FP7 Cooperation

SPACE

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Funding opportunities in the SPACE Theme directed towards the participation of Mediterranean International Cooperation Partner countries.

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Projects covered by the following calls:

Call title: Space Call 4

• Call identifier: FP7-SPACE-2011-1

• Date of publication: 20 July 2010

• Deadline: 25 November 2010, at 17.00.00, Brussels local time

• Indicative budget: EUR 99 million

For further information and full details of this call, please consult the Space 2010 Work Programme at:

http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/dc/index.cfm?fuseaction=UserSite.CooperationDetailsCallPage&call_id=334

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Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that this document is accurate, the MIRA (Mediterranean, Innovation and Research Coordination Action) project cannot be held responsible for errors that may be found in it.

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SPA.2011.1.5-01 Prototype operational continuity of GMES services in the Marine Area

Previous FP7 activities have been advancing the pre-operational marine service capabilities by conducting the necessary research and development. To enable the move to full operations as of 2014, project funding is now targeting support to prototype operations, and developing the necessary management and coordination environment to provide GMES users with continuous access to the GMES service products, as well as the interfaces necessary to benefit from independent R&D activities.

Funding is to be provided using the combination of Coordination and Support Action (CSA) and Collaborative Project (CP) funding schemes in one project. The CSA can be utilised to finance "operational support", provided that this is in "support of research"25, and the CP can be utilised for providing necessary development work to sustain the operations of service chains.

Research in areas such as marine environment assessment and management is expected to

benefit from the output of such an operationally oriented CP-CSA project. This CP-CSA

should also prepare the ground for dedicated GMES Climate Change monitoring activities, and mitigation and adaptation policies which are to be further considered in future calls. The CSA funding should be targeted at running costs, staff efforts for data preparation, routine intervention in the service chain, user service desk and product delivery.

It should be noted that European Union financial support under the CSA part shall not include any capital investment costs for infrastructure, but focus on the additional costs of usage of already existing infrastructure, and sustaining the operational service, for instance through staff efforts and including running costs for high-performance computing.

Day to day maintenance of the service chain, to adapt it to new input data, making minor

improvements to existing production systems to maintain performance, investigating

performance problems arising, developing suitable solutions and upgrades to maintain

product delivery, and responding to user queries should be addressed. Development needs will have to be met with short response times (of about one year), and the R&D within this project is to be closely coupled to the operational needs.

The marine service is to produce generic services based upon the common-denominator ocean state variables that are required to help meet the needs for information of those responsible for environmental and civil security policy making, assessment and implementation. The marine  service is consisting of the following activities:

• Data acquisition from the ground segment of the space based observing systems and in

situ networks.

• Acquisition of atmospheric forcing data (atmospheric winds, temperatures, fluxes)

from National Meteorological Services and ECMWF.

• Compilation of these data into quality controlled thematic datasets suitable for the

generation of more extensive data sets for subsequent use, analytical products and

assimilation by ocean models. (Regular reviewing of accuracies and quality of information products should be undertaken). Thematic Assembly Centres are to be

formed in this task by the Thematic Groups that are in charge of compiling the following data sets: sea surface temperature, ocean colour, sea level, sea ice, surface winds and fluxes wind, and in situ data.

• Running of numerical ocean models in near real time to assimilate the thematic data

and generate analyses and forecasts from them to an agreed and generally perpetually repeating cycle. The centres also need to operate offline to produce re-analyses/hindcasts. Monitoring and Forecasting Centres are operating regional and global models: global, Arctic, Baltic, North West shelf, Irish-Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast, Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea.

• Preparation of products suitable for external service provision.  The proposal should include the arrangements made to obtain the necessary input data from other external initiatives and data providers such as EuroArgo (and Argo), drifters, moored buoys, XBTs, Ferry boxes etc. The proposal should also take into account the information that

could be provided under the current DG MARE's preparatory action (Call for tenders – ref. MARE/2010/02) for European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet) physical parameters which will be assembling real time and archived physical data.

The proposal will contribute to the implementation of the marine environmental reporting, especially under Marine Strategy Framework Directive, which establishes a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy26. The project should demonstrate and prove the mechanisms to be used in the post-2014 operational GMES phase, particularly how existing capabilities and capacities across Europe will be used effectively.

Proposals should structure their activities to ensure service provision until at least September 2014.

Space-based observation data necessary to the development of each project will have to be detailed in the proposals, particularly if the data needed is envisaged to be possibly provided, completely or in part, through the data access arrangements between the EU and ESA.

