October 16, 2023 — An innovative consortium of 15 European space leaders, under the leadership of Euroconsult and ICEYE, has been formed to address the European Commission’s call for a future satellite-enabled Earth Observation (EO) service. This collaborative effort, known as AEGIS (Advanced European Governmental Innovative ISR Secured Service), aims to investigate innovative, secured, and sustainable solutions for the European Union’s Earth-Observation governmental service.
The European Commission recognizes the evolving global geopolitical environment and the need for robust security. To meet the EU space strategy’s security and defense goals, they have initiated the development of an Earth Observation service tailored for EU governments. This service intends to provide continuous situational awareness information to authorized EU Member States and allied users.
AEGIS is committed to leveraging cutting-edge space technologies and operational concepts to realize the European Commission’s vision. The consortium brings together expertise in three key areas:
- Security Expertise: AEGIS includes experts experienced in handling classified information, delivering secure infrastructures and services to NATO, European Agencies, and Member States for defense and security purposes.
- Space Program Implementation: The consortium boasts leading private players operating Europe’s two largest satellite constellations, delivering SAR and ELINT services daily to public and private stakeholders.
- Innovation: AEGIS features innovative European companies specializing in key technologies such as high-resolution hyperspectral systems, inter-satellite links, quantum encryption, cloud computing, and big data analysis.
Pacôme Révillon, CEO of Euroconsult, emphasized the consortium’s unique composition, stating, “The consortium that we have assembled together with our valued partners at ICEYE stands out mainly due to a finely tuned balance between experienced Earth Observation companies operating at the cutting edge of innovation and defense firms with unrivaled knowledge around security and resilience.”
ICEYE CEO Rafal Modrzewski expressed their commitment to strengthening European Earth Observation capabilities, emphasizing the importance of timely and reliable data for national security.
The AEGIS consortium comprises a diverse group of organizations, including Midcaps, SMEs, research centers, and New Space companies from various European countries.
The feasibility study is projected to conclude within 12 months, culminating in recommendations to the European Commission. AEGIS aims to provide independent assessments of programmatic implementation options, supporting the future of the European Earth observation governmental service.
AEGIS Collaborators:
- AEROSPACELAB (BE)
- CLOUDFERRO (PL)
- COLLECTE LOCALISATION SATELLITE (FR)
- D-ORBIT (IT)
- EUROPEAN SPACE IMAGING (DE)
- IABG (DE)
- ISTITUTO AFFARI INTERNAZIONALI (IT)
- INDRA (ES)
- SATCONSULT (FR)
- SITAEL (IT)
- SOPHIA ENGINEERING (FR)
- UNSEENLABS (FR)
- 3IPK (SK)
