FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

Our society, economy, security and sovereignty are increasingly dependent on digital infrastructures and more specifically on communication networks: any lack of coverage in some areas or loss of availability due to accidental or intentional disruption may have widespread impact and very negative consequences. 

Hence, specific governmental attention is required to those communication services and networks that are essential for institutional services (at national, regional or local levels) and support operations that are deemed critical in fields as various as transport, finance, health, energy production and distribution, public safety, etc. Governmental actions include setting pro-active public policies, imposing strict regulations on these services and the infrastructure that supports them and to carefully check their application through various mechanisms such as service certification or operational oversight by dedicated governmental bodies (agencies, …).

These institutional and public-regulated needs are addressed by the new ESA ARTES 4.0 Space System for Safety and Security (4S) Strategic Programme Line. Within 4S, ESA wants to support and promote in particular the development of innovative downstream services enabled by space technologies addressing these needs, both today and tomorrow based on next generation SATCOM infrastructure that may be deployed over the next decade. Primarily focus is on secure Satellite communications, but combination and integration with other space assets such as Satellite Navigation and Satellite Earth Observation are also targeted.

SCOPE OF THE ACTIVITIES

Tenderers are invited to propose Feasibility Studies and Demonstration Projects dedicated to assess, develop and demonstrate space-based solutions and business models for innovative, economically sustainable downstream services addressing global security and safety needs.

Feasibility Studies provide the preparatory framework to assess and define new potentially sustainable applications and services.

Demonstration Projects are dedicated to the implementation and pilot of pre-operational demonstration services with the involvement and contribution of users.

Areas of applications include (but not limited to):

• Transport (maritime, aviation, rail, road – manned & unmanned)
• Essential Services and Critical infrastructures (utilities, finance, health system, logistics)
• Public Safety (emergency services, fire brigade, law enforcement, civil protection)

VALUE OF SPACE FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY

Satellite Communications (SatCom):

• Securely connect remote places w/o terrestrial communications
• Operate as back-up of terrestrial communications systems
• Enable M2M in remote areas

Satellite Earth Observation (SatEO):

• Provides imagery enabling mapping, ground assets monitoring, situational awareness, etc.
• Allows monitoring of environmental impacts of critical infrastructures and detect risks (e.g. natural hazards, subsidence)

Satellite Navigation (SatNav):

• Provides accurate Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT)
• Allows track and trace of vehicles, people and assets
• Allows navigation of autonomous vehicles

Although the emphasis is on the use of secure satellite telecommunications, use of other space based technologies (such as Satellite Earth Observation data, Satellite Navigation), and integration with other non-space technologies (such as IoT, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence – AI, etc.) is encouraged.

WHAT WE OFFER

We offer funding and support to companies, both for business case assessment and for the development of new, space-based 4S services. Our offer includes:

• Technical & commercial guidance
• Access to our network and partners
• Use of the ESA brand for your service
• Zero-equity funding

ESA will bear up to 50% of the eligible total project costs. The remainder has to be financed by the Tenderer through private sector directly and/or indirectly via co-funding and/or by the users based on terms and conditions to be agreed upon.

Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises activities can be funded up to 80% by the Agency, depending on the funding level authorised by the related National Delegation(s).

For activities related to technology/product development, different funding levels may apply.

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

We look for teams that have identified an attractive market opportunity with real potential to engage customers. Motivation, business experience and domain expertise are all important features. We want to hear about your innovative ideas that involve utilisation of either space technology or space data for sustainable services addressing institutional and public-regulated safety and security needs.

For 4S activities, companies registered in the following Member States will be eligible to apply: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxemburg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom

The applicable funding level of the individual prime - or subcontractors is subject to authorisation by the involved National Delegation(s). Therefore, bidding teams are requested to obtain a Letter of Authorisation from all the respective national delegations before submitting the Proposal.

ESA TENDER INFORMATION

Tenderers are invited to propose 4S Feasibility Studies and Demonstration Projects via the Call for Proposals for Downstream Applications in ARTES 4.0 (AO 10494).

For information on how to apply, please visit this page.

WEBINAR

• A webinar took place on 30 November 2020, please see the slides here.

esa-star reference links: 918 & 919
 

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

Over the years, private initiatives led by new or established actors and aimed at developing end-to-end communication services addressing specific needs of institutional actors or regulated economic sectors have emerged in Europe and Canada.

