EDA and ISISPACE sign €10 million contract for pioneering LEO2VLEO military satellite constellation

The agreement was formalised at EDA headquarters in Brussels, with EDA Chief Executive André Denk and ISISPACE CEO Jeroen Rotteveel representing their respective organisations. The initiative is co-funded by the Netherlands’ Ministry of Defence and the Austrian Armed Forces, reflecting strong multinational cooperation.

LEO2VLEO will see the design, construction, launch and operation of a trio of 16U satellites over the next two years. This marks a significant advance in rapid-response satellite systems and the operational readiness of European defence infrastructure in space.

“LEO2VLEO is not just a demonstration of technology but a testament to our ability to work through multinational cooperation,” said Chief Executive Denk. “We are proud to support this pioneering effort that will strengthen the EU’s resilience and readiness in space, an increasingly contested domain.”

CEO Rotteveel expressed confidence in the project’s trajectory and its strategic value. “It is encouraging to see this project gaining momentum, as it is a crucial step towards developing the space systems necessary for ensuring Europe’s safety,” he said. “Together with our consortium partners, we are confident in our ability to quickly deliver the functionalities required by the Dutch and Austrian Ministries of Defence.”

The project represents a milestone for EDA’s Capability Technology Area (CapTech) Space, being the first European military satellite constellation designed to operate in both LEO and VLEO. This manoeuvrability enhances imaging resolution, operational responsiveness, and communication quality during defence missions.

By utilising Very Low Earth Orbit, the satellites will benefit from closer-range Earth observation and reduced latency, while limiting long-term space debris. The constellation will also serve as a proof of concept for critical military applications, such as navigational warfare and real-time Earth monitoring.

LEO2VLEO combines commercial off-the-shelf technology with extensive defence research and technology (R&T) to accelerate deployment. The project is underpinned by early studies from EDA’s Hub for EU Defence Innovation (HEDI), which supported the initial proof-of-concept framework in 2023.

In addition to validating in-orbit capabilities, the constellation will help develop pre-operational defence applications. If successful, this will lay the groundwork for a full-scale European military satellite network with enhanced strategic autonomy.

The project is led by ISISPACE and brings together a consortium of European partners, including Dawn Aerospace Nederland B.V., Fantana Defence and Space GmbH, ASA Astrosysteme GmbH, Graz University of Technology, Beyond Gravity Austria GmbH, and Joanneum Research Forschungsgesellschaft mbH.