Start

01/03/2024

End

28/02/2026

Status

In progress

HORIZON EUROPE | GEORyder: Giving Back Access to the GEO Orbit Through a Reusable Kickstage Vehicle Allowing Transfer from GTO to GEO​

Start

01/03/2024

End

28/02/2026

Status

In progress

HORIZON EUROPE | GEORyder: Giving Back Access to the GEO Orbit Through a Reusable Kickstage Vehicle Allowing Transfer from GTO to GEO​

Cost-effective in-orbit coordination for greater GEO access in Europe

Geopolitical factors and Europe's reliance on Russian launches have implications for its access to geosynchronous equatorial orbit (GEO). The emergence of new players offering microsatellite services in GEO underscores the need for direct European access to this orbit. Moreover, cost constraints and forthcoming REACH regulations emphasise the importance of efficient orbital transfer vehicles (OTVs). With this in mind, the EU-funded GEORyder project integrates a green kick stage vehicle and OTVs to facilitate cost-effective in-orbit logistics and enhance GEO accessibility in Europe. The project emphasises the use of green propellants and anticipates future cryogenic storage and transfer logistics.

Objective

GEORyder addresses the Space Transportation technologies in support to In-orbit servicing systems subtopic.
The geopolitical situation has greatly impacted the ability of Europe to access GEO orbit without Russian Launch. In parallel, smaller newcomers are now proposing services based on microsatellite in GEO. Consequently there is an urgent need to facilitate access to direct GEO for Europe. Additionally, upcoming REACH regulations together with cost constraints will lend weight to the evident necessity for efficient orbital transfer vehicles (OTVs). Space Transportation will find new market & innovation through “In-Space” Logistics. In this context, the GEORyder project proposes a combination of a reusable Kickstage vehicle and OTVs equipped with rendez-vous and refuelling capabilities, allowing cost-effective in-orbit logistics, and providing a greater accessibility and affordability for GEO access for Europe. Notably, it will be using green propellant and will be designed to anticipate future cryogenic storage and transfer logistics.
Under the coordination of SME Infinite Orbits (FR) leading the mission design, the vehicle structure and industrialisation will be conducted by Berlin Space Tech. (DE), its propulsion and reusability will be the focus of Dawn Aerospace (NL). Additionally, a cryogenic propellant storage will be developed, with the aim of ensuring a sustainable propellant approach compliant to European Green Deal ambitions and ESA roadmap. Meanwhile, Space Application Services (BE) will manage the refuelling abilities. Deimos (SP) will handle the avionics on agnostic hardware architecture for electronics to ensure the versatility of the vehicle, said-electronics and software will be developed and provided by Skylabs (SL), and Politecnico di Milano (IT) will be focusing on the GNC and Proximity operation for rendez-vous and in-orbit services. Finally, Ariane Space (FR) will ensure the service commercialisation and market analysis.

SDGs :

#9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
#12 - Responsible Consumption and Production

More info: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101135095

  • Grant agreement ID

    101135095

  • Program

    HORIZON.2.4 - Digital, Industry and Space - Main Programme HORIZON.2.4.10 - Space, including Earth Observation

  • Call

    HORIZON-CL4-2023-SPACE-01

  • Topic

    HORIZON-CL4-2023-SPACE-01-22 - New space transportation solutions and services

  • Start date

    01-03-2024 | Length: 24 months

Research labs

  • SPIRE Lab - Surveillance and ProxImity operations REsearch Lab

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