STEPP CONSOLIDATION & REVIEW WORKSHOP · STEPP - A project funded by the European Union Summary of...

STEPP - A project funded by the European Union

Summary of discussions – STEPP Consolidation & Review Workshop – 10-11/09/2019 – VF 1

STEPP CONSOLIDATION &

REVIEW WORKSHOP

SUMMARY OF DISCUSSIONS

Date: 10 & 11 September 2019 – Location: Pan Piper, 2 impasse Lamier, Paris

Foreword:

The first STEPP Consolidation and Review Workshop took place on September 10th and 11th 2019 in

Paris. It took the form of a two-day working session aiming at reviewing in full the key development

proposals emerging from the STEPP process.

The workshop gathered more than 80 participants involving all STEPP Contributors and Task

Force leaders, plus key representatives from the main sector associations (ESRE, EARTO,

EASN, SME4Space, Eurospace). The event was also open to participants from the STEPP

Consultation Group and, to ensure full transparency on STEPP activities, to the European

Commission and the main European space agencies (DLR, CNES, ASI, CDTI). At this point, we

can only regret that ESA was not able to be represented to observe a process for which they could

bring their comments and ideas.

Through a full review of the developments proposals prepared and presented by the STEPP experts’

teams, the workshop allowed the participating stakeholders to discuss and converge on the budget

pointers (mechanisms and level of resources) and the programmatic orientations needed for

the SRIA, along with preliminary discussions on the identification of synergy areas and cross-

links.

It important to keep in mind that STEPP developments approach is conceived with due respect to

existing roadmaps, already achieved developments (within ESA, EU and National RDT programs),

and future needs. Moreover, the overall developments proposal is consolidated internally (at STEPP

level) and externally (at the level of the COM-led platform for space technologies).

The following document is a short summary of discussions of the two-day event. The Annex 1

completes this document by giving a complete view on the many Key Development Proposals

associated with budget pointers for each chapter and a preliminary identification of synergies

and cross-links between them.



TABLE OF CONTENT

List of Participants ............................................................................................................ 3

Summary of discussions .................................................................................................... 5

Tuesday 10th September 2019 ..................................................................................................................................... 5

Foster competitiveness of end to end systems enabling new services ............................................................ 5

Future space ecosystems: on-orbit operations, new system concepts ............................................................ 7

Enabling technologies .......................................................................................................................................................... 9

Governance tool box ............................................................................................................................................................11

Wednesday 11th September 2019 ............................................................................................................................ 12

Enabling technologies ........................................................................................................................................................12

Reinforce access to space ..................................................................................................................................................15

Contribution to space science .........................................................................................................................................17

New industrial processes and production tools ......................................................................................................18

Wrap-up and Way forward ......................................................................................................................................... 18



LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

*The agenda of the event is enclosed along with the other relevant documents in attachment.

Last Name First Name Organisation

ALTENBURG Martin Airbus Defence and Space

ANDRAU Bernard Airbus Defence and Space

ANTONETTI Stefano D-ORBIT S.p.A.

ARLIAUD Aurélie Teledyne e2v

AYUSO Antonio Sener

BELLAICHE Gilles CNES

BEROUD Florence REA

BINETTI Paolo ArianeGroup

BONFILS Hélène CNES

BRANCATI Marco Telespazio

BUTHION Lucas Eurospace

CANNONE Fabio Telespazio

CAROLLO Giorgio STEPP Team

CARRAUD François ArianeGroup

CAZAUX Jean-Louis Thales Alenia Space

CLOUTET Jean-Luc ArianeGroup

DAFNIS Athanasios EASN

DELLANDREA Brice Thales Alenia Space

DOLLON Matthieu Airbus Defence and Space

DURAND Yves Thales Alenia Space

FABBRI Katia Vitrociset S.p.A.

