Publié le 18 septembre 2026
Europe is taking a first concrete step towards a new secure Earth observation capability for government users. ESA has awarded parallel study contracts to ICEYE and Leonardo to help define the architecture of the future Earth Observation Governmental Service (EOGS).
Planned to start under the EU’s next Multiannual Financial Framework from 2028, EOGS is intended to provide secure, reliable and timely satellite-based information for security, defence, crisis response and preparedness across Europe.
Europe’s future governmental Earth observation capability is being prepared under ESA’s European Resilience from Space – Earth Observation (ERS-EO) programme, with a focus on secure and timely access to satellite information for both civilian and defence needs.
Image: ESA
ICEYE and Leonardo will each lead a European industrial consortium in parallel architecture studies. Their task is to examine the complete EOGS chain, from user requirements and satellites to ground systems, data processing, distribution and governance.
EOGS forms part of a broader European effort to strengthen resilience and strategic autonomy through space. The studies will help determine how existing national and commercial capabilities can be combined with new EU-owned infrastructure to provide authorised users with rapid and dependable Earth observation information.
Based on: European Space Agency (ESA), ESA awards contracts for Europe’s EOGS blueprint, 17 September 2026.