Consortium

The Malta Communication Authority (MCA) is the statutory body responsible for the regulation of the various electronic communications sectors, which include fixed and mobile telephony, Internet and TV distribution services. Furthermore, the Authority regulates two other sectors which are the postal services and the eCommerce sector. The MCA works closely with all relevant stakeholders at national and EU levels to ensure regulation is proportionate, reflects the challenges facing the sector, meets consumer needs now and in the future, and benefits the Maltese communications sector, leaving positive effects on the economy at large.

The European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) was initially established as a Community Agency on 12 July 2004, by Council Regulation (EC) 1321/2004, status amended in 2006 by Council Regulation (EC) No 1942/2006. Since 12 May 2021, EUSPA has officially succeeded the European GNSS Agency (GSA). EUSPA’s mission is to link space to user needs, and to achieve the highest return on European GNSS investment in terms of benefits to users, EU economic growth and competitiveness. The Agency manages the Galileo and EGNOS programmes, and remains active in various areas aimed at security, research and development, increasing space’s contribution to the EU market. EUSPA enables GNSS-based services, and continuously improves GNSS services & infrastructure. EUSPA is responsible for the security accreditation of all EU Space Programme components. In addition, EUSPA coordinates user-related aspects of GOVSATCOM. Thanks to its expertise, EUSPA has become the coordinator of the H2020 ENTRUSTED project.

Space is in Austria under the responsibility of the Ministry of Transport, Innovation and Technology. Within the ministry the department for space affairs coordinates the EU space policy including the respective space programme, the activities of the European Space Agency (ESA) and of the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) and represents Austria within these institutions and organisations. It contributes to and supports United Nations activities relating to space matters. Furthermore the department manages the national space programme and acts as focal point for public and private stakeholders in all matters relating to development the space sector at national and international level.

The Department of Electronic Communications of the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy (DMRIDP) is the competent authority of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus in Radiocommunications, Electronic Signatures, Information Society Strategy and Space Strategy issues. Regarding Space, DEC-DMRIDP represents the Republic of Cyprus in all committees of the EC related to space issues, like European Commission GNSS PC (GNSS Program Committee) responsible for GALILEO Program, the Copernicus Committee, as well as in the Governing Council of the European Space Authority GSA (European GNSS Space Agency) and GOVSATCOM committee. Also DEC-DMRIDP personnel follow the European Council Working Party related to Space and relevant committees of the European Space Agency (ESA), in which Cyprus is participating as a Cooperating State (ECS Agreement). In addition, an officer of the DEC-DMRIDP is a Program Committee Member of the H2020 PC Space.

The Ministry of the Interior Finland is responsible for the police, rescue services, emergency response centre operations, border management, maritime search and rescue, and migration. Finland is on top of critical communications; we have very close co-operation between different public safety authorities and understand the importance of enabling these authorities to communicate during mission critical situations. In 2019, Finland passed a law that will enable the transition from the current narrowband TETRA network to a new broadband public authority communications services. Due to the lack of infrastructure in the vast remote areas, especially in the northern Finland, in border and coastal areas, and the experience with heavy snows and forest fires that often damage the ground-based communications links, the need for secure, reliable and guaranteed capacity satellite communications is of utmost importance.

Founded in 1961, the Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES) is the government agency responsible for shaping and implementing France’s Space policy in Europe. Its task is to invent the Space systems of the future, bring Space technologies to maturity and guarantee France’s independent access to Space. CNES is a pivotal player in Europe’s Space programme, and a major source of initiatives and proposals that aim to maintain France and Europe’s competitive edge. It conceives and executes Space programs with its partners in the scientific community and industry, and is closely involved in many international cooperation programmes—the key to any far-reaching Space policy. The agency’s more-than 2,400-strong workforce constitutes an exceptional pool of talent, with some 1,800 engineers and executives. They work in four sites: Paris (headquarters), Daumesnil (launchers), Toulouse (orbital systems), and the Guyana Space centre in Kourou (launch base).