FEDELE Cristina Thales Alenia Space

FEYHL Dieter ArianeGroup

FLAMENBAUM Serge Airbus Defence and Space

FONTANA Angelo Avio

FRAGA Enrique GMV

GALLAND Charles STEPP Team

GARRIDO Cristina CDTI

GAUTHIER-PREVOST Bénédicte Airbus Defence and Space

GUIDOTTI Giuseppe CIRA

GUTIÉRREZ Antonio Deimos Space

HALLAKOUN Jérémy STEPP Team

HARGITAI Péter HUNSPACE

JORDAN Jesus David GMV

JOZWICKA-PERLANT Agata ArianeGroup

KROH Hans Joachim DLR

LIETH George DLR

LINMANN Andreas Airbus Defence and Space

LIONNET Pierre STEPP Team

LJUNGQVIST Mats European Commission

LUTZ Martine Thales Alenia Space

MADRIGAL Ana Maria CSEM

MAEKE-KAIL Matthias TTTech Computertechnik AG



MARCOS Jesus STEPP Team

MAUTÉ Patrick Thales Alenia Space

MELLOT Agnès Xiorcal

MISURI Tommaso SITAEL

MONTHILLER Jean-Michel European Commission

NOELKE Daniel DLR

ORTEGA Cristina AVS

PAILHAREY Eric Thales Alenia Space

PASQUET Jean-Marie Thales Alenia Space

PLECZON Patrick Airbus Defence and Space

RAZZANO Giuseppe Vitrociset S.p.A.

RITZENTHALER Lucie STEPP Team

RODRÍGUEZ Diego INDRA

RODRIGUEZ GONZALEZ Javier CDTI

ROGER Bruno Thales Alenia Space

RUBINI Danilo ASI

RYABOKON Anna TTTech Computertechnik AG

SALVATORI Agnés Airbus Defence and Space

SÁNCHEZ Almudena GMV

SANCHEZ-NOGALES Mariano Deimos Space

SANDRONE Silvio Airbus Defence and Space

SCHÄFER Frank Fraunhofer

SPANOUDAKIS Peter CSEM

STIGELL Pauli Business Finland

TATO Cristina Sener

TKATCHOVA Stella Newtec Cy

TOURNE Ignacio Deimos Space

TRAINEAU Jean-Claude Onera

TREUET Jean-Charles STEPP Team

URGOITI Eduardo Sener

VALES Marc Dassault Aviation

VAN TOOREN Joost ArianeGroup

VANDERHAUWAERT Kris SME4Space

VITOBELLO Fabio European Commission

WANG Pierre Xiao 3D PLUS

YVART Pierre ArianeGroup



SUMMARY OF DISCUSSIONS

TUESDAY 10TH SEPTEMBER 2019

Pierre Lionnet, STEPP Lead Executive, officially opened the workshop by welcoming the various

participants.

After a brief description on the different phases the STEPP Project already achieved, he then

explained the various objectives of the workshop:

1. Gather a complete view of the STEPP process and ensuing proposals and their

relevance to the SRIA preparation;

2. Identify synergy areas and cross-links between programmatic areas, and

3. Check the overall consistency of the proposal against the agreed SRIA outline;

4. Converge on programmatic contents, implementation tools, mechanisms and level of

resources needed for the SRIA;

5. Create consensus on the future SRIA.

The political agenda linked to the COM-led consultation Platform for space technologies was also

mentioned, and in particular the upcoming meetings of the consultation Platform in September and

November.

FOSTER COMPETITIVENESS OF END TO END SYSTEMS ENABLING NEW SERVICES

Telecommunication

The STEPP input was presented by STEPP Contributors Matthieu Dollon (Airbus DS) and Roger

Petit (Thales Alenia Space). Their presentation was followed by a Q&As session.

Main takeovers from the presentation:

The SatCom market is the biggest commercial market for space. It is highly competitive, with main

competitors in the USA and in Europe. The European market share is in the order of 40% which is a

great success for Europe. However, newcomers are emerging, notably in China and Japan.

As a result, the SatCom market is evolving a lot, with new needs, focusing on data more than

broadcast:

• Video is still a data hungry application, but now it is now demand, not on broadcast.

• The next application is the Internet of Things (IoT) with the multiplication of connected objects.

• There is the 5G emergence, which creates further connection and infrastructure needs.

The market for SatCom is suffering a downturn, with satellite orders dropping to about 10 order/year

and less after decades where the average orders per year was about 20. The market uptake is

expected to happen, but the form it will take is still uncertain.

There is an emerging context with small satellite (mega) constellations for a variety of services

(broadband, IoT, tracking, store & forward, mobile communications...) and a possibly resurging need

for new generations large Geostationary satellites offering extremely high throughput with very flexible

payloads. A new potential application for satellites is the use of satellite for Quantum key distribution

(QKD), a domain where satellites are absolutely essential.



