On Tuesday, March 17, 2026, GomSpace announced its selection as a key industrial partner in a €15.7 million research contract awarded by the European Defence Agency (EDA). The initiative, managed by the VLEO-DEF consortium, aims to develop Europe’s first dedicated military satellite concept for Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO).

GomSpace’s specific portion of the contract is valued at €445,000 (approximately 4.8 million SEK). The project marks one of the first EDA-funded defense initiatives involving the Danish-headquartered smallsat manufacturer, signaling a shift toward specialized military applications for its platform.

Strategic Shift to Very Low Earth Orbit

The VLEO-DEF program focuses on an orbital regime between 250 and 350 km above Earth. Operating at these altitudes provides several tactical advantages for defense users compared to standard Low Earth Orbit (LEO). By flying closer to the surface, satellites can achieve higher-resolution imagery with smaller optical payloads and significantly reduced signal latency for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.

However, VLEO presents significant engineering challenges, primarily atmospheric drag, which typically shortens mission life. The consortium will research propulsion and material technologies required to sustain prolonged operations in this dense orbital environment.

Consortium Structure and Governance

The VLEO-DEF consortium represents a multinational effort involving five EU Member States: Spain, France, Luxembourg, Portugal, and Slovenia. The group comprises 17 European industrial and research organizations.

GomSpace Luxembourg and its Advanced Mission team will lead the company’s technical contributions, focusing on autonomous mission operations and resilient system design. This involvement aligns with GomSpace’s broader strategy to expand its footprint within the European security sector.

“Our involvement in VLEO-DEF confirms GomSpace’s strategic direction: delivering high-performance, resilient space systems for defense customers, breaking ground on new advanced technologies like VLEO, and strengthening our footprint as a key European space industry partner,” said Edgar Milic, Vice President of Advanced Missions and Managing Director of GomSpace Luxembourg.

Technical Milestones to 2028

The research and technology project is structured to mature the satellite concept through 2028. GomSpace is scheduled to complete its assigned deliverables by the second half of that year. The findings from this study are expected to inform future EDA procurement for operational VLEO constellations, providing a blueprint for sovereign European ISR capabilities.