Designing Space-based Downstream Applications with International Partners

Projects with international cooperation partner countries are expected to contribute to the three following high-level outcomes:

1. The use of EGNSS and sharing of expertise with public and/or private entities to introduce EU-space based applications/solutions leveraging their innovative, unique features, in particular Galileo differentiators (authentication, high accuracy) nd EU know-how.
2. The use of Copernicus data, to develop jointly algorithms, services and/or products, which serve local user needs and/or enhance the Copernicus global product quality.
3. The combined use of EGNSS and Copernicus to develop innovative downstream applications combining positing navigation and timing with Earth observation services.

Projects will also contribute to the following objectives:

• Lead to new or improved products, processes or services – using EU space technologies (Copernicus, EGNSS as enabler - that are capable of generating a marketable solution for the local market).
• Maximise and spread the benefits of space-based applications and solutions enabled by EGNSS and/or by Copernicus, to leverage downstream space excellence in particular of SMEs and universities, to facilitate investments and to foster market uptake.
• Create partnerships with non-EU entities towards commercialization, to trigger public and/or private investment from Europe and beyond to take advantage of market opportunities in Europe or local markets.

Build capacity and awareness raising, around EGNSS and Copernicus based applications and solutions, particularly in the regulated domains.

Proposals can target one or more of the three expected outcomes. Proposal can also include the use of other space based or non-spaced based assets and services, with a preference given to those based in the EU and in the international cooperation partners countries applying to these topics.

The actions should focus on technical developments of EU-space based applications/solutions, dissemination, awareness-raising, as well as provide opportunities for the creation of business-oriented partnerships of European industry with international partners. By doing so the action should be achieving a critical mass of space based-application success stories, demonstrating the advantages and differentiators of EU space based solutions and services and making it an attractive option for public authorities, private industries and private investors in Europe and elsewhere.

Cooperation with international partners, either public or private, is key to:

• promoting the uptake of satellite navigation , position and timing, to enable non EU countries to benefit from the advanced and unique features offered by EGNOS and Galileo, particularly in transport and regulated domains.
• promoting the uptake of Copernicus globally, exploiting possibilities for integrating in-situ, space data and information technologies. Building the Copernicus full, free and open data policy, the Commission seeks to facilitate access to Copernicus data and information for interested international partners. Administrative cooperation arrangements on Copernicus data access and Earth observation data exchange have already been signed with several countries; the United States, Australia, Ukraine, Chile, Colombia, Serbia, African Union, India and Brazil. Discussions towards similar cooperation have been started with other countries and regions (including United Nations Agencies and Asia-Pacific countries).

Tasks may include joint calibration and validation activities or integration of local in-situ systems to enhance the quality of data and service products. It is important to exploit the value-added of integration of EO observation technologies (both satellite, airborne and ground based) with positioning ones, and ICT (e.g. cloud computing) from international partner countries through the development of applications, and encourage their insertion into the market.

Technology promotion activities can include incentive schemes in the form of financial support to third parties, that will promote the uptake of space downstream applications across Europe and globally.

For proposals under this topic:

• Proposals dealing with EGNSS are encouraged to involve the relevant players on the European side whenever relevant (e.g. European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), European Satellite Service Providers (ESSP) or Member States’ Air Navigation Service Providers for EGNOS Safety of Life service to aviation, European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), ERA for other transports). Participation of industry, in particular SMEs, is encouraged;
• When dealing with Copernicus based applications, participation of at least one partner from a country that has signed a Copernicus Cooperation Arrangement is required; Proposals are encouraged to use the Copernicus Data and Information Access Services (DIAS), or other existing data access solutions instead of setting up their own download and processing infrastructure. They are also encouraged to integrate third-party data (including in-situ data) and envisage data assimilation into models and products made available on the Copernicus platform of the Copernicus services. Participation of partners involved in international GEO initiatives is encouraged. Participation of industry, in particular SMEs, is encouraged;
• Involvement of public authorities is encouraged, whenever relevant;
• Involvement of post-graduate scientists, engineers and researchers is encouraged, if relevant for the project.

Activities are expected to achieve TRL 3-4 by the end of the project – see General Annex B.