Overview
Pioneer is ESA Telecommunications programme to support emergence of new providers of innovative space-based services. Pioneer helps develop the infrastructure of these new companies for low cost and quick access to space. The capability to deliver space-based services is validated through at least one Pioneer flight mission.
Objectives
Pioneer objectives are to support industry competitiveness by:
i. lowering the entry barriers faced by public and private entities wishing to demonstrate new and advanced technologies, systems, services and applications in a representative operational environment; and
ii. attracting entrepreneurs and service providers in the satcom market, thus furthering the adoption of new satcom solutions.

Pioneer Private Partners
To reach the above objectives, the Agency supports the emergence of commercial entities interested in becoming one-stop-shop service providers for public and private customers. Pioneer private partners are expected to:
− act as a single interface point for their customers who want to demonstrate, validate or operate, in a representative environment, innovative solutions requiring new space segment elements
− offer an affordable and timely access to space for testing, validating and operating innovative solutions that require new space segment elements
− ensure that the operations and decommissioning of space infrastructure are compliant with relevant international standards and guidelines, including those related to space debris mitigation.
The Pioneer private partners need to be equipped with:
− capabilities and competences, including inter alia: end-to-end mission definition, design, assembly, integration and test, deployment, operation, decommissioning, frequency spectrum management, customer interface standardization and tools, etc.;
− infrastructure building blocks, including inter alia: satellite platform and payload, communication tools and equipment for mission payload data and TT&C uplink and downlink, launch services, insurance services, ground control station for teleporting and communication infrastructure services, etc.
Pioneer private partners are expected to maximise the re-use of existing capabilities and infrastructure building blocks.
Validating the Service In-Orbit
As part of the Pioneer Programme, each of the Space Mission Provider is expected to build and launch one (or more) in-orbit validation Mission(s) with the purpose of demonstrating the respective service and as a showcase for future customers.
The private partner shall commit to implement and validate the infrastructure and service provision platform as well as to implement and operate the validation mission. The private partner shall furthermore provide the necessary function and performance validation data to the Agency.
Pioneer Projects : 7* Space Mission Providers * independent contracts
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Sapion |
Internet of Things service | 3U | Launched in 2021 | Open Cosmos, UK |
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Striving |
IOV service | ~75 kg | Launch planned end 2022 | Sitael, Italy |
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IODA |
Multi-mission platform adaptation | Airbus, France | ||
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SAAS |
Aviation, maritime and data services | 3 to 6U | 16 launched in 2018 to 2021 3 to be launched in 2022 | Spire Global, UK |
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Faraday 2G |
IOV service | ~50 to 150 kg | 6U launched in 2021 Microsats to be launched in 2023 | In-Space Missions, UK |
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xSPANCION |
Machine to machine and Internet of Things service | 12 U | 2 planned in 2023 | AAC Clyde Space, UK |
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Edison** |
Optical space to ground service | 6U | 1 planned in 2023 (** Pioneer like ARTES CC) |
Six companies are currently signed up to Pioneer as SMPs, working to develop their infrastructure for in-orbit demonstration and other services provision.
A seventh company, Space Inventor, based in Denmark, is providing a similar service – on a smaller-scale “project Edison” for now.
News and Events
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Pacis 3 thermal model successfully proves its capacity to withstand heat in latest tests
The Pacis 3 Tx active antenna has sailed through its next major milestone on its path to validation for SpainSat NG. Airbus Defence and Space has successfully tested the Active Antenna Thermal Model at the IberEspacio facilities in Madrid. The…
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Eurostar Neo Solar Array Drive Mechanism Completes Qualification Testing
The Eurostar Neo Solar Array Drive Mechanism, developed within the framework of ESA’s Neosat Partnership Project by Airbus Defence and Space (UK) and incorporating a new Stepper Motor Gear from Reliance Precision (UK), is now qualified and ready…
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The Moon – where no satnav has gone before
The test version of a unique satellite navigation receiver has been delivered for integration testing on the Lunar Pathfinder spacecraft. The NaviMoon satnav receiver is designed to perform the farthest ever positioning fix from Earth, employing…
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Micro-geostationary satellite enters design phase
A small but powerful European telecommunications satellite – the first of a series – is to be developed under a contract signed today between ESA and SWISSto12, an innovative company based in Renens, Switzerland.
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ScyLight Industry Day - The Netherlands
The Strategic Programme Line (SPL) on Optical and Quantum communication - ScyLight aims to involve stakeholders of new services and technologies at the earliest possible stage, and to update them on relevant activities under the SPL. This is such…
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Opportunity: Single Channel Full Duplex Techniques for Satellite Communications (ARTES FPE 1B.133)
In most satellite communication systems, full duplex operation (i.e., simultaneous transmit and receive functionality) is achieved by using two separate frequency channels with spectral filtering employed to achieve the required isolation between…
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Data-relay system connects astronauts direct to Europe
Astronauts on board the International Space Station are connecting straight to Europe at light speed, thanks to the European Data Relay System.
An upgrade to the communications system is delivering broadband internet speeds similar to…
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Pacis 3 Mechanical Reflector Assembly on its way to a complete qualification
An innovative antenna pointing mechanism developed by Sener is currently going through the final functional test sequence that should conclude its qualification campaign for the Spainsat NG satellite in the frame of ESA’s Pacis 3 Partnership…
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Secure Spanish satellites start construction
Two telecommunications satellites that can be reprogrammed while in space to respond to changing demands on Earth have passed their critical design reviews.
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Software-defined OneSat ready for production
The latest type of telecommunication satellite that can respond from space to changing demands on Earth is about to start assembly of its electronic components.
The highly flexible satellite is setting a new paradigm for geostationary…
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Electra's Large Deployable Cooling Radiator Passes Deployment Test on Ground
The Electra deployable thermal radiator (DTR) has successfully passed its deployment test, simulating the in-orbit deployment of the large thermal radiator panel that significantly increases the payload heat rejection capability of OHB’s all-…
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Micro-geostationary satellite wins ESA support
A small European telecommunications satellite intended for launch into geostationary orbit some 36 000 kilometres above the Earth – which can be used as a basis for future satellites – has won support from ESA.
Directorate of Telecommunications and Integrated Applications
Directorate of Telecommunications and Integrated Applications
ECSAT
Directorate of Telecommunications and Integrated Applications
ESTEC