ISOS Pilot Mission Detailed Design – Logistics component
HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-23
Funding Amount
€10.0M - €12.0M
Deadline
25/09/2025
Eligible Organization Types
Non-profit, Private Business, Research Institution, Public Institution
Trusted by
What is the ISOS Pilot Mission Detailed Design – Logistics component Call?
Grant Description
This topic aims to develop and demonstrate in-space operational capabilities by 2030 through the detailed design of the logistics component of an In-Space Operations and Services pilot mission. It addresses transport of satellite payloads and propellant from upper stages to host platforms, supporting EU strategic autonomy, resilience of space assets and the development of a new in-space economy by delivering matured technologies and a concrete mission concept ready for commercial and governmenta...
Required Results for Successful Funding
Expected Outcomes
• Demonstrate in-space piloting of ‘Act in Space’ capabilities by 2030, through an operational ISOS pilot mission logistics component.
• Provide seed components for a future European in-space service infrastructure, enhancing resilience and protection of EU space assets and ensuring freedom of action in orbit.
• Drive the emergence of a new in-space economy via enhanced in-orbit technology demonstration and plug-and-play, circular-economy spacecraft concepts (recycling/re-use of modules).
• Achieve a sustainable, highly automated, flexible and economically viable space logistics infrastructure.
• Deliver detailed logistics component design, mature enabling technologies and innovative operational concepts up to required TRLs.
• Define and validate mechanical, data and operational interfaces with HOST, servicing elements and sat APPs in coordination with the ISOS CSA.
• Contribute to the ISOS Pilot Mission Objectives (technical annex) and elaborate clear governmental/commercial use cases and business models.
• Ensure readiness of results for follow-on mission phases and medium-to-long-term deployment of global space-based services, strengthening EU space sector competitiveness and strategic autonomy.
• Provide seed components for a future European in-space service infrastructure, enhancing resilience and protection of EU space assets and ensuring freedom of action in orbit.
• Drive the emergence of a new in-space economy via enhanced in-orbit technology demonstration and plug-and-play, circular-economy spacecraft concepts (recycling/re-use of modules).
• Achieve a sustainable, highly automated, flexible and economically viable space logistics infrastructure.
• Deliver detailed logistics component design, mature enabling technologies and innovative operational concepts up to required TRLs.
• Define and validate mechanical, data and operational interfaces with HOST, servicing elements and sat APPs in coordination with the ISOS CSA.
• Contribute to the ISOS Pilot Mission Objectives (technical annex) and elaborate clear governmental/commercial use cases and business models.
• Ensure readiness of results for follow-on mission phases and medium-to-long-term deployment of global space-based services, strengthening EU space sector competitiveness and strategic autonomy.
Funded areas
Scope Requirements
• Complete detailed mission and system design for the logistics component, including TRL maturation for all key technologies.
• Conduct R&I on transport and handling of satellite apps (sat APPs) and propellant from upper stages to HOST.
• Develop and validate docking, propellant management and transfer solutions with the HOST component, leveraging existing European designs where possible.
• Collaborate closely with other ISOS mission components, the ISOS CSA and PMAG to ensure full system integration and interoperability.
• Promote multi-actor partnerships (industry, SMEs, research centres) and plan rapid commercialization paths for in-space services.
• Provide a concrete TRL development plan, demonstrating how all critical technologies will reach the required readiness by project end.
• Clearly map complementarities with prior/ongoing R&I (Horizon Europe/2020, ESA or national programmes, particularly Future Space Ecosystem topics) and identify European non-dependent building blocks at component level.
• Ensure balanced participation of Member States and Associated Countries to underpin EU strategic autonomy in space.
• Where relevant, integrate sex and gender analysis into R&I content.
• Formalize collaboration agreements with projects selected under related ISOS topics to share best practices, processes, documentation and communication activities.
• Conduct R&I on transport and handling of satellite apps (sat APPs) and propellant from upper stages to HOST.
• Develop and validate docking, propellant management and transfer solutions with the HOST component, leveraging existing European designs where possible.
• Collaborate closely with other ISOS mission components, the ISOS CSA and PMAG to ensure full system integration and interoperability.
• Promote multi-actor partnerships (industry, SMEs, research centres) and plan rapid commercialization paths for in-space services.
• Provide a concrete TRL development plan, demonstrating how all critical technologies will reach the required readiness by project end.
• Clearly map complementarities with prior/ongoing R&I (Horizon Europe/2020, ESA or national programmes, particularly Future Space Ecosystem topics) and identify European non-dependent building blocks at component level.
• Ensure balanced participation of Member States and Associated Countries to underpin EU strategic autonomy in space.
• Where relevant, integrate sex and gender analysis into R&I content.
• Formalize collaboration agreements with projects selected under related ISOS topics to share best practices, processes, documentation and communication activities.
Additional Conditions for Applicants
Special Conditions
• Single-stage submission, Horizon RIA action under Horizon Europe, maximum one project funded.
• Application limited to legal entities established in EU Member States, Norway, Iceland, Canada, New Zealand, Switzerland or the UK; entities controlled by non-eligible countries must provide host-country guarantees of non-interference, IP protection and security clearance measures.
• Proposal page limit: 60 pages (Part B of application form).
• If using satellite-based EO or PNT data, beneficiaries must employ Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS services.
• Eligible proposals meeting all thresholds receive a STEP Seal; type: Horizon Action Grant Budget-Based (HORIZON-AG).
• Mandatory completion and upload of the Declaration of Ownership and Control questionnaire; compliance with EU Financial Regulation and Horizon Europe MGA rules.
• Active cooperation through the ISOS Pilot Mission Advisory Group and a formal consortium agreement with parallel ISOS topics.
• Application limited to legal entities established in EU Member States, Norway, Iceland, Canada, New Zealand, Switzerland or the UK; entities controlled by non-eligible countries must provide host-country guarantees of non-interference, IP protection and security clearance measures.
• Proposal page limit: 60 pages (Part B of application form).
• If using satellite-based EO or PNT data, beneficiaries must employ Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS services.
• Eligible proposals meeting all thresholds receive a STEP Seal; type: Horizon Action Grant Budget-Based (HORIZON-AG).
• Mandatory completion and upload of the Declaration of Ownership and Control questionnaire; compliance with EU Financial Regulation and Horizon Europe MGA rules.
• Active cooperation through the ISOS Pilot Mission Advisory Group and a formal consortium agreement with parallel ISOS topics.
Important dates
Open from: 22/05/2025
Deadline:25/09/2025
Application period has ended
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