Access to space

Each proposal shall address only one of the following two sub-topics:

a) Innovative concepts for low cost launch system and services for mini-, micro-, nano-satellites and cubesats: with an aim at further increasing launch frequency and lowering launch costs including for those satellites with dedicated orbit requirements (e.g. precise orbital insertion for nano-cubesat satellites), for the worldwide commercial market,. They shall seek coherence and complementarity with on-going ESA initiatives. Proposals could include for instance, upper stage related technologies (e.g. disruptive technologies for upper stage low thrust / high Specific Impulse / green propellant engine, avionic miniaturisation, dispensers with advanced deployment capabilities) and the identification of advanced low cost materials.

b) Launch system advanced manufacturing (e.g. tooling and machines) and modern infrastructures (including ground infrastructures for low cost European launch sites for mini, micro nano satellite launch system): Activities shall address manufacturing technologies and processes such as integrated supply chain, integrated European manufacturing flow (global use of digital mock-up within extended enterprise), digitalisation standardisation applied to space (space related data exchange, harmonisation of process, cloud centric exchange of data), remote control capacities useful to all European actors (satellites industrialists, launch pads, rocket propulsion test centres and launcher industrialists) and competences capitalization in support of digital training (shared space curricula supported by numeric know-how capture) as well as advanced assembly, integration and testing, including small, mini, micro satellite launch systems.

The proposed solutions to be considered will take into account relevant regulatory frameworks, in particular REACH, and will also take into account the environmental impacts and health risks.