To answer those various challenges, the SatCom market could rely on a number of key

developments which are deemed essential. Those challenges and the associated key

developments and budget pointers can be found in the Annex 1.

Q&As:

The various questions concerned:

• The applicability of end to end systems for citizens via a European flagship programme.

o 5G and IoT are two flagship applications and programmes. QKD would also provide

more security to European citizens

• The data management part of the development should be identified as synergy because it is a

key enabler based on Electrical, Electronic and Electro-mechanical (EEE) aspects

• Share of low and high TRL

• Assumptions that the market will come back:

o Operators want to have new service at the same price, so there is a need to increase

the technological capacity and capabilities. Operators need to replace current

satellites and prepare for the future. Two challenging solutions:

▪ Geo satellites

▪ Mega constellations

Earth Observation

The STEPP input was presented by STEPP Contributors Agnès Salvatori (Airbus DS) and Eric

Pailharey (Thales Alenia Space). Their presentation was followed by a Q&As session.


The commercial Earth Observation market is an evolving market with the emergence of new players

from China, Korea, Israel etc. It is burgeoning, with applications being rolled out taking advantage of

enhancements in resolution.

The NewSpace wave is also affecting this market with important price reductions in the data and

image collected and thanks to disruptive service offerings. The key trends and application enablers will

be supported by near-persistent observation capacities.

Today Europe has a good position on the market for commercial EO spacecraft, but on the imaging

and services market its positions need to be improved.

The technology roadmap for EO will be supported by proposals for developments, considering cost,

technology evolution and trade-offs between ground and space capabilities for overall system

optimisation.

To answers those various challenges, the EO market could rely on a number of key



Q&As:


• The institutional support to the EO commercial market judged not enough significant

o Copernicus, but not for commercial purposes

o Most of the commercial market is extending internationally and not in Europe.



Ground Segment

The STEPP input was presented by STEPP Contributors Fabio Cannone (Telespazio), Enrique

Fraga (GMV) and Diego Rodriguez (Indra). Their presentation was followed by a Q&As session.


The market is evolving with a few key notable trends:

• The amount of data produced and downloaded is growing with every new generation of

service. The current constellation trend ongoing increases the number of satellites to be

controlled as well.

• Competition is growing with newcomers taking major steps ahead (e.g. China). In addition,

there are new users and customers. When elaborating solutions for end to end systems, the

production and development times have now to be reduced significantly. The new market

paradigms will not allow 5/6 years before system is available. A core key word for this market

is reactiveness.

• The ground segment can become a commodity to be used by satellites and constellations.

The sector can promote the ground segment as a service, accessing the data for the end

users in a seamless 'app-oriented' way.

To answer those various challenges, the Ground Segment market could rely on a number of

key developments which are deemed essential. Those challenges and the associated key

developments and budget pointers can be found in the document in the Annex 1.

Q&As:


• Need for common European standards

o A political decision is needed first to ensure all major organisations sit together and

elaborate them

o Standards must be cost effective

• Space traffic management

o Support for new developments: the old system must be changed, updated and

modernised.

FUTURE SPACE ECOSYSTEMS: ON-ORBIT OPERATIONS, NEW SYSTEM CONCEPTS

On orbit operations

The STEPP input was presented by STEPP Contributor Cristina Fedele (Thales Alenia Space) and

Silvio Sandrone (Airbus DS). Their presentation was followed by a Q&As session.


The OOO segment is new segment with potential market growth in the future. The benefits of OOO

and related services are many and are expected to impact positively the key mission cost budgets

such as launch costs and space systems life cycle cost by providing mass gains and life extension at

large for orbital systems. Today the communication satellites are very expensive with very long

lifetime, and with platform subsystems having very long usage life. The Payload however becomes

quite rapidly obsolete. There is thus an advantage in the possibility of extending the life time of space

systems or upgrading them in a variety of configurations.



The coordination with the PERASPERA roadmap is foreseen to provide extended synergies with this

area.

To answer those various challenges, the OOO market could rely on a number of key


developments and budget pointers can be found in the document in the Annex 1.

Q&As:


• The status of world competition in this area

o Competition today is limited to a few initiatives, mostly in the US, funded by DARPA

o The business case is not readily available. Need to start thinking about standards and

key building blocks before we have the key market enablers that we would expect for

the future service to emerge.

