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Digital solutions for autonomy for space transportation systems, design and simulation tools

Full title in the source: Digital solutions for autonomy for space transportation systems, design and simulation tools - Digital enablers and building blocks (Space Partnership)

Opens 9 Mar 2027

The EU's Horizon Europe programme expects to make 2 awards of €2 million – €3 million each, from a total budget of €5 million. Applications close on 2 Sep 2027 (EU calls usually close at 17:00 Brussels time). Organisations in EU member states and Horizon Europe associated countries such as Türkiye can usually take part; the topic conditions control.

Expected outcome

The topic encompasses actions within the scope of the co-programmed European Partnership on Globally Competitive Space Systems (‘Space Partnership’) in the areas of satellite communication (SatCom), Earth Observation (EO) and New Commercial Space Transportation Solutions and is part of cohesive activities in the domain of digital developments under the grand heading of “digitalisation for commercial space solutions”.

Under the area of Access to Space related to New Space Transportation Solutions, this topic focusses on the maturation of disruptive/game changing digital technologies [1] required to strengthen competitiveness in this domain.

Project results are expected to contribute to one or several of the following expected outcomes:

• Improved space transportation systems and launcher sustainability, reduced costs and operational constraints as well as enhanced system monitoring and autonomy;

Scope

To tackle the above-mentioned expected outcomes, R&I is expected to address the maturation of disruptive/game changing digital technologies required to strengthen competitiveness in this domain and sustainability by assessing the impact of these technologies (e.g. by allowing the monitoring of sustainable solutions). More specifically, R&I in one or more of the following areas are expected to be addressed:

• Autonomy, data fusion, navigation, mission planning, and more specifically advanced algorithms for process automation and autonomous flight termination systems;

• Eco-design guidelines for end-to-end aspects and software design tools, and more specifically digital models of the launch system through the use of Model-Based System Engineering, and modelling/simulation of space activity impact on atmosphere;

• Landing solutions for reusability, specifically navigation data fusion for autonomous landing.

Who can apply

Consortium of at least 3 independent legal entities from 3 different EU Member States or associated countries, at least one in a Member State (Horizon Europe standard rule). Country restriction: participation is limited to legal entities established in Member States, Iceland and Norway and the following additional associated countries : Canada, New-Zealand, United Kingdom and Switzerland.

Applicant categories are a starting point. The official call decides eligibility.

Topics

STEP-Digital/deep tech

Timing

Single-stage call. Next deadline 2027-09-02. The portal states the exact cut-off time (EU calls usually close at 17:00 Brussels time).

How to apply

1. Read the full topic on the Funding & Tenders Portal: expected outcome, scope, type of action and the topic conditions, including any country restrictions.
2. Register each participating organisation in the Funding & Tenders Portal to get a PIC.
3. Consortium of at least 3 independent legal entities from 3 different EU Member States or associated countries (Horizon Europe standard rule; Türkiye is associated). Confirm in the topic conditions.
4. Prepare Part A (administrative forms and budget, completed in the portal) and Part B (the technical description on the official template for this type of action).
5. Submit in the portal before the cut-off time on the deadline day. Late submissions are not accepted.

From the call text

Who can apply

Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page

Company stage

Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page

Single applicant or consortium

Read the topic conditions on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal for eligible countries, consortium requirements, budget and the application route.

Where applicants must be based

Read the topic conditions on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal for eligible countries, consortium requirements, budget and the application route.

Where to apply

Read the topic conditions on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal for eligible countries, consortium requirements, budget and the application route.

Read the EU application guide

Where these facts come from

Official sources

Official call page

Facts on this page come from the funder’s official data, taken on 14 Nov 2026. The funder's own documents, including later amendments, always take precedence.

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