Funding schemes: one Combined Collaborative Project (Large-scale integrating project) and Coordination and Support Action with an upper eligibility limit of EUR 28 000 000 requested European Union contribution.

Note: Limits on the EU financial contribution apply. These are implemented strictly as formal eligibility criteria.

• Expected impact: The project is expected to provide a continuity to the pre-operational capacities achieved in the GMES research framework context, establishing a stable base on which operational activities with a starting point in late 2014 can be established. The project is expected to have a significant impact on the emergence of a technically robust and sustainable GMES service infrastructure in Europe, able to supply both source and interpreted data, as well as forecasts. The service should significantly contribute to the environmental information base allowing Europe to independently evaluate its policy responses in a reliable and timely manner.

SPA.2011.2.1-01 Exploitation of space science and exploration data

Space based observations play a leading role in Earth, Planetary, Universe, Environmental, Physical and Life sciences, providing a privileged vantage point of our planet and objects of the universe, especially when taken in synergy with ground based observations, data analysis and modelling tools and other research in laboratories. Collaborative proposals in the field of data exploitation are of particular importance since ESA has supported many science and exploration missions, but data analysis has mainly been limited to national effort on a project by project basis, therefore limiting a full exploitation of raw data.

Research projects are intended to strengthen cooperation on scientific problems including data exploitation related to space exploration, including astrophysical insights. To keep a realistic time and budgetary frame, the focus should be on robotic-exploration and pre-requisites to human exploration, such as biomedical studies. Widest use should be made from data gathered on European and international space missions, enhancing their value by combining these with non-space based research results. Results from in-space experiments (such as the International Space Station) could also be included in the research activities. Project proposals should clearly demonstrate how their proposed combination of data sets, e.g. from multiple sources or combining space and non-space based data, leads to strong synergies.

The Work Programme topic on space science and exploration is open to international

cooperation and should focus on downstream R&D activities complementing space missions, such as the effective scientific exploitation of existing data. Missions currently in operation produce data sets of potentially immense value for research but may need additional funding for a more comprehensive interpretation.

Cooperation with international partners from third countries (ICPC), or countries with S&T agreements, as well as other space-faring nations (e.g. US, Japan) will help to expand the use of data, the corresponding data processing and management methods in third countries, and enhance the relations with established space powers. Therefore such international partners will be eligible to participate and to be funded.

Funding schemes: Collaborative Projects (small or medium-scale focused research project) with upper eligibility limit of EUR 2 000 000 European Union requested contribution.

Note: Limits on the EC financial contribution apply. These are implemented strictly as formal eligibility criteria.

• Expected impact: Projects are expected to add value to space missions and earth based observations by significantly contributing to the effective scientific exploitation of collected data. They are expected to enable space researchers to take full advantage of the potential value of data sets.

Expanding the use of data the corresponding data processing and management methods in third countries, and enhance the relations with established space powers are regarded to add value to European space missions.

Projects are expected to contribute to the much needed coordination of the exploitation of existing and future data collection, and thereby enhancing the possibility to base research on datasets providing comprehensive or full coverage, while at the same time addressing the potential need for further analysis of existing datasets. It is also expected that the projects will facilitate access to and appropriate use of data for those scientists who are not part of the team having obtained it.

Furthermore, projects are expected to add value to existing activities on European and

national levels, and to raise the awareness of coordination and synergy efforts among

stakeholders.

SPA.2011.2.1-02 Research and development for space exploration

Technologies relevant for space exploration, with the focus on robotic explorations will be supported. Research proposals should cover topics such as innovative instrumentation (e.g. for the detection of traces of early life forms, for the preservation and the processing of the samples, to be acquired and analysed in situ or returned to the Earth), mobility on planetary surfaces (robotic exploration, rover, robots and cooperative systems), in-space and from surface propulsion (as well as entry, descent and soft and precision landing, in orbit rendezvous, capture and high precision attitude control systems), in-space power generation (as well as making use of novel power sources or photo-voltaic technologies) and innovative techniques for survivability in space, including habitation, life support and protection against environmental influences, including radiation. Activities should be in coherence with the existing and planned developments at ESA.

Human presence in space is costly, and to employ their unique capabilities as effectively as possible in space, in the short and medium term robots with autonomous capabilities and some form of artificial intelligence should be able to take over certain tasks from astronauts, thereby freeing them to perform complex or supervisory tasks. On the other hand, robots also extend human handling capabilities in space, outside habitable structures. In the long-term, assembly of space structures in orbit or on planetary surfaces could be performed by autonomous, distributed and co-operating robotic systems. To make such highly accurate maneuvers in space possible, also suitable micro-propulsion systems are sought which deliver the needed small thrust levels. Research proposals should cover topics preparing such advanced concepts for autonomous distributed and co-operating systems for future space application.

