Future space ecosystems: on-orbit operations, new system concepts
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Future space ecosystems: on-orbit operations,
new system concepts
HORIZON-CL4-2021-SPACE-01-12
Scope 1: R&I on new scalable satellite platform concepts and building blocks
increasing the degree of satellite modularisation
Guidance Document for Horizon Europe Space
Work Programme 20211. Introduction
This document constitutes the guidance document to the 2021 Call for HORIZON-CL4-2021-SPACE-01-12:
Future space ecosystems: on-orbit operations, new system concepts. The document contains additional
description of work, in terms of goals, achievements, programmatic aspects and deliverables only
relevant for area (1) R&I on new scalable satellite platform concepts and building blocks increasing the
degree of satellite modularisation of the topic.
2. The Future Space Ecosystem
Space robotics, automation and AI combined with standardization, modularisation and digitalisation
have been identified worldwide and specifically by European actors as strategic elements for improving
aspects such as flexibility, cost-efficiency and protection of the in-space ecosystem as their applications
in on-orbit satellite services: an enabler for the green deal in space. The direct positive effect to develop
this line of solutions is the improvement of European competitiveness in key space areas. Upcoming
services in orbit will globally reduce the launch mass and life-cycle costs for satellite missions, promoting
the development of new space infrastructures, more sophisticated and flexible, while being cheaper.
Relevant R&I actions aim at the introduction of a sustainable, highly automated, flexible and economical
viable space infrastructure in a holistic approach, prepared to maximise commercial opportunities in
space and on earth: the future space ecosystem.
A paradigm shift from conventional concepts towards more adaptive and intelligent solutions, which are
strongly required to explore new business opportunities for European actors in space. The European
Commission entered already this path with the support of the PERASPERA and PERASPERA-X consortia
by implementing the activities in the H2020 Strategic Research Cluster (SRC) on Space Robotics
Technologies. 1
Together with the European stakeholders, the European Commission defined key areas in its Strategic
Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) for Space R&I 2 considering the H2020 activities, also for Future
Space Ecosystems: on orbit operations, new system concepts (Section 3.2 of the SRIA). Currently, the
Commission is elaborating High-Level Roadmaps3 based on the SRIA together with European
stakeholders which should serve as guidance for further R&I programming fostering On-Orbit
Servicing/Assembly/Manufacturing (OSAM), Recycling, in-space logistics, functional building blocks as
well as required tools for design, new approaches for production and testing. Robotic technologies,
coupled with the adoption of new industrial processes, modular and maintainable spacecraft designs,
architectures and approaches, digitalisation and artificial intelligence are at the core of this paradigm
shift towards intelligent space systems. These will change the way in which satellites/space
1
PERASPERA created a vision video giving an impression on a future space ecosystem
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuOXKrF_le4&t=8s
2
https://ec.europa.eu/docsroom/documents/39528
3
See Annex A for the DRAFT High-Level Roadmap for Future Space Ecosystem
2infrastructure elements are designed, produced, tested, transported and operated. Incorporating
experience, technology and processes known and successfully used in terrestrial sectors as well as
implementing effective measures for the successful exploitation of the efforts outcome will be
established. Different means like e.g., Design-to-Manufacture, Design-to-Customize or Design-to-Value
are being considered achieving benefits for future space systems such as overall cost reduction, multi-
mission ability, recyclability, rapid development/AIT/production, reduction of time to market and
protection of the space ecosystem.
Such paradigm shifts have been seen before. The automotive sector has successfully combined robotics,
autonomy and automation capabilities with cutting-edge industrial processes as well as the construction
kit approach to achieve mass-customisation, digitalisation, and cost-cutting. The IT sector has cultivated
the “AppStore” mentality and allows developers to build a huge array of applications from a few
fundamental tools. Apps come in all shapes and sizes and are affordable for both developers and users.
There is a separation between applications and operating systems, which could be transferred into
space sector like the separation between satellite platform and payload in a first step.
