlink latency.

Highly digital architecture:Autonomous extraction of actionable information and automatic tasking.

Space-to-ground efficiency:High data rate downlink and optimized downlink efficiency.

New space imagery and passive RF monitoring applications:New sensors, processes, and processing compatible with small satellites.

Big data analysis:System to support Big Data management for high-speed analysis and streaming of multi-sensor data.

Interoperability:System inter-operable with external systems.

Security requirements:System that addresses integrity, confidentiality, and availability.

Space debris:Structural design and end-of-life activities compliant with space law and space-debris mitigation measures.

The submission session is now available. The deadline for submission is October 16, 2025.

The call provides a list of documents and annexes, including the call document, application form templates, model grant agreements, and additional documents such as the EDF Annual Work Programme and relevant EU regulations.

There are 31 partner search announcements available for collaboration on this topic.

For help related to this call, applicants can contact DEFIS-EDF-PROPOSALS@ec.europa.eu. Additional resources include the Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ, EDF Info-days 2025, and the IT Helpdesk.

In summary, this European Defence Fund call aims to foster the development of a European Space-based ISR capability by funding projects that create an affordable and responsive constellation of small satellites. This constellation will enhance the EU's defence capabilities by providing timely and high-quality intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance data, complementing existing high-end military assets. The projects should focus on developing the space segment, ground segment, and a Federation Layer to ensure interoperability and efficient data management. The call encourages collaboration among EU Member States and associated countries, promoting shared procurement and in-service support while preserving sovereignty. The ultimate goal is to pave the way for a future operational European Earth observation defence capability for ISR applications.

Eligible Applicant Types:The eligible applicant types are industries, EU Member States, and EDF Associated Countries. The call specifically mentions industry should propose a development. It also mentions EU Member States and EDF Associated Countries operate SBISR systems and should be federated around a shared capability.

Funding Type:The funding type is a grant, specifically development actions implemented via actual cost grants (EDF-2025-DA). The type of MGA is EDF Action Grant Budget-Based [EDF-AG].

Consortium Requirement:The opportunity requires a consortium. The nature of the solution involves sharing resources between Member States and Associated Countries, interoperable ground segments, and federated access, implying multiple entities are needed.

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

Target Sector:The target sector is defence, specifically space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (SBISR) capabilities. This includes earth observation, space, security, and related technologies.

Mentioned Countries:EU Member States, EDF Associated Countries, and Norway are mentioned.

Project Stage:The project stage is development, with a technical maturity at the beginning of the action assumed to be at a Preliminary Design Review (PDR) level for the system of systems. The goal is to reach a stage mature enough to allow for decision-making regarding procurement and start of initial operational capability.

Funding Amount:The funding amount for the EDF-2025-DA topic is €66,000,000.

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

Nature of Support:The beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a grant.

Application Stages:The application process involves a single stage.

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

Co-funding Requirement:The text mentions a co-financing declaration, suggesting that co-funding from the applicant or other parties may be required.

Summary:

This European Defence Fund (EDF) call, titled "Space-based ISR constellation," aims to bolster the tactical capabilities of European stakeholders by developing an affordable and responsive Space-based Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (SBISR) system. The call, with a budget of €66 million, seeks to foster collaboration between EU Member States and EDF Associated Countries to create a constellation of small satellites equipped with innovative sensor payloads.

The core objective is to develop European SBISR capabilities through three key pillars:establishing a Federation Layer for access, developing a low-latency constellation of multi-sensor small satellites, and integrating existing national capabilities. The proposed solutions should enhance reactivity, data diversity, and the ability to provide near real-time operational and tactical support.

Eligible activities encompass feasibility studies, design, system prototyping, testing, and qualification of defence products and technologies. The technical maturity level at the start of the action is expected to be at the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) stage. Proposals must cover the development of both the space and ground segments, including defining the overall architecture, developing or integrating components, demonstrating the Federation Layer, and facilitating the use of existing national capabilities.

The call emphasizes functional requirements such as high revisit rates, affordable high spatial resolution, improved operational timeliness, highly digital architecture, space-to-ground efficiency, new space imagery and passive RF monitoring applications, big data analysis capabilities, interoperability, and security.

The application process involves a single stage, with the deadline for submissions on October 16, 2025. Applicants are expected to form consortia and may include industries, EU Member States, and EDF Associated Countries. While co-funding may be required, the specific details are to be outlined in the co-financing declaration.

In essence, this call seeks to develop a shared and sustainable European SBISR capability that complements existing high-end military assets, enhances responsiveness, and provides affordable solutions for gathering information via space-based assets.