The Finnish company Iceye was given a big task: “Europe cannot defend what it cannot see”

The European Space Agency (Esa) has chosen a Finnish satellite company Iceyen to lead the consortium (Arise) that lays the foundation for a European space-based intelligence system. The system is meant to serve the needs of both defense and civil security.

The project, which will last a total of 20 months, will define the system’s space, ground and user segments, operating model, information security solutions and administrative structure.

The solutions made during the project will affect what Europe’s earth observation and intelligence capability will be like in the coming decades. The goal is to combine national, institutional and commercial capabilities into a common operational framework.

Along with Iceye, who will be given management responsibility, the core members of the European industrial coalition are Indra Space, Rheinmetall and Hidesat. Also included are, among other things Starion, T-Systems, SafranAI, Creotech Instruments and CTI Aerospace as well as several expert companies.

CEO and co-founder of Iceye Rafał Modrzewski according to the development of European space intelligence is crucial for the continent’s security.

“Europe cannot defend what it cannot see,” he commented in the company’s press release.

According to Modrzewski, the research that has been started now creates the basis for an architecture that strengthens security and crisis resistance in the future.

“It is the first step towards an allied system of interoperable sovereign space capabilities that provides Europe-wide security and situational awareness,” states Modrzewski.

According to him, the goal is also to strengthen the European space industry and ensure that critical technological capabilities remain in European hands.

CEO of Rheinmetall Digital Systems Timo Haas sees the project as part of a broader breakthrough in defense.

“Future defense capabilities will increasingly depend on the seamless integration of space, land, air, sea and digital operating environments. Consortia like Arise are an important step towards strengthening Europe’s resilience in this networked operating environment.”

Director of Esa’s earth observation programs Simonetta Cheli on the other hand, says that the decision is a “significant step” towards European self-sufficiency in space-based intelligence, which supports security and crisis resilience.

The results of the study serve as the basis for the implementation of the European Earth Observation Service System (Eogs) during the next EU multiannual financial framework in 2028–2034.