HORIZON-CL4-2021-SPACE-01-12

Future space ecosystems: on-orbit operations, new system concepts -

Call text (as on F&T portal)

Expected Outcome:

Enable the industrialisation and new services in space by intelligent solutions and concepts, exploiting synergies with terrestrial sectors and cultivating an AppStore and Open-Architecture mentality.

Therefore, automation, robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) especially in combination with standardisation, modularisation and digitalisation are key enablers, improving space systems and satellites’ flexibility and cost-efficiency, increasing sustainability and accessibility, introducing mass-customisation and cooperative design as well as simplifying operations.

Each project is expected to contribute to one or several of the following outcomes:

A future space ecosystem, fostering the industrialisation and business in space as well as supporting scientifically meaningful missions by using synergies with terrestrial sectors, building on spacecraft modularity, simplifying operations and make plug-and-play modules more common as well as enabling on-orbit services such as maintenance, assembly, manufacturing, re-configuration, recycling, logistics, warehousing, etc.
Game-changing technologies, tools and processes enhancing on-orbit servicing applications and contribute to the protection of the in-space future ecosystem (e.g. debris mitigation).
A paradigm shift towards sustainable, highly automated, flexible and economical viable space infrastructure, to maximise commercial opportunities in space and on Earth.

This will contribute to, in the medium to long term, developing, deploying global space-based services and contribute to fostering the EU's space sector competitiveness, as stated in the expected impact of this destination.

Scope:

The areas of R&I, which need to be addressed to tackle the above expected outcomes are:

1) R&I on new scalable satellite platform concepts and building blocks increasing the degree of satellite modularisation. Aiming at intelligent, adaptable and maintainable systems with plug-and-play compartmentalised functionalities (modules) that will introduce both, on-orbit re-configuration and re-use/re-cycling of spacecraft parts fostering debris mitigation, as well as increased system redundancy, inherently. The approach should consider an innovative, scalable and adaptive framework concept for a ‘European construction kit for satellite systems and applications’, following the AppStore approach and fostering development of compartmentalised functionalities (modules) for satellite systems independently from mission. The framework should address the needs from building block developers as well as from end-users. As one result, functional satellite modules (Orbital Replaceable Units to deliver new/enhanced functionality) should be developed (TRL 5-6) to upgrade the satellite platform of the orbital demonstration mission[1] by using pre-existing standard interfaces[2] (plug-and-play concept). The module design should support the integration of different pre-existing standard interfaces113. Further reference is given in a technical guidance document applicable to this area[3].

2) R&I on new on-orbit services concepts concentrating on a next generation of potential business cases (e.g. satellite recycling, transfer services, logistics, warehousing, etc.) contributing to a sustainable space infrastructure and in-space ecosystem development. Work should include, but not be limited to, market & trend analyses, design of mission and system architecture, and feasibility studies.

3) R&I to identify, develop and implement AI and industry 4.0 means (e.g. virtual design, digital twins, virtual testing) in order to attain Rapid Development, Production and Assembly Integration and Testing (AIT) processes in satellite life cycle.

Proposals should explore relevant and promising solutions derived in Horizon 2020 activities, especially project results from the Strategic Research Clusters Space Robotics Technologies[4] and Electric Propulsion[5].

A proposal may address more than one area but must indicate the main area addressed, and is expected to promote cooperation between different actors (industry, SMEs and research institutions) and consider opportunities to quickly turn technological innovation into commercial space usage.

To ensure a balanced portfolio covering the three areas described above, grants will be awarded to applications not only in order of ranking but at least also to one project that is the highest ranked within each area, provided that the applications attain all thresholds.

In this topic the integration of the gender dimension (sex and gender analysis) in research and innovation content is not a mandatory requirement.

null

Activities addressing area 1 of the call topic are expected to achieve TRL5-6 by the end of the project – see General Annex B.

[1] To be developed under topic HORIZON-CL4-2022-SPACE-01-11

[2] Multi-functional interface for OOS applications providing at least transfer of mechanical loads, power and data, (e.g. HOTDOCK, iSSI or SIROM)

[3] Published on the EU funding and tenders portal (https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal)

[4] www.h2020-peraspera.eu

[5] www.epic-src.eu

News flashes

2022-06-30

An overview of the HORIZON-CL4-2021-SPACE-01 evaluation results (Flash Call Info) is now available under the link.

2022-06-30

An overview of the HORIZON-CL4-2021-SPACE-01 evaluation results (Flash Call Info) is now available under the link.

2022-06-30

An overview of the HORIZON-CL4-2021-SPACE-01 evaluation results (Flash Call Info) is now available under the link.

2022-06-30

An overview of the HORIZON-CL4-2021-SPACE-01 evaluation results (Flash Call Info) is now available under the link.

