.@ThierryBreton, European Commissioner for Internal Market (incl Space!), is promising to outline in the next few weeks the architecture details for the proposed EU satellite megaconstellation. Speaking at 14th #BBESpaceConf 1/n
He mentions five points of importance. (1) The constellation will use all orbits, not just LEO; (2) Its governance will avoid dependencies on third countries (eg, nations like the UK would not be involved)... 14th #BBESpaceConf 2/n
... (3) It should offer a governmental and commercial service; (4) It will integrate from the start military usage and needs; (5) It should draw on the expertise of large corporations and start-ups. #BBESpaceConf 3/n
Legislative proposal to establish the megaconstellation to go to Member States and European Parliament shortly #BBESpaceConf 4/n
.@ThierryBreton: "Once presented, I count on the MS and the EP to move fast so we can hopefully conclude in a year's time the negotiation and have the first services deployed already by 2024. I know it is ambitious, but I know also that it is feasible." #BBESpaceConf 5/n
What was interesting about @ThierryBreton's speech this morning was the emphasis he put on defence and independent capability. European space infrastructures would increasingly be seen in this context, he said. 14th #BBESpaceConf 6/n
.@ThierryBreton: "We should develop new infrastructures as dual-use by design, integrating the defence need from the outset." #Galileo, obviously; but increasingly #Copernicus, too. 14th #BBESpaceConf 7/n
You could see the Dover Strait widening as he spoke. 🧐Joking aside, the more security elements that are put into EU space programmes, the more difficult it becomes for the present London government to participate. 14th #BBESpaceConf 8/n
In his later press call, @ThierryBreton said: "Copernicus has definitely real potential to increase its services in security and defence, and this is the area where we want to offer new capacities and technologies." 14th #BBESpaceConf 9/n
The view expressed at #BBESpaceConf is that the EU megaconstellation has to stand apart from other existing/proposed networks. "It cannot be a 'me too' constellation. We have to have a few differentiators that make the difference," said Evert Dudok of @AirbusSpace 10/n
List of wants? Quantum key distribution, optical links and higher-frequency radio bands, perhaps Q/V bands. Software-defined architecture to enable satellites to be updated easily. Embedded technologies/hosted payloads from 'new space' companies in Europe. 11/n #BBESpaceConf
.@steviecSES echos @JeanMarc_Nasr's message from last year 👇 about urgency. "We need to start bending metal this year," says Collar. "We're well prepared. We have a very clear idea of where we need to go... but we need to start. 12/n #BBESpaceConf bbc.co.uk/news/science-e…
.@steviecSES, of course, has the experience of rolling out and operating the #O3B constellation. "I think 2022 is the year where we have to make [the EU project] happen. I don't want to be here in January 2023 still talking about it." 13/n #BBESpaceConf
Update on #Sentinel1B. @ESA_EO director @SimonettaCheli says she's not giving up on the satellite. "You cannot say yet that the satellite is dead because the current investigation is still ongoing" #BBESpaceConf 15/n
A reminder that both power supply chains to the C-band radar antenna went down on 23 December. Next review board is planned for next week. More than 10 solutions are being tried to recover #Sentinel1B #BBESpaceConf 16/n
Discussions are being held with commercial partners, including @Iceye, about the possibility of providing #Sentinel1B users with alternative data in the meantime. #Sentinel1C should be ready in the autumn but then comes the problem of finding a rocket ride. 🚀 #BBESpaceConf 17/n
Dare I mention the ongoing saga of the UK's association to @CopernicusEU? Reminder: the UK wants to join (everyone wants the UK to join!) but @EU_Commission won't put pen to paper while differences over Brexit trading arrangements for Northern Ireland remain. #BBESpaceConf 18/n
The impasse creates a €750m hole in the Copernicus budget, but @ESA_EO director @SimonettaCheli says she can continue with the development of 6 new satellites "with the insertion of a new programatic milestone in June 2024". #BBESpaceConf 19/n
.@SimonettaCheli: "We will go ahead this year with the Preliminary Design Reviews of the 6 satellites, starting in February and ending in November, and the industrial world work will progress... #BBESpaceConf 20/n
.@SimonettaCheli: "...And with the money that we have today available, we will be able to go (ahead) just (by) committing on some things until 2024." #BBESpaceConf 21/n
This "kicking the can down the road" solution provides space for London and Brussels to sort their differences. The @EU_Commission has approved the idea and it will be formalised in the next couple of weeks. #BBESpaceConf 22/n
Of course, if we're still talking about this problem in June 2024, it will mean relations between the UK and the EU-27 will have really soured. And to state the obvious, one mission cannot wait until this deadline for a hard decision. That's #CO2M #BBESpaceConf 23/n
The carbon dioxide-monitoring constellation has to be in orbit in early 2026 at the latest to assist with the national emissions stocktaking exercise envisaged by #COP21Paris #BBESpaceConf 24/n
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