With sufficient strategic leverage, the space sector can generate similar benefits: The development,
qualification and testing of standardised building blocks can be achieved independently of the final
application. It can introduce rapid development, rapid production and rapid Assembly, Integration and
Testing (AIT). It will allow end-users to design unique solutions and cut their costs in the process as well
as simplify or even realise the integration of additional functionality to space systems at later stage in
the development process. This increases the flexibility already on ground before launch.
Analogous to the “AppStore” concept of the IT market, the envisaged Satellite Construction Kit will be
the ever-growing collection of standardised elements (functional modules, interconnects, etc.) out of
which small to big satellites could be upgraded/repurposed and later constructed/assembled based on
defined design principles (similar to what was done for instance for CubeSats). Ultimately, satellites can
be easily disassembled and recycled (or partially re-used).
A Future Space Ecosystem will leverage on extensive space system modularity and orbital services,
providing economic opportunities to European space actors, to deliver a flexible, affordable and
environmentally friendly space infrastructure serving the needs of European Citizens. This capital goal “a
paradigm shift towards a sustainable, flexible and competitive space infrastructure” cannot, and should
not, be achieved in a single stage.
The goal should be achieved by progressive stages, so to allow building confidence, in modularity and
flexible and smart servicing solutions, in a space community which may be sceptical or even threatened
by the change. Each stage should generate sufficient benefits for incumbents and newcomers so that
the commercial market associated to the Future Space Ecosystem is increased at each stage.
32.1 Relevant previous developments
Modularity and standardisation will help to maximize the number of satellites able to receive services,
make the operations safer and easier, creating a new range of upgrade possibilities, and reduce mission
costs and bringing the necessary affordability to the On-Orbit Servicing market.
Areas ripe for standardization would be docking fixtures and in-flight operable system interconnects.
The adoption of standard docking would make it easy to service many satellites by different service
providers, while system interconnects would allow payload exchange, or complete subsystem upgrades,
refuelling, even add capabilities to older satellites, a model analogous to USB ports on computers. If an
internationally accepted, standardized system interconnect exists, the creation of an ecosystem of
associated services becomes a real possibility. Standardised interconnects will enable flexible
modularity. Modular architectures offer operators the flexibility to adapt their own platforms to the
most profitable applications in a rapidly changing sector. Modularity allows for a versatile and flexible
system that can be configured/adapted/expanded with different building blocks, as user needs change
and technology evolve.
Modularity makes operability in space easier, pooling and sharing hardware (platform, service module,
payloads) to reduce the cost by a scale effect. Modular architectures in fact enable satellites with a wide
range of mass and size. A well-designed modular system can grow with the use while taking advantage
of all its modules. In space, the example of that is the ISS, which grew 10x its initial size.
The new on-orbit service concepts will in fact implement in the commercial space sector what is already
demonstrated by the ISS: long-lasting, flexible space infrastructure that is made possible by a satellite
architecture, designed to be modular, made of standardized building blocks and reconfigurable in space
via plug-and-play payloads.
Europe has quite a lot of activities ongoing and done in the past (last 5-8 years), which are relevant for
the future space ecosystem as described above. Especially, in the EU H2020 SRC Space Robotics
Technologies, important common and application specific technical building blocks were developed as
well as system studies performed. ESA conducted and still foster several activities in their Cleanspace
initiative. In Member States national programmes several activities have been implemented.
Proposals should explore relevant and promising solutions derived in Horizon 2020 activities as well as
solutions derived in other programmes. The following table links to ongoing and past relevant
developments (list not exhaustive).