2022-02-16

Call HORIZON-CL4-2021-SPACE-01 has closed on the 16/02/2022. 61 proposals have been submitted. The breakdown per topic is:• HORIZON-CL4-2021-SPACE-01-11: 8 proposals• HORIZON-CL4-2021-SPACE-01-12: 19 proposals• HORIZON-CL4-2021-SPACE-01-21: 3 proposals• HORIZON-CL4-2021-SPACE-01-22: 3 proposals• HORIZON-CL4-2021-SPACE-01-23: 12 proposals• HORIZON-CL4-2021-SPACE-01-41: 1 proposal• HORIZON-CL4-2021-SPACE-01-42: 1 proposal• HORIZON-CL4-2021-SPACE-01-43: 3 proposals• HORIZON-CL4-2021-SPACE-01-44: 3 proposals• HORIZON-CL4-2021-SPACE-01-62: 1 proposal• HORIZON-CL4-2021-SPACE-01-81: 7 proposals Evaluation results are expected to be communicated in the end of June 2022.

2022-02-16

2021-11-02

The submission session is now available for: HORIZON-CL4-2021-SPACE-01-12(HORIZON-RIA), HORIZON-CL4-2021-SPACE-01-21(HORIZON-RIA), HORIZON-CL4-2021-SPACE-01-62(HORIZON-RIA), HORIZON-CL4-2021-SPACE-01-22(HORIZON-RIA), HORIZON-CL4-2021-SPACE-01-23(HORIZON-RIA), HORIZON-CL4-2021-SPACE-01-42(HORIZON-RIA), HORIZON-CL4-2021-SPACE-01-81(HORIZON-RIA), HORIZON-CL4-2021-SPACE-01-11(HORIZON-RIA), HORIZON-CL4-2021-SPACE-01-41(HORIZON-RIA), HORIZON-CL4-2021-SPACE-01-43(HORIZON-RIA), HORIZON-CL4-2021-SPACE-01-44(HORIZON-RIA)

2021-11-02

2021-10-29

Following the adoption of the revised Horizon Work Programme on 28 October 2021, for technical reasons the planned opening date of the call has been postponed until 2 November 2021.

2021-10-29

Following the adoption of the revised Horizon Work Programme on 28 October 2021, for technical reasons the planned opening date of the call has been postponed until 2 November 2021.

2021-09-06

The technical guidance document is available at https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/guidance-document_horizon-cl4-2021-space-01-12_en.pdf

2021-09-06

The technical guidance document is available at https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/guidance-document_horizon-cl4-2021-space-01-12_en.pdf

call topic details

Call status: Closed
Opening date: 2021-11-02 (4 years ago)
Closing date: 2022-02-16 (4 years ago)
Procedure: single-stage

Budget: 6,000,000
Expected grants: 3
Contribution: 1,000,000 - 2,000,000

News flashes

This call topic has been appended 12 times by the EC with news.

2022-06-30
an overview of the horizon-cl4-2021-spac...
2022-06-30
an overview of the horizon-cl4-2021-spac...
2022-06-30
an overview of the horizon-cl4-2021-spac...
2022-06-30
an overview of the horizon-cl4-2021-spac...
2022-02-16
call horizon-cl4-2021-space-01 has close...
2022-02-16
call horizon-cl4-2021-space-01 has close...
2021-11-02
the submission session is now available...
2021-11-02
the submission session is now available...
2021-10-29
following the adoption of the revised ho...
2021-10-29
following the adoption of the revised ho...
2021-09-06
the technical guidance document is avail...
2021-09-06
the technical guidance document is avail...

Call

HORIZON-CL4-2021-SPACE-01

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Call published · 30 Sep 2024 (2 years ago)

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Today

Work programme published

16 Apr 2021 · est.

Call opens

02 Nov 2021

Call closes

16 Feb 2022

Outcome expected

16 Jul 2022 · est.

Grant agreement signed

16 Oct 2022 · est.

Call published

30 Sep 2024

Preparation Open for submission Evaluation Grant preparation Not yet reached

Work programme published Estimated

16 Apr 2021 · 5 years ago

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Call opens

02 Nov 2021 · 4 years ago

Submissions can be made from this date.
Call closes

16 Feb 2022 · 4 years ago

Deadline to submit a proposal.
Outcome expected Estimated

16 Jul 2022 · 4 years ago

The maximum time to inform applicants of the evaluation outcome is five months after the call closes.
Grant agreement signed Estimated

16 Oct 2022 · 3 years ago

The maximum time to sign the grant agreement is three months after applicants are informed of the outcome.
Call published

30 Sep 2024 · 2 years ago

This topic was first published in TopicTree.
Today · 09 Oct 2026

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