European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA)

Summary

The European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) provides safe and secure European satellite navigation services, advances the commercialization of Galileo, EGNOS, and Copernicus data and services, engages in secure satellite communications (GOVSATCOM & IRIS2), and operates the EUSST Front Desk. EUSPA is also responsible for accrediting the security of all EU Space Programme components. By fostering innovation in the space sector and above and collaborating with the EU Space community, EUSPA contributes to the European Green Deal and digital transition, enhances Union safety and security, and strengthens autonomy and resilience.

Programme Description

The mission of the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) is defined by the EU Space Programme Regulation. EUSPA’s mission is to be the user-oriented operational Agency of the EU Space Programme, contributing to sustainable growth, security and safety of the European Union. In the execution of its mission, EUSPA counts on strong partnerships with the European Commission, European Parliament, Member States, European Space Agency, and private actors across the EU.

The EU Agency for the Space Programme:

  • Provides state-of-the-art, safe and secure positioning, navigation and timing services based on Galileo and EGNOS, cost-effective satellite communications services for GOVSATCOM and soon IRIS2, and Front Desk services of the EU Space Surveillance Tracking whilst ensuring the systems’ service continuity and robustness;
  • Promotes and maximises the use of data and services offered by Galileo, EGNOS, Copernicus, GOVSATCOM and soon IRIS2 across a broad range of domains.
  • Fosters the development of a vibrant European space ecosystem by providing market intelligence, and technical know-how to innovators, academia, start-ups, and SMEs. The agency leverages Horizon Europe, other EU funding, and innovative procurement mechanisms.
  • Implements and monitors the security of the EU Space Programme components in space and on the ground with the aim to enhance the security of the Union and its Member States; To do so, EUSPA operates the Galileo Security Monitoring Centre.
  • The EU Space Programme Security Accreditation Board is established within the Agency, representing the security accreditation authority for all of the EU Space Programme’s components.

Vision

EUSPA is the operational European Union Agency for the Space Programme. It adopts a user-oriented approach to promote sustainable growth and to improve the security and safety of the European Union.

In the last two decades, the European Union has been dedicated to developing a competitive, innovative, and beneficial EU Space Programme and infrastructure. The European Space Programme has made significant strides, providing unique services in satellite navigation, Earth observation, and telecommunications, and strengthening both the upstream and downstream sectors.

Space technology, data, and services have become indispensable in the daily lives of Europeans, playing a critical role in supporting the Union’s strategic interests. These services are ubiquitous, and their applications are expanding to various industries, which are increasingly looking to space to develop solutions to societal challenges.

EUSPA’s primary ambition is to act in linking space and users. EUSPA brings all space stakeholders together, allowing them to leverage the synergies of the Space Programme’s individual components to deliver the greatest possible benefits to European citizens and businesses. EUSPA leads the implementation of the EU Space Programme, promotes space-based scientific and technical progress, and supports the competitiveness and innovative capacity of space sector industries within the Union, with a particular focus on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups.

The EU Space Programme and the services and applications it supports contribute to advancing the European Union’s objectives and achieving its key policy goals and priorities. However, EUSPA believes that we have just begun to realize the benefits that space can deliver, and a future where business and society increasingly look to space as the resource of the future is very close.

Total Budget

€ 48.1 million

Thematic Categories

  • Environment and Climate Change
  • Industry
  • Information Technology
  • Research, Technological Development and Innovation
  • Space
  • Transport

Eligibility for Participation

  • Central Government
  • Educational Institutions
  • International Organisations
  • Large Enterprises
  • Private Bodies
  • Researchers/Research Centers/Institutions
  • Semi-governmental organisations
  • Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
  • State-owned Enterprises

Call Opening Date

01/01/2021

Call Closing Date

31/12/2027
Programme/Sub-programme/Plan Calls
  • Copernicus-based applications for businesses and policy-making

    Closed

    Code: 31505 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-EUSPA-2023-SPACE-01-43 | Programme name: European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) | Start submission calls: 26/10/2023 | End submission calls: 14/02/2024

    Applications under this topic will build on Copernicus data and the latest evolutions of the Copernicus services and may combine these with other sources of data or services, including those based on in situ/ground-based information and, where relevant, other space capacities like data collection, satcom, navigation, in particular the European satellite positioning/navigation/timing services and EGNSS technologies.

  • EGNSS - Closing the gaps in mature, regulated and long lead markets

    Closed

    Code: 31502 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-EUSPA-2023-SPACE-01-42 | Programme name: European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) | Start submission calls: 26/10/2023 | End submission calls: 14/02/2024

    The topic aims to gaps in mature, regulated and long lead markets and deliver concrete pathways to standardization and certification towards broader EGNSS adoption.

  • EGNSS - Transition toward a green, smart and more secure post-pandemic society

    Closed

    Code: 31499 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-EUSPA-2023-SPACE-01-41 | Programme name: European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) | Start submission calls: 26/10/2023 | End submission calls: 14/02/2024

    The scope of this action is the development of space-based synergistic technologies for green, smart and more secure solutions addressing a variety of social and economic challenges which emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.
    By leveraging EGNSS services including their differentiators (OSNMA, HAS, RLS, CAS etc.), proposals should develop applications and technologies that focus on commercial exploitation.