Project/ Technology/Scope URL
Development
EROSS On-orbit servicing technologies https://eross-h2020.eu/
https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/821904
MOSAR Modular and Re-Configurable https://www.h2020-mosar.eu/
Spacecraft https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/821996
PULSAR Autonomous assembly of large https://www.h2020-pulsar.eu/
structures in space https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/821858
4SIROM Standard Interconnect http://www.h2020-sirom.eu/
https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/730035
https://www.aeroespacial.sener/en/pdf-sener-
special/sirom-brochure
https://www.aeroespacial.sener/en/products/
standard-interface-for-robotic-manipulation-
sirom
HOTDOCK Standard Interconnect https://owncloud.spaceapplications.com/owncl
oud/index.php/s/iiUVkZc8uA0Egw3
iBOSS / iSSI Standard Interconnect iSSI, www.iboss.space/issi-datasheet
Modules, Construction Kit, Virtual www.iboss.space/issi-icd
Design & Testbed https://www.iboss.space
EROSSplus Mission Study (Phase 0-B1) https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101004346
PERIOD Mission Study (Phase 0-B1) https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101004151
https://period-h2020.eu/
2.2 The EU orbital demonstration mission for On-Orbit Servicing
During Horizon 2020 the SRC on Space Robotics technologies, based on technology roadmapping inputs
provided by the PERASPERA consortium, implemented a staged development that moved from common
building block principles through to the first phases of a full orbital demonstrator. European consortia,
with technical coordination by the PERASPERA team, were funded by the European Commission to
develop these building blocks and to integrate them into systems that could demonstrate the sorts of
capability that would be fundamental the new system and mission concepts outlined above.
So far this work has resulted in unitary and partially integrated systems validated using a combination of
laboratory tests, field trials, and computer simulations. This cluster of activity has culminated in the first
phase of mission studies for a full, orbital demonstrator flight. These mission studies (see table above),
which cover Phases A and B1 of the prospective flight, will finish with a System Requirements Review of
the demonstrator, and will complete the H2020 Strategic Research Cluster.
The remainder of the demonstrator programme (Phases B2 through to F) is expected to be completed in
Horizon Europe (see HORIZON-CL4-2022-SPACE-01-11 for the next planned call covering phased B2-C).
The demonstrator will showcase relevant technologies with the expectation that some will be used
immediately after the in-flight demonstration in commercial activities. The demonstrator will also
address long term possibilities such as the demonstration of the foundations of future space ecosystem.
3. Objectives
The specific objectives of the first area of R&I referenced in the call are two-fold, and are presented
below.
3.1 Objective 1: First Functional Satellite Module
The first objective is the development of a functional module to upgrade a satellite platform as late
integration item. The functional module is expected to host a payload delivering new/additional
functionalities not foreseen by the hosting platform.
5The functional module, while meant to be late-integrated on ground is expected to be replaced on-orbit
(so it is functionally an Orbital Replacement Unit) by another having same form but different function.
To enable such functionalities the functional module includes at least 2 Standard Interconnects.
The functional module development shall cover the design, manufacturing assembly and verification
activities needed to achieve TRL5-6 and should be highly flexible with regard to the integration of
different interconnects (i.e. HOTDOCK, iSSI, SIROM).
Some examples of these module functionalities could be: Scientific experiment, telecom/navigation
payload, additional reaction control system, electric propulsion experiment, robotic payload.
The fulfillment of this objective will produce a basic module design, and prototype of it that will be
demonstrated as add-on to the EU orbital demonstration mission for On-Orbit Servicing (see HORIZON-
CL4-2022-SPACE-01-11).
The TRL increase of this basic module design and prototype, up to the level required by flight (TRL8) is
expected to be subject of future activities. The target-oriented use of the EU IOD/V service is
recommend to enhance maturation level in order to reduce development time and cost.
The joint demonstration of the EU orbital demonstration mission for On-Orbit Servicing with an
independently provided Orbital Replacement Unit (ORU) will allow validation of fundamental concepts
behind the satellite construction kit:
• Independent provision of modules by different vendors, only based on standard specs
• Late integration of payloads
• On-orbit exchange
3.2 Objective 2: Design and Development Specifications for a Satellite
Construction Kit
In the IT sector, the ‘AppStore’ concept is made possible by a development framework that foresees the
provision to app developers of a standard Application Programming interface (API) and component
libraries and of Integrated Development Environments (IDE). Similarly, to create a ‘satellite construction
kit’, developers of standard payloads will need to be provided with design specifications and with
standardised components (in this case the Standard Interconnect).
