The European Commission (EC) is offering opportunities to demonstrate or validate in-orbit various experiments, including on ready-to-fly satellites.
The first step for those interested is to participate to the calls for expression of interest that are published here.
These calls are permanently open until 15 March 2027, with two cut-off dates per year, after each of which the EC evaluates the applications that have been submitted since the previous one. The next cut-off date is 1 October 2025.
The selected experiments that need to be placed on a satellite will be aggregated on a dedicated platform procured for that purpose – or proposed for a rideshare opportunity if relevant. The subsequent launch of the platform on a satellite will be done by one of the following European launch services providers: Arianespace SAS, Isar Aerospace Technologies SE, Orbital Express Launch Ltd., Payload Aerospace S.L., or Rocket Factory Augsburg AG. The services offered by the IOD/IOV programme include: system studies at ground and space level, including the compatibility with the available launchers; input to the launch mission analysis; selection, assembly, integration and testing of the spacecraft and related ground segment; management of interfaces with and between the different IOD/IOV experiments, between the spacecraft and the launcher and between the spacecraft and the ground segment; preparation of the spacecraft for the flight; in-orbit testing and operations including data provision. The provider only needs to pay, in principle, the costs of its own development up to and including the flight model, and to actively support the technical preparation listed above. Timing wise, the provider shall deliver its flight model within one year following the cut-off date. The launch service will, to the extent possible, be provided within six months following the flight model delivery.
The selected ready-to-fly satellites with a payload or a set of payloads to be tested will also be launched by one of the following European launch services providers: Arianespace SAS, Isar Aerospace Technologies SE, Orbital Express Launch Ltd., Payload Aerospace S.L., or Rocket Factory Augsburg AG. The provider only needs to pay the costs of its own development up to and including the flight model, and, unless it is a non-for-profit entity, contribute to the cost of the launch service, for an amount depending on the volume or weight of its satellite. Timing wise, the provider shall deliver its flight model within one to maximum two years following the cut-off date. The launch service will, to the extent possible, be provided within six months following the flight model delivery.
The IOD/IOV programme of the European Commission provides a valuable opportunity for all companies seeking space flight heritage in real conditions and environment. This is key to de-risk innovations such as new technologies, products, concepts and architectures. More information can be found here.
Contact
For enquiries, please contact us by email at: defis-iod-iov
ec [dot] europa [dot] eu (defis-iod-iov[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu).
