Call for Proposals: Innovative Deployable Antennas

Deployable antennas are a key element of satellites enabling them to receive and transmit data. They are relevant for all types of space applications such as navigation, Earth observation, science and defence.

The need for the space sector to rely on space qualified technology with high level of quality, reliability, robustness, suitability to space harsh environment demonstrated by in-orbit demonstration and validation presents a challenge for the availability of antennas, especially large deployable antennas with a diameter at or above 5 meters. Additionally, the launch and deployment of large structures in space presents further technological and cost challenges.

It is important to explore novel approaches that can reduce development, manufacturing, launch and deployment costs for such large antennas, as well as approaches that can allow in-orbit manufacturing, disassembly, re-use and recycling of parts from defunct satellites, overall contributing to a higher sustainability of space infrastructure. Emerging technologies and concepts linked to the deployment and assembly/disassembly of such structures in orbit, as well as the re-use of parts are key for the future.

Scope

• To tackle the expected outcomes mentioned, all the following R&I actions should be addressed in the proposals:
  • The development of novel ground manufacturing technologies for deployable antennas of larger diameters, at or above 5 meters, such as compatible low-cost and short manufacturing-time reflector moulds and novel materials and surfaces to ensure equivalent current performance or improved levels in terms of losses, depolarization, bandwidth, efficiency of reflector antennas
  • The identification and testing of methods to retrieve the useful materials or components from end-of-life antennas for reuse in the assembly or manufacturing of new hardware on orbit;
  • The definition of a holistic design concept for innovative deployable antennas that considers the integration of new manufacturing techniques and concepts that will allow in-orbit deployment, as well as disassembly, re-use and recycling of parts. This concept should be implemented in simulation and demonstrated in a small-scale laboratory environment (TRL4).
• Technologies under development in the above R&I should target the demonstration of TRL4.
• Proposals are expected to promote cooperation between different actors (industry, SMEs and research institutions) and consider opportunities to quickly turn technological innovation into commercial use in space.

Funding Information

• The total budget earmarked for this call for proposals is EUR 1 450 000.

Expected Outcomes

• The expected outcomes of this pilot project are the following:
  • Contribute to higher sustainability of space infrastructure by reinforcing the feasibility and potential of novel techniques linked to the in-orbit recycling of space assets
  • The identification of novel techniques for ground manufacturing of deployable antennas and the re-use parts/materials from end-of-life assets and antennas for further manufacturing/assembly in-orbit
  • Contribute to the elaboration of possible future use-cases for planned initiatives such as the In-Space Operations and Services (ISOS) Pilot Mission under the “Acting in Space” activities in Horizon Europe
  • Reduce the dependencies from non-EU countries for the critical space technologies relevant to reflectors and deployable antennas, accelerate time to market and increase EU sovereignty.

Eligibility Criteria

• Consortium composition
  • Only legal entities forming a consortium are eligible to participate in the action provided that the consortium includes, as beneficiaries, three legal entities independent from each other and each established in a different country as follows:
    • at least one independent legal entity established in a Member State;
    • and at least two other independent legal entities, each established in different EU Member States, Norway or Iceland.
• Additional Eligibility Requirements
  • In order to achieve the expected outcomes, and safeguard the Union’s strategic assets, interests, autonomy, or security, and in accordance with Article 197(3) Financial Regulation, this action is implemented with regard to the following eligibility and participation conditions:
    • the eligible legal entity is established in an EU Member State, Norway and Iceland and its executive management structures are established in that Member State and/or country;
    • the eligible legal entity commits to carry out all relevant activities in one or more EU Member States, Norway and Iceland; and
    • the eligible legal entity is not to be subject to control by a third country or by a third country entity.

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