The second objective of the call is to provide a Design and development specification, a
taxonomy/ontology for the elements as well as applications and use cases for the ‘European construction
kit for satellite systems and applications’.
As a concrete output of the project to be funded, the Design and Development Specification for the
Satellite Construction Kit (DSSCK) should provide validated baseline requirements for elements of the
Satellite Construction Kit, such as e.g. functional modules and the functions integrated inside. It should
help future developers to design their functional modules and guide the validation and verification
needed to ensure a maximum of compatibility with next generation, in-orbit maintainable platforms as
well as to support simplified multi-mission applicability, distribution and integration.
6Specifically, the proposal should describe how the DSSCK shall introduce a suitable taxonomy/ontology
for the construction kit elements and fully define the single unit element while introducing specifications
for further elements (for example larger modules, special elements). Construction kits elements and
module specifications and operational aspects need also to be fully defined as a result of the project and
should be supported by analyses and if needed prototyping and tests.
The DSSCK should also define a Design, Validation and Verification Plan (DVVP) specifying all design,
analysis and testing activities required to enable a prospective module to be considered part of the
Satellite Construction Kit (i.e. certification process to meet specific quality level) as well as the
Documents Requirement Definitions (DRDs) for documenting the functional module characteristics
required for integration.
Finally, the project should further advance the development framework design by proceeding to a
conceptual definition of a first set of candidate functional modules to populate the ‘satellite
construction kit’ implementing payload as well as system functions.
The candidate functional modules should allow to construct different configurations of hybrid satellites
based on the same service module either by on-ground configuration or by on-orbit
addition/replacement and should be characterised in functions, performance, sizes resource use
/provision, orientation and stacking requirements.
4. Project Management
4.1 Schedule & Milestones
As the objective 1 of the call is the development of an Engineering Model (TRL 5/6) the project
milestones shall mimic the ones according to ECSS‐M‐ST‐10C up to and including CDR.
Additionally the project plan shall include progress meetings with presentations of work and
intermediate results at least with 4 months cadence (when not coinciding with reviews).
4.2 Duration
The recommended total duration of this Grant is 24 months. However, consortia are invited to propose
a different work plan that will meet the needs of the specific developments proposed. Nevertheless, the
work plan including any necessary delta work, must be compatible with the intention for late integration
of the payload on the platform developed in the Call HORIZON-CL4-2022-SPACE-01-11.
4.3 Reporting
Proposals must include as deliverables periodic reports on the status of work every 3 months. A project
meeting will be organised to present the progress to the funding authority. The short progress report
should record the technical description and state of advancement of the work and results in the
reference period, provide an updated schedule and an action item list.
4.4 Deliverables
7All documents must be delivered in draft format 10 working days ahead of the pertinent review and in
final format (integrating the amendments agreed in the review) 1 month after the review.
The project shall deliver documentation according to ECSS for the corresponding milestone/phase of
development.
Additionally,
• the above described DSSCK document,
• with an associated Design Justification File (DJF) presenting the rationale of the design and
development specifications, as well as
• Interface Control Document (ICD)
should be delivered.
8Annex
A. High-Level Roadmap for Future Space Ecosystem
B. List of acronyms
Acronym Comment
AIT Assembly, Integration and Testing
CDR Critical Design Review
Design Justification File Design Justification File
DRD Documents Requirement Definitions
DSSCK Design and Development Specification for the Satellite Construction Kit
DVVP Design, Validation and Verification Plan
ECSS European Cooperation for Space Standardization
ORU Orbital Replacement Unit
OSAM On-Orbit Servicing/Assembly/Manufacturing
SRC Strategic Research Cluster
SRIA Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda
TRL Technology Readiness Level
910
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