• Re-orbiting as a key aspect of the OOO domain.

o Re-orbiting and orbital transportation, orbital changes, ADR and de-orbiting are all in

the STEPP proposal, and will require a consolidation to identify common building

blocks, synergies in concepts and approaches.

De-orbiting technologies and solutions

The STEPP input was presented by STEPP Contributor Mariano Sanchez-Nogales (Deimos Space).

His presentation was followed by a Q&As session.


It is important to understand that topics cannot be isolated. There is a mission level need, to organise

the end of life operations and eventually address active debris removal missions as required.

There is also a baseline of generic technologies and know-hows that will ensure that all requirements

are met, in terms of end of life strategies, including demise-ability, re-entry trajectory, passivation, etc.

End of life requirements shall be design drivers for future systems, subsystems and equipment.

Europe shall ensure that the debris population remains in check, particularly with a context of growing

spacecraft population in orbit. Europe must remain at the forefront of the preservation of the orbital

environment. Sustainability is key.

To answer those various challenges, the De-orbiting technologies and solutions market could

rely on a number of key developments which are deemed essential. Those challenges and the

associated key developments and budget pointers can be found in the Annex 1.

Q&As:


• Coordination with the ESA e-deorbit programme

o The focus here is the development of technologies and building blocks that will,

eventually, enable the readiness for such missions.

• About active debris removal missions cost-efficiency (because many debris are very small)

o Aligned with the growth of the debris population. The bigger pieces are potentially

more dangerous than the other, with different levels of criticality. A collision with large

debris will create so many new small debris that they should probably provide the

best-case scenario to start ADR missions.



• Regulation on debris and market demand

o A potential debris regulation will play an essential role

o De-orbiting regulations should be integrated in all the phases and technology of a

space mission

o Need for international regulations not to be weakened by competition outside Europe

o Either satellites have autonomous capability not to create debris and deorbit

themselves, either they will have to resort to using a dedicated service.

ENABLING TECHNOLOGIES

EEE Components

The STEPP input was presented by STEPP Contributor Jean-Louis Cazaux (Thales Alenia Space

and ESCC/CTB Chair). His presentation was followed by a Q&As session.


EEE components are at the source of most electronics and photonics systems on board of our

satellites. They are the key element for the generic trends, impacting hardware design and concepts.

EEE components are key elements to the general trends that are strongly impacting the evolution of

space-borne hardware (design and concepts). They answer two major trends: first, more flexible and

reconfigurable satellites and second, more affordable solutions for the satellites of the New Space

trend.

EEE components are also an area of European technological dependence from non-European

controlled sources.

To answer those various challenges, the EEE components market could rely on a number of



Q&As:


• Level of TRL targeted in general

o Depends on the actions:

▪ For the longer term we are at low TRL today

▪ Many actions are in continuation with the plans so far and shall target 4-7

maturity levels.

• About COTS and spin-in from other sectors:

o COTS from automotive sector provide very robust solutions, and sometimes even with

higher requirements than the space sector.

o Similarly, in CubeSats developments using COTS the feedback received was that

COTS components were resisting well from radiation exposure.

o Using COTS on Class-1 satellites is very expensive.

o The problem is not about using COTS, but rather a problem of standards for using

these COTS components. This is due to the position of some agencies that are late in

the adoption of COTS and are not promoting suitable standards.

• There shall be in HE a coordination approach to ensure that EU developments in EEE are

associated to a good understanding of space needs.



• One of the risks we are facing today in Europe is the disappearance of foundries producing

space qualified EEE.

Materials, thermal, mechanical, structures and related processes

The STEPP input was presented by STEPP Contributors Martine Lutz (Thales Alenia Space), Peter

Spanoudakis (CSEM) and Frank Schäfer (Fraunhofer). Their presentation was followed by a Q&As

session.


This chapter is driven by growing mission requirements, with more compact satellites and the need to

roll out new solutions to address such issues as thermal dissipation.

It is also stimulated by spin in, due to new materials, complex composites and new manufacturing

techniques. It is also affected by regulation such as REACH and eco-design principles, promoting a

leaner and cleaner industrial process.

For thermal control the spacecraft system environment is still driven by in house solutions. This is

growingly moving towards more flexible or off the shelf solutions for thermal control. This is relevant to

both large spacecraft and (growingly so) to smaller systems. Indeed, there is a strong need for

scalable solutions for thermal control.

To answer those various challenges, the Materials, thermal, mechanical, structures and related

processes market could rely on a number of key developments which are deemed essential.

