European Space Agency (ESA), EU: Earth Explorer-12 mission ideas

04/05/2023

28/04/2024

The European Space Agency invites proposals for its Earth Explorer-12 mission ideas call. This supports proposals for ideas to be evaluated as potential Earth Explorer missions. These missions will provide data with which to conduct research in the field of Earth observation and/or to demonstrate the potential of new innovative Earth observation techniques of relevance to both the scientific and the application-oriented user communities. Funding will cover the whole development of the mission up to the end of the commissioning phase once the satellite is in orbit. A strict target of €310 million will cover all industrial development costs for the space segment. Proposals with more cost-effective solutions are also strongly encouraged. (Forecasted date for next year's call).

Proposals may address any Earth science topics relevant to the FutureEO programme and demonstrate scientific novelty and excellence. Projects may rely on innovative technologies by employing new approaches or observation techniques by which to deliver new scientific insights into the Earth system.

Proposals shall identify the lead proposer, who is a national from one of the Agency’s member states or ESA associated or cooperating states. Ideas shall be prepared by scientists (individually or in cooperation with other individuals and/or scientific institutes), and supported by technical experts from space industries in ESA’s member states or ESA cooperating states, with relevant experience in space hardware development. The entire team shall not exceed 12 persons and shall not differ from the team members listed in the letter of intent.