The European Defence Agency (EDA) has signed a contract worth €15.65 million with an industrial consortium to research Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) technologies, marking a new phase in military satellite development.
On 13 March 2026, the European Defence Agency announced the launch of the VLEO-DEF project, aimed at strengthening space defence capabilities. Funded by five member states and planned to last 36 months, this research and technology initiative seeks to design Europe’s first military VLEO satellite concept. The project will examine the military advantages and technical requirements of satellites operating at altitudes of approximately 250 to 350 kilometers above Earth.
Strategic Advantages and Intelligence Capabilities
VLEO satellites will operate much closer to Earth than existing satellite systems, offering significant advantages for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. The lower altitude is expected to enable much higher-resolution imagery, while the shorter distance for signal transmission will allow faster data delivery to military command structures. Moving satellite systems—one of the cornerstones of modern defence—to a closer orbit around the planet is considered a strategic step aimed at increasing operational efficiency.
Technical Challenges and Propulsion Technologies
Operating in the VLEO region presents major technical challenges due to atmospheric drag caused by higher atmospheric density at lower altitudes. To remain in orbit, satellites will require advanced propulsion systems, drag-resistant materials, and aerodynamic satellite designs. The project also includes preparations for a flight demonstration to validate key technologies in orbit, particularly propulsion systems designed to enable sustainable operations in this demanding environment.
Broad European Consortium
The project is led by the Spanish aerospace engineering company SENER and supported by Spain, France, Luxembourg, Portugal, and Slovenia. The consortium includes 17 European industrial and research organizations, among them Airbus Defence and Space, Thales Alenia Space, Deimos, Exotrail, and Satlantis.
Unlike the LEO2VLEO initiative launched by the European Defence Agency in 2024—which focused on satellites’ inter-orbit maneuver capabilities—the VLEO-DEF project concentrates specifically on the development of systems fully optimized for Very Low Earth Orbit operations.
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Source: C4Defence-ESA