  • EU GOVSATCOM for a safer and more secure EU

    Closed

    Code: 31496 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-EUSPA-2023-SPACE-01-61 | Programme name: European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) | Start submission calls: 26/10/2023 | End submission calls: 14/02/2024

    The projects under this topic shall aim at identifying and address technological challenges related to the provision of GOVSATCOM services and increasing awareness on the benefits brought by the use of secure services provided by GOVSATCOM and will engage the users, public authorities and policy makers to the maximum extent.

  • Designing space-based downstream applications with international partners

    Closed

    Code: 31493 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-EUSPA-2023-SPACE-01-46 | Programme name: European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) | Start submission calls: 26/10/2023 | End submission calls: 14/02/2024

    Projects will contribute to the following objectives:

    • Lead to new or improved products, processes or services – using EU space technologies (Copernicus, EGNSS as enabler) that are capable of generating a marketable solution for the local market.
    • Maximise and spread the benefits of space-based applications and solutions enabled by EGNSS and/or by Copernicus, to leverage downstream space excellence, in particular of SMEs and universities, to facilitate investments and to foster market uptake.
    • Create partnerships with non-EU entities towards commercialization, to trigger public and/or private investment from Europe and beyond to take advantage of market opportunities in Europe or local markets.
    • Build capacity and awareness-raising around EGNSS – and Copernicus-based applications and solutions, particularly in the regulated domains.

    The actions should focus on technical developments of EU space-based applications/solutions, dissemination, awareness-raising, as well as provide opportunities for the creation of business-oriented partnerships between European industry and international partners.

  • EGNSS applications for Smart mobility

    Closed

    Code: 25172 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-EUSPA-2022-SPACE-02-51 | Programme name: European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) | Start submission calls: 03/11/2022 | End submission calls: 02/03/2023

    The action focuses on the development of close-to-market EGNSS transport applications and mobility services through the realisation of large-scale demonstration and implementation projects, indicating the necessary scale-up needs to wide adoption in Europe and worldwide and associated standards and certification. Applications in aviation, maritime, rail, road transport areas will be considered, as well as multi-mode approaches.

  • Public sector as Galileo and/or Copernicus user

    Closed

    Code: 25170 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-EUSPA-2022-SPACE-02-52 | Programme name: European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) | Start submission calls: 03/11/2022 | End submission calls: 02/03/2023

    The topic is dedicated to public administration entities to procure research and experimental development that exploits space data and services (e.g. Galileo and/or Copernicus) and that meets their needs. In addition, the proposals should build on the procurement needs of the participating organizations, supporting the EGNSS, Galileo and/or Copernicus market take-up across Europe and demonstrating a sustainability of solutions beyond the lifespan of the proposed project.

  • Copernicus downstream applications and the European Data Economy

    Closed

    Code: 25166 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-EUSPA-2022-SPACE-02-54 | Programme name: European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) | Start submission calls: 03/11/2022 | End submission calls: 02/03/2023

    The action aims to support the adoption of Copernicus and state-of-the-art ICT technologies (e.g. Big Data and AI), and make use of existing European data infrastructures, such as Copernicus DIAS platforms, European open data portals, and industrial data platforms. The topic will contribute to the digitization challenges of the European industry fostering the integration and uptake of Copernicus into the economy and opening up innovative business opportunities, supporting societal challenges.

  • GOVSATCOM Service developments and demonstrations

    Closed

    Code: 25145 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-EUSPA-2022-SPACE-02-61 | Programme name: European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) | Start submission calls: 03/11/2022 | End submission calls: 02/03/2023

    The action supports the consolidation of integrated use cases and demonstration of EU GOVSATCOM service interoperability in real user environment, addressing service developments in support to all High Level User Needs, including direct involvement of users and with emphasis on civilian users and interoperability of services.

  • Designing space-based downstream applications with international partners

    Closed

    Code: 25141 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-EUSPA-2022-SPACE-02-56 | Programme name: European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) | Start submission calls: 03/11/2022 | End submission calls: 02/03/2023

    The action focuses on technical developments of EU-space based applications/solutions, dissemination, awareness-raising, as well as provide opportunities for the creation of business-oriented partnerships of European industry with international partners. By doing so the action aims be achieve a critical mass of space based-application success stories, demonstrating the advantages and differentiators of EU space-based solutions and services and making it an attractive option for public authorities, private industries and private investors in Europe and elsewhere.

  • Large-scale Copernicus data uptake with AI and HPC

    Closed

    Code: 25138 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-EUSPA-2022-SPACE-02-55 | Programme name: European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) | Start submission calls: 03/11/2022 | End submission calls: 02/03/2023

    The action aims to facilitate the Copernicus data uptake and commercial exploitation by fostering the collaboration of ICT actors, both from industry and academia, with the earth observation/space stakeholders and Copernicus users. It also creates a significant opportunity to innovate by inter-linking data infrastructures, exploiting the AI/HPC paradigm, while responding effectively to user needs.