European Initiates €10 Million Project to Develop Military Satellite Constellation

Defense News ,Europe :-  The European Defence Agency (EDA) has initiated a groundbreaking €10 million project in collaboration with the Netherlands and Austria. Named LEO2VLEO: Military Crisis-Response Satellite Constellation, this venture aims to design, develop, launch, and operate a constellation comprising two to four satellites capable of maneuvering from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) and back.

Signed on January 19, 2024, at EDA's Capability Technology Area (CapTech) Space, the project represents a unique approach to space operations and holds the potential to support military endeavors once operational. EDA will provide continuous support throughout the project's lifecycle.

Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO), situated at an altitude of 250-350 kilometers, offers advantages such as closer proximity to Earth, facilitating higher resolution images from optical sensors, improved communications, and increased agility for satellites. The LEO2VLEO project's primary goal is to demonstrate the cost benefits of this innovative approach within a short timeframe.

The LEO2VLEO project recognizes that VLEO, while safer from space debris collisions due to eventual atmospheric burn-up, poses challenges related to surface erosion from atomic oxygen. Therefore, the development of satellites with more resistant materials becomes crucial for sustained operation in VLEO.

One of the project's key objectives is to create a satellite capable of maneuvering back into the traditional Low Earth Orbit (LEO), thereby extending its lifespan by utilizing VLEO only when necessary. This approach not only reduces costs but also opens up additional launch opportunities.

The EDA Hub for EU Defence Innovation, known as HEDI, has played a vital role by funding a preliminary study to address these challenges. Established in 2022 within EDA, HEDI focuses on fostering innovative solutions for military capabilities. If successful, the LEO2VLEO demonstrator could pave the way for a fully operational system supporting military missions in the future.