Those challenges and the associated key developments and budget pointers can be found in

the Annex 1.

Q&As:


• Focus on new materials and/or new machines

o Specific processes and tools are spin-in potential for the space industry. The concern

is with the new designs enabled by the new tools and the qualification of specific

materials.

• TRL level for integration of sensors in structures

o The integration of structures in materials and structures is a large area for further

exploration, still in the 2-3 TRL maturity, but offering a large array of potential.

• Budget needs judged very reasonable

o Budget for qualification specific to each mission

• In satellite design the areas of thermal and mechanical systems are among those with high

levels of innovation and are giving the sector new ideas to design and conceive new missions

and types of satellites. This domain has been progressing a lot in recent years, after years

and decades of very slow pace of innovation. This is an area where investments are needed,

and where little budgets can create high leverage on missions and systems.

Mechanisms and deployable structures (incl. solar arrays)

The STEPP input was presented by STEPP Contributors Eduardo Urgoiti (Sener) and Peter

Spanoudakis (CSEM). Their presentation was followed by a Q&As session.




Satellite systems are driven by two opposing trends:

• The need to rely on extremely efficient, low cost, modular mechanisms and deployable

structures to respond to the trend of much more compact satellites

• Potentially high requirement payloads with the size of payloads increasing thus needing

requirements for more complex mechanisms.

There is a need for better in orbit performance and that requires better mechanisms. Reconfigurable

missions where flexibility is required so adjustment capabilities can be performed.

To answer those various challenges, the Mechanisms and deployable structures (incl. solar

arrays) market could rely on a number of key developments which are deemed essential.

Those challenges and the associated key developments and budget pointers can be found in

the Annex 1.

Q&As:


• Flexible panels and flexible cells

o The approach of rolling a blanket could simplify a lot the design so this is the design

driver.

o Flexible arrays are a need and they cannot be avoided for compactness reasons.

• Mechanisms for unfolding and stowing back again

o The deployment is today mostly a one-shot approach and there is little need to fold

back again.

o This situation may limit the breadth of synergies with OOO approaches where you will

need to design mechanisms that deploy, then fold back until next deployment is

needed.

• Approach for designing building blocks for mechanisms that could be produced in larger

quantities.

o Mechanisms are very specific and usually designed based on function and system

drivers. They are often quite unique.

• Separation of mechanisms by function

o Complementarity with other chapters (e.g. in OOO) but developments will have to be

done on both sides, with mission driven approaches. Some basic technologies and

solutions may be applicable to a variety of missions.

o Mechanisms is a domain where spin-in is also feeding the space sector in many ways

and some areas of spin-off have also been identified e.g. for the watch industry.

GOVERNANCE TOOL BOX

Governance Tool Box

The STEPP input was presented by EARTO representative Ana Maria Madrigal (CSEM). Her

presentation was followed by a Q&As session.


• General governance aspects:

o Funding (grants)

o Implementation mechanisms (IA/RIA)

• CPEP overview



o Mandatory steps to exist

o Tasks

• Governance option

• Scheme (SRIA Applicability)

The applicability of a CPEP for competitive space systems is an area where Stakeholders

convergence needs to be achieved

Q&As:


• The calendar of the CPEP

o The schedule for the SRIA is to arrive at a final version by the end of the year (COM)

o For the CPEP COM is pushing ahead with the various DGs involved.

▪ Towards the end of the year as well

▪ Lot of uncertainties

▪ Depends of MS and various stakeholders involved

o Associated countries

▪ They can participate to the grants but are not involved in the strategic

planning

This presentation closed the first day of the STEPP Consolidation & Review Workshop

WEDNESDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2019

ENABLING TECHNOLOGIES

Space propulsion

The STEPP input was presented by STEPP Contributors Tommaso Misuri (Sitael) and Dieter Feyhl

(ArianeGroup). Their presentation was followed by a Q&As session.


The topic covers in-space propulsion and the key driver of the proposal focuses on state-of-the-art

propulsion needs for competitiveness purposes and thus increase EU mission capabilities.

It will cover the needs of GEO platforms, with increased recourse to Electric propulsion systems. The

novel missions are still not very common today but may have strong potential for the future, such as

on orbit servicing and the exploitation of specific very low earth orbits. These new missions are long

term development drivers.

