Euroconsult and Iceye are leading a new European EO consortium called AEGIS². Photo: Euroconsult

Euroconsult and Iceye are teaming up to lead a new consortium of European space companies conducting a study on a future European Union Earth observation governmental service. The new consortium announced Oct. 11 is named AEGIS², which stands for Advanced European Governmental Innovative ISR Secured Service. 

This comes after the European Commission requested feasibility study proposals to explore an EU Earth observation service for government-authorized users. The study is set to be completed in 12 months, and make recommendations to the European Commission. 

The group is made up of 15 members representing eight European countries: Belgium’s AerospaceLab; Poland’s CloudFerro; France’s Collecte Localisation Satellites (CLS), Satconsult, Sophia Engineering, and Unseenlabs; Germany’s European Space Imaging and IABG, Italy’s D-Orbit, Sitael, and Istituto Affari Internazionali; Spain’s Indra; and Slovakia’s 3IPK. 

Euroconsult highlighted the group’s experience in security expertise, operating constellations in Europe, and experience in novel capabilities like high-resolution hyperspectral systems and quantum encryption. 

“The consortium that we have assembled together with our valued partners at Iceye stands out mainly due to a finely tuned balance between experienced Earth Observation companies operating at the cutting edge of innovation and defense firms with unrivaled knowledge around security and resilience,” commented Euroconsult CEO Pacôme Révillon.