Grants to strengthen Sustainability and Resilience of EU Space Infrastructure

Specific Objectives

The specific goals of this challenge are 1) development of technologies for space debris mitigation and active debris removal; 2) concepts for in-space recycling of dysfunctional orbital assets; 3) innovations for protecting EU space infrastructure.

The projects, supported under this challenge are expected to develop break-through concepts in one or more of the following areas:

• Game-changing technologies for controlled space debris mitigation (to reduce their generation) and active debris removal (by managing existing space debris, de-orbiting, relocation, etc.) including ones that prevent spacecraft system damage. This includes among others propellantless propulsion technologies such as space-based lasers, laser pushed lightsails, physical sweeper in orbit, laser electric propulsion, tethers or water propulsion for moving all sized debris
• In-space Recycling & Re-use of orbital assets- with a focus on recycling and re-using dysfunctional orbital assets. The overall aim is recycling, partial and/ or complete re-use of assets in-space.
• Game- changing innovations and innovative space applications for protecting EU space infrastructure that focus on concepts that enable detection, identification and avoidance of natural and human-made hazards in space.

Funding Information

• Grants size: €500000 to €4000000

Expected Outcomes and Impacts

• The portfolio building approach will select a group of projects in the scope of the above challenge objectives and develop:
  • Technologies for space debris mitigation and remediation using very little propellant, that could be self-standing, in combination or in complementarity to other technologies to protect EU Space infrastructure.
  • In-space Recycling & Re-use of orbital assets could research techniques or processes to generate basic materials and re-use components for structures and assets, thereby supporting the in-space assembly and manufacturing (ISAM) domain. This may lead to the development of innovative in-space services based on reusing of parts of orbital assets.
  • Game- changing innovations and innovative space applications may result in, among others: 1) collision avoidance concepts providing accurate and timeliness detection and tracking of orbiting space objects, 2) innovations for space situational awareness (SSA), 3) development of algorithms and simulation tools for re-entry, close proximity operations, fragmentation and 4) innovative concepts for in-orbit spacecraft recognition and space debris detection;
• This topic directly contributes to reinforcing the EU strategic autonomy and EU Space policy, notably regarding the EU Space Strategy for Security and Defence and the EU approach for Space Traffic Management. It will contribute to strengthening the European resilience by promoting a secure, sustainable and safe space domain.

Eligibility Criteria

• The EIC Pathfinder Challenges support collaborative or individual research and innovation from consortia or from single legal entities established in a Member State or an Associated Country. In case of a consortium your proposal must be submitted by the coordinator on behalf of the consortium. Consortia of two entities must be comprised of independent legal entities from two different Member States or Associated Countries. Consortia of three or more entities must include as beneficiaries at least three legal entities, independent from each other and each established in a different country as follows:
  • at least one legal entity established in a Member State; and
  • at least two other independent legal entities, each established in different Member States or Associated Countries.
• The legal entities may for example be universities, research organisations, SMEs, start-ups, natural persons. In the case of single beneficiary projects, mid-caps and larger companies will not be permitted.

For more information, visit European Commission.