Examples of targeted missions and systems include (but are not limited to): 

• AERO C-band system for aviation regulated (safety) cockpit and command/control communications.
• Aeronautical surveillance mission based on, for example, Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B), possibly combined with very high frequency (VHF) communications as a key enabler for aviation safety.
• Ultra high frequency (UHF) communications system for governmental applications (e.g. public safety, crisis management).
• Automatic Identification System (AIS) maritime surveillance or VHF Data Exchange System (VDES) connectivity as a key enabler for maritime safety and maritime domain awareness.
• Radio frequency (RF) signal or spectrum monitoring services for wireless telecommunications infrastructure protection.
• RF signals, including those from maritime VHF transceivers, personal transceivers, satellite phones, maritime and airplane radars, Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) electromagnetic interferences, emergency beacons, ADS-B signals, as well as detection and characterisation services for maritime and aviation safety, law enforcement, humanitarian or disaster relief.
• Terrestrial Network (TN) and Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) connectivity solutions for automotive mobility safety use cases, such as e-call, road safety, safety-related traffic efficiency, advanced safety for automated driving.
• Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity systems for monitoring critical assets and infrastructure.

To satisfy the target customers, these services shall comply with specific security, resilience and/or sovereignty requirements.

This new Space Systems for Safety and Security (4S) opportunity aims to foster the development by European and Canadian private actors of such satellite communications mission, systems and technologies.

KEY FOCUS AREAS

SYSTEM STUDIES FOR END-TO-END SATCOM SOLUTIONS

Industry is invited to submit proposals for system studies aimed at consolidating end-to-end satellite communications missions and system concepts aimed at serving applications with security, safety and/or sovereignty requirements, and preparing the following development and deployment steps.

Download the Call for Proposal Document

TECHNOLOGIES AND PRODUCTS FOR SECURE AND RESILIENT SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS

Industry is invited to submit proposals for initiating early development of technologies and products critical to the development of infrastructures providing satellite communication services for applications with safety, security and/or sovereignty requirements, and/or to enhance security and resilience of satcom systems and products (e.g. cybersecurity products for satcom systems, anti-jamming techniques, secure routing for resilient space-based communication).

Any development in the areas of ground, space and system are considered.

Download the Call for Proposal Document

WHAT WE OFFER

We offer funding and technical support to companies for system studies and development of technologies and products addressing the key areas outlined above.

ESA support will be based on a co-funding scheme where the funding levels will take into consideration product maturity and the risks involved.

WHO CAN APPLY?

This call is open to Industry within ESA Member States participating in the 4S Strategic Programme Line, namely: Austria (AT), Belgium (BE), Canada (CA), Czech Republic (CZ), Denmark (DK), Estonia (EE), Finland (FI), France (FR), Germany (DE), Greece (GR), Hungary (HU), Ireland (IE), Italy (IT), Luxembourg (LU), the Netherlands (NL), Norway (NO), Poland (PL), Portugal (PT), Romania (RO), Spain (ES), Switzerland (CH), and the United Kingdom (UK).

HOW TO APPLY?

There are two steps involved in applying to this call:

1. Outline Proposal: the first step is the submission of an Outline Proposal. Outline Proposals can be submitted any time during the opening period, and will be assessed promptly by ESA.

2. Full Proposal: Following notification from ESA on the acceptance of the Outline Proposal, the Tenderer may decide to prepare a Full Proposal using the provided template.  Only Full Proposals supported with a “Letter(s) of Authorisation of Funding” (AOF) from National Delegations covering the Full Proposal will be admitted for evaluation. The Full Proposals shall be delivered via “esa-star.”

Companies interested in proposing a project are strongly advised to contact their national delegations in advance to start the process of obtaining an Authorisation of Funding.

In addition, interested parties are advised to start the registration of their team on esa-star as soon as possible as it may take some time. If a team is made up of more than one company or organisation, each member will need to register.

For more information download the 4S initiatives documentation under the relevant focus area and view the presentation from our webinar.

EXTENDED DEADLINE 

The funding opportunity has been extended for a further year, closing in February 2026.

WEBINAR

A webinar took place on 19 March at 11:00 CET. You can view the presentation below.

View the Presentation