Today with propulsion systems Europe has the means to establish its leadership worldwide, eliminate

the dependence from non-EU technologies and pave the way for new propulsion concepts where EU

already has a significant head start.

There is a trend to produce propulsion systems cheaper, more effective and more sustainable.

To answer those various challenges, the Space Propulsion market could rely on a number of



Q&As:




• Electric propulsion as solution for in-orbit service

o Low-cost spacecraft should consider another propulsion system than electric

o It is a case by case analysis by mission on what will be the right propulsion

• Water as propellant

• Non-dependence

o Dependence from the US on pressure regulators

Power Solutions

The STEPP input was presented by STEPP Contributor Brice Dellandrea (Thales Alenia Space). His



The Power roadmap is extremely wide because it supports many spacecraft functions. As a result, this

proposal will include many crosslinks with the other proposals.

The focus in the work is to improve each unit of the power functional chain but also the components

involved. There are many units and subsystems for optimisation. Many developments have already

been initiated, particularly in the frame of Horizon 2020. It is a fast-evolving market where R&D has

limited funding. EU framework Programmes are interesting tools to reach faster the market in a more

efficient way.

All developments address the same aim i.e. improve spacecraft competitiveness focusing on mass

and volume optimisation and cost reductions with the preservation/enhancement of performance.

To answer those various challenges, the Power Solutions market could rely on a number of



Q&As:


• Balloons and airplanes needs have their specificities in terms of power

o they may require specific attention, and materialise synergies with space

developments

o Focus on high voltage and energy density and specific batteries.

• Smart connectors

o Very important for the payload, they are devices that can transmit at the same time

power and data

o Sort of small remote terminal unit (RTU)

Avionics

The STEPP input was presented by STEPP Contributors Brice Dellandrea (Thales Alenia Space)

and Cristina Tato (Sener). Their presentation was followed by a Q&As session.




The various mission requirements call for more performance and more autonomy for more ambitious

EU missions and for competitiveness improvement. In this regard, avionics is a key element providing

the infrastructure upon which user functionalities are implemented.

With insufficient avionics performance the user functions become uncompetitive. In the same way,

high avionics cost results in satellites that are not competitive. As a result, satellites are required to be

more flexible with a wider range of applications at lower cost and it implies new solutions implemented

by software and reconfigurable hardware.

End users are changing their mind concerning the reliability of electronics (see also the EEE roadmap

and the COTS discussion). It is thus crucial to improve the space sector use of commercial technology

in space applications.

Finally, satellite operations need to be modernised to provide new services and more autonomous

spacecraft. More precisely, spacecraft operations cost is a concern, in particular when larger fleets of

satellites will be operated in the future.

To answer those various challenges, the Avionics market could rely on a number of key



Q&As:


• Spin-in from ground automobility/ Automation/ Model-based systems engineering (MBSE)/

Artificial intelligence/ Optical navigation

o Software solution from machine learning.

• Attitude and Orbit Control System (AOCS) and the existence of micro MEMS gyroscope in the

market

System Security Solutions

The STEPP input was presented by STEPP Contributors François Carraud (Thales Alenia Space)

and Patrick Pleczon (Airbus DS). Their presentation was followed by a Q&As session.


The increase of threats in terms of number of attacks and complexity can be observed already today,

and will grow exponentially in the future.

The development of new applications will increase the security requirements in many different areas

e.g. collision risks, vulnerability of SW at spacecraft and at ground level, space tugs etc.

Those risks are multiplied by new systems future trends such as a high sensibility (critical applications/

telecommunications and M2M data) and new systems architecture (larger attack surface).

Techniques are already developed on ground in order to resist to cyber-attacks, the challenge today is

to tackle them and adapting to the space domain. As a result, security is also needed for commercial

and scientific systems and not only for military ones.

To answer those various challenges, the Systems Security Solutions market could rely on a

number of key developments which are deemed essential. Those challenges and the




Q&As:


• Applicability of solutions to both small and large systems

o A tool box to be used widely for both types of systems would be ideal

• Close approach in GEO

o Space tugs for example can be considered as a service but also as a

• Europe space-based cloud

o Not deemed as a good solution based on the example of France

• Spin-in and spin-off with defence

o Studies pushed by ESA and EDA are monitored closely

REINFORCE ACCESS TO SPACE

Modern, Flexible and Efficient European Launch and Test Infrastructure

The STEPP input was presented by STEPP Contributors Katia Fabbri (Vitrociset) and Pierre Yvart

(ArianeGroup). Their presentation was followed by a Q&As session.


