Space weather has various effects on out technology. One important effect is on atmospheric density and thus space operations. Space weather driven atmospheric density variations in particular affect low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, which represent a several hundred million EUR per year business. These LEO satellites (which include the International Space Station) are crucial for earth observation and communication, are affected by space weather effects during all phases of their operational lifetime. Likewise, all rocket launches and re-entry events and some space debris are affected. A better understanding of space weather processes and their impact on atmospheric density is thus critical for satellite operations. The ‘Space Weather Atmosphere Model and Indices’ (SWAMI) project aims to enhance this understanding by: • developing improved neutral atmosphere and thermosphere models, • make a major leap forward by combining these physics-based and empirical models, • exploiting new geomagnetic, and • improve the forecast of the activity indices. The project stands out by providing an integrated approach to the satellite neutral environment, in which the various space weather drivers are addressed together with model improvement. The outcomes of SWAMI will provide a pathway to improved space weather services as the project will not only address the science issues, but also the transition of models into operational services. Our overarching aim is to give Europe a strategic advantage in whole atmosphere modelling, geomagnetic and solar activity forecasting, and the associated LEO satellite operator services for orbit maintenance, re-entry estimations, as well as launch operations. The objectives of the project are to: Develop a unique new whole atmosphere model, by extending and blending the Unified Model (UM), and the Drag Temperature Model (DTM), which are leading models of their kind in the field. A user-focused operational tool for satellite applications sh

The EFESTO (European Flexible hEat Shields: advanced TPS design and tests for future in-Orbit demonstration) end goal is to improve the TRL of Inflatable Heat Shields for re-entry vehicles from 3 to 4/5, and pave the way towards further improvements (TRL 6 with a future In-Orbit Demonstrator). EFESTO aims at (1) the definition of critical space mission scenarios (Earth and Mars applications) enabled by the use of advanced inflatable Thermal Protection Systems (TPS), (2) characterization of the operative environment and (3) validation by tests of both the flexible materials needed for the thermal protection (flexible thermal blanket will be tested in arcjet facility in both Earth and Martian environments) and the inflatable structure at 1:1 scale (exploring the morphing dynamics and materials response from packed to fully inflated configuration). These results will be injected into the consolidated design of a future In-Orbit Demonstrator mission. Fully in line with the call subtopic b, EFESTO will provide adv

Earth observation missions nowadays produce enormous amounts of data about the Earth, its resources and human operations. EO data products are fundamental to society, as shown by EC Copernicus, and are one of the cornerstones of what ESA terms Space 4.0, which is expected to transform the lives of citizens, policymakers and businesses in the near future. Current and emerging trends in the EO market, driven by the sharp growth in applications based on EO products, show greater demands in the amount, type and quality of the EO products available to End Users. Data latency is also a key metric, with End Users requiring products in a very short time period, with low latency (NRT) or very low latency. EO-ALERT addresses the need for increased data chain throughput within the COMPET-3 call. It proposes a fundamentally new approach for the provision of low latency EO data products, which exploits the flight segment processing capabilities and breaks with the traditional sequential EO data chain focused on the raw