The participation of SMEs, the inclusion of international partners (from third countries

(ICPC), countries with S&T agreements as well as other space-faring nations (such as the

US and Japan) will help to advance technology and enhance the relations with established

space powers. These aspects should be taken into account in the proposal. International

partners will be eligible to participate and to be funded.

Funding schemes: Collaborative Projects (small or medium-scale focused research project) with upper eligibility limit of EUR 2 000 000 European Union requested contribution.

Note: Limits on the EU financial contribution apply. These are implemented strictly as formal eligibility criteria.

• Expected impact: Projects are expected to strive for innovative in-space technologies, which enable robotic exploration missions with a higher scientific return. Accomplishment of this objective will allow future space exploration mission planners to shift their focus from the difficulty of the journey to the science challenges at the destination. Projects are expected to improve robotics technologies, which enable meaningful planetary science under harsh and unexpected environments, and they are expected to provide new concepts for in-orbit operations, which will improve exploration mission concepts in terms of transportation time and reliability.

Projects are expected to complement planned space exploration missions by significantly

contributing to the availability of advanced transportation, robotics and GNC and attitude control technologies. It is expected that the project will be complementary to, and clearly demonstrates an added value to, the efforts already carried out in this field by ESA or at national level. Furthermore, projects are expected to contribute to the potential long-term preparation of human space flights and settlements on planets for the benefit of life on Earth.

Research funding in this area should have a beneficial economic impact on SMEs in the space sector. A strong participation of SMEs in the project should help to realise this impact.

SPA.2011.3.2-02 Facilitating access to space for small scale research missions

Cubesat platforms and other small-scale satellites have become an important standardised

base for conducting scientific experiments in space, giving both university and ommercial

researchers the means to access space. Despite an increasing popularity of Cubesats for

research, the lack of launch opportunities has limited the exploitation. Launch opportunities so far are mostly intended as a first step to boost hands-on development by students in complement with other education project activities, thus providing a suitable and qualified space workforce for the future. Additionally to such usage as an educational tool, valuable research and science by other research entities, including SMEs, could receive a boost, if suitable low cost launch possibilities were made available. Improved accessibility to low-cost launches will allow the placement of small-scale satellites into dedicated orbits optimised for specific research flights, rather than opportunity orbits only.

Integration of a large number of such experimental platforms on one launcher, allowing for the simultaneous launch of several different research missions can also lower access costs per satellite, but requires complex deployment mechanisms. The development of the interface suitable for a launch with a low-cost launcher should be included. Additionally, providing a means to utilise double-cubesats or multiple-cubesats in a modular approach would further enhance the exploitability of this universal platform. Furthermore, the technology developed should address the specific requirements necessary for orbit insertion suitable for formation flying or deployment of swarms of spacecraft.

Launch concepts affordable to the science community in Europe and/or the development of a mechanism suitable to deploy cubesats (or alternative nano-satellite platforms) are to be supported with funding, and a proposal should include demonstration. Such a demonstration should include payload placements in orbit performing realistic space based research, typical of the type of research flights to be offered in future. These experiments could encompass for example in-situ environmental monitoring in the thermosphere, climate-change monitoring, materials testing, in-orbit validation of components, medical or biological research or microgravity research. Proposals addressing several different experiments are preferred.

Appropriate attention should be given in proposals to the end of life de-orbiting of the

deployed space hardware.

The active participation of international partners (from third countries (ICPC)36, countries

with S&T agreements as well as other space-faring nations (such as the US and Japan) is

mandatory (eligibility criteria), and this has to contribute to the scientific and technological excellence of the project and/or lead to an increased impact of the project’s results.

International partners will be eligible to be funded. Proposers should therefore clarify how this international cooperation gives added value to European capacities.

Funding schemes: Collaborative Projects (small or medium-scale focused research project) with upper eligibility limit of EUR 8 million European Union requested contribution.

Note: Limits on the EU financial contribution apply. These are implemented strictly as formal eligibility criteria.

• Expected impact: Proposals are expected to contribute to the availability of affordable launch opportunities for the scientific community. The capability for realising specific research flight scenarios, possibly utilising complex multiple payload placements, should be enhanced, and the scope of achievable space-based experiments should be enlarged. The affordability and viability of the proposed research flight scenario(s) should be demonstrated.