A main driver for this proposal is relevant to seeking cost reductions for more competitive launcher

operations.

Another driver is the modernisation of ground facilities at large, in order to enable addressing new

markets and new launch concepts such as reusability, as well as autonomous and remote operations.

The main activities linked to these drivers are digitalisation, advanced data management over life

cycle, flexibility and configurability of ground services, modernisation of existing facilities, support for

new ones and the promotion of the use of existing space tests and launch facilities for new actors.

To answer those various challenges, the Launch and Test Infrastructure market could rely on a

number of key developments which are deemed essential. Those challenges and the


Q&As:


• New actors that could benefit from the service

o There are many companies developing new launcher concepts

o There is also the attraction to space transportation for new segments (e.g. Suborbital

flights)

o The idea is to enable European launch facilities to support these new systems and

operators. We shall open now study cases and designs for future customers.

Reusability

The STEPP input was presented by STEPP Contributor Paolo Binetti (ArianeGroup). His





Launcher industries are evolving in a highly competitive global launch service market with an

increasing number of competitors proposing attractive launch service prices.

A key aim is thus to improve the cost and the flexibility of our launchers and rely on competitiveness-

enhancing technologies like reusability.

The Key Development Areas presented are important for the launcher sector. Since these activities

are mostly related to current ESA development activities, what is proposed in the context of HE shall

be organised in complement and coordination with ESA.

To answer those various challenges, the Reusability market could rely on a number of key



Q&As:


• Competitiveness addressed by cost. Flexibility and availability are also important drivers

o Flexibility intended as responsiveness

• Health monitoring

o Some systems from the aeronautics should be used and some news must be thought.

o Need for several types of sensors

• Guidance Navigation and Control (GNC) availability to deliver the expected performance for in

flight activities in reusable systems

New Commercial Space Transportation

The STEPP input was presented by STEPP Contributor Paolo Binetti (ArianeGroup). His



The rationale overall is that the situation of the launch industry is well known: newcomers are

challenging European launch solutions. There is de facto a need for competitiveness improvement on

current launch solutions.

But at the same the use of space is changing. Indeed, more applications are emerging and there is a

need to address new uses of space, thus creating opportunities for new launch solutions. As an

example, mega constellations create market opportunities for micro and small launchers and/or for

dispenser for larger launchers.

The user base of space is also growing towards commercial customers. There are for example mining

projects, tourism projects, and other new prospects that may, in the future, require an extension of the

space transportation array of services.

It is also crucial to ensure now that Europe is not losing ground to the outside competition and is

present in the new developing markets and demands.

Since a variety of market evolutions are foreseen, the proposal focuses on creating the bricks that will

enable to address the whole set of space transportation solutions.

To answer those various challenges, the New Commercial Space Transportation market could

rely on a number of key developments which are deemed essential. Those challenges and the




Q&As:


• Space Traffic Management as considered in the proposal

• Projects in the 10-15 years to come

o Main sector need is to sell launchers in the first place.

o Today moving demand, which is moving away from basic launches to LEO/GEO.

o The development of services towards new space nodes has already been ongoing,

driven by new demand, for lunar orbit injection or for lunar landers (e.g.).

• One key evolution is that customers will not buy 'a launch' but rather 'a ticket on a launch'.

o The diversity of needs is higher than the number of launches that the sector will be

able to operate. Hence the need for flexible launch services, combining satellites of

many different classes on a single launcher.

• Prioritisation and focus of European efforts

o Cost reduction for the launch system is already a major development driver, because

today the cost of the launch is becoming predominant in the full system cost

approach. (i.e. the launch service cost may be higher than the cost of spacecraft

launched)

o Future services are less urgent and may focus first on the strongest business cases

CONTRIBUTION TO SPACE SCIENCE

Contribution to scientific missions

The STEPP input was presented by STEPP Contributor Athanasios Dafnis (RWTH Aachen). His



Space science is key to give EU a leading role in the grand areas of Space science. The proposal

shall contribute to developing precursor scientific missions and initiate new ones. Supporting it would

allow the creation of concepts and proposals for new space science missions, and the development of

innovative/disruptive instruments in an international and interdisciplinary environment. Maintaining

close cooperation with ESA’s missions and complementing and extending activities avoiding overlaps

shall be ensured. The area of the exploitation of scientific data delivered by European scientific and

exploration missions shall not be forgotten.

This proposal would also help EU grow further technologically by using widely and sustainably new

scientific findings and industrial developments. Moreover, it would extend general education and

knowledge of the EU citizens, boost knowledge and technology transfer from space to earth and foster

high quality/level scientific publications and data products.

To answer those various challenges, the Space science market could rely on a number of key



Q&As:


• Elements of interests

o Synergies with the other chapters deemed as essential



NEW INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES AND PRODUCTION TOOLS

New Industrial Processes and Production Tool

The STEPP input was presented by STEPP Contributor Bénédicte Gauthier-Prevost (Airbus DS).

Her presentation was followed by a Q&As session.


It is important to work on the way the sector produces and test space systems to increase its

competitiveness. This will address assembly, testing and delivering of products.

A key aim is the reduction of time to market by implementing new techniques and tools in the industrial

supply chain. Another aim is to reduce costs by digitalisation of the activity.

Furthermore, the new tools will enable to conceive and design systems that could not be conceived

previously. The impact of this proposal will thus go beyond competitiveness improvement but may

open the window to new system concepts overall.

The space systems factory of the future is organised around three pillars: the physical, the digital and

the human.

This proposal will include large areas of spin in from existing means and capabilities developed for

other sectors, but will have specificities that are not shared with other sectors (such as the inclusion of

environmental models, the relatively low quantities, specific quality control etc...).

This proposal is very transversal to access to launcher and spacecraft systems.

To answer those various challenges, the New Industrial Processes and Production Tool market

could rely on a number of key developments which are deemed essential. Those challenges

and the associated key developments and budget pointers can be in the Annex 1.

Q&As:


• Objectives

o The objectives are not only increase competitiveness but the developments will allow

to design spacecraft we could not design before

▪ It will allow us to do the design differently.

• Synergies and cooperation with other sectors

o However, suggestion to be cautious and explain clearly what is specific to space (high

quality standards, need for full trackability)

o Space sector is not working in isolation but we have specific needs but at the same

time need to looking to what other sectors are doing

WRAP-UP AND WAY FORWARD

Pierre Lionnet wraps ups the main finding from the workshop and paves the way forward.

Two key points to consider:



1. All the work presented during the workshop is the result of a collective work from experts

from a large array of companies and specific domains. The end of the workshop coincides

with the end of the first consolidation step. The status of the day is de facto a large

document identifying all the needs, scoping and budget guidelines for implementation.

2. The proposal is very complete and addresses the competitiveness part of Horizon Europe

The next steps ahead are:

• To make sure that the European Union recognises that Space sector requires specific

developments.

o Indeed, space systems evolve in outer space and have specific requirements not

applicable to Earth systems.

o Europe is one space power among others, united within the EU, ESA and at national

level. Those three dimensions need to work in harmony for Europe to stand strong

with the competition of the USA, China, and Russia, whose government investment in

space systems research, mostly fuelled by military developments, is much higher.

• The STEPP input presented here is designed to enable the emergence of a consolidated

SRIA for space technologies in Horizon Europe. The SRIA is an essential guidance

document for the EU to implement Horizon Europe.

o We need the SRIA to be supported by all the stakeholders involved.

o In the next meeting of the platform we have to make sure we raise those points and

move to a clear ambitious coordinated SRIA for Horizon Europe.

• On the 'partnership' approach:

o It is a complex achievement to have with its advantages and difficulties.

o It can be a managing structure for the SRIA.

o It can also go beyond (managing calls etc)

o But what we need first is a SRIA which will be a guiding document for the

Workprogramme.

Next steps at the level of the STEPP Project Team:

• Consolidation of all the work available today

• Produce a high-level document including the summary of key proposals and consolidation of

budget needs (overlapping and synergies; minimal and maximal budget

Regarding the Steering Committee at Director level on November 7th:

• The agenda of the meeting should include whether or not we can agree on a high level SRIA

and whether or not we want to complete it with budget pointers.

• The partnership should also be addressed.

Pierre Lionnet then thanked all the participants to the workshop, the contributing experts and

speakers, and the organising team that made the event possible, and closed the workshop.

STEPP CONSOLIDATION & REVIEW WORKSHOP · STEPP - A project funded by the European Union Summary of...

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