The Ministry of Digital Governance is the competent national authority for space and telecommunications, representing Greece in relevant European and international organisations. The Secretariat General of Telecommunications and Post (SGTP) is responsible for the development of reliable, secure and competitive telecommunications and postal services in Greece. It is also competent for the development of the national digital and space policy, and the Single Digital Market monitoring. The SGTP assures the best use of spectrum radio frequencies, facilitates the development of modern wireless mobile, satellite and broadcasting services, as well as the scientific research and development of innovative services, applications and equipment. The SGTP represents the country as a Governing Authority towards the European and international organisations (i.e., ITU, ESA, GSA, etc.), cooperates with other relevant national bodies (i.e., Ministries, Agencies, etc.) in relevant fields.

The Italian Space Agency (ASI), established in 1988, is a public body supervised by the Ministry of University and Research that cooperates with several other national institutions. ASI has become one of the most important global stakeholders on the scene of space science, satellite technologies and development of means to reach and explore the cosmos.  ASI plays a leading role at a European level, where Italy is the third major contributor to the European Space Agency, and globally. The Agency has a close working relationship with the NASA, which has led ASI to take part in some of the most interesting scientific missions in recent years.  ASI supports several projects for research activities and development of innovative telecommunication products and services, e.g., the ESA ARTES program (Advanced Research on Telecommunication Satellite Systems) or other EU H2020 funded projects (e.g., QV-lift, ENTRUSTED). Regarding national SATCOM capabilities, ASI contributed to the realisation of the ATHENA-FIDUS satellite system and is developing Ital-GovSatCom program, as Italian “Space Economy” initiative.  

The Luxembourg Space Agency (LSA) is in charge of civilian space affairs, representing Luxembourg in the various bodies of the European Commission (EC), the European Space Agency (ESA) and the United Nations for space related matters. In particular, LSA follows the development of ESA GOVSATCOM precursor services and contributes to the GOVSATCOM Expert Group of the EC. As the competent authority in Luxembourg to federate communities of civilian users, LSA’s primary contribution within ENTRUSTED lies in the identification of GOVSATCOM user needs. The agency will also liaise with the Directorate of Defence to reach non-civilians communities. Finally, LSA is responsible for the set-up of a live demonstration of use cases involving GovSat-1, the Luxembourg capability that provides secure, non-pre-emptible, reliable and accessible satellite communications for defence and civilian security applications.

The Netherlands Space Office (NSO) was established by the Dutch government to develop and implement the long-term Dutch space policy. NSO falls directly under the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate, and its office is situated within RVO. The director of the NSO reports to a steering committee representing the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate, Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management and Dutch Research Council. Space policy in the Netherlands focuses on international cooperation at a European level within ESA, the European Union and EUMETSAT. Our contribution to European objectives is determined by scientific, industrial and technological fields in which we excel. Equally important is the utilization of results from European initiatives in the Netherlands. NSO facilitates the application of space technology in other sectors and activities. National efforts are also focused on hosting ESTEC, the largest ESA establishment in Europe.

Polish Space Agency (POLSA) is a governmental executive agency responsible for the implementation of the Polish National Space Programme. The program provides a set of instruments to support companies entering the space sector, and to build their industrial capabilities. POLSA arranges professional advice for companies, informs about funding opportunities, facilitates business networking and promotes collaboration between space companies and research institutes. The Agency is engaged in activities related to national security, enhancing Polish defence capabilities through the use of satellite systems. POLSA fosters the introduction of satellite technology and services to public administration, including Earth observation, navigation and telecommunication services. It conducts educational activities to share knowledge on space and raise public awareness on satellite technologies. POLSA represents Poland in the European Space Agency and space-related programmes of the European Union.

Agência Espacial Portuguesa (Portugal Space) is the Portuguese Government's organisation to implement the National Space Strategy. The Portuguese Space Agency's main objective is to promote and strengthen the Spatial ecosystem and value chain in Portugal, for the benefit of society and the country's economy and the world, acting as a business and development unit for research entities and companies. Portugal Space coordinates Portuguese participation in several international organisations such as the ESA, advising the Portuguese Government on the contributions and subscriptions made to this European body. The Portuguese Space Agency also coordinates Portuguese participation in the ESO, the EST and the SKAO. Portugal Space is also Portugal's national representative in the European Commission for matters related to Space, namely the European Union Space Program and Horizon Europe and sits on the GSA Board (future EUSPA).

The Romanian Space Agency (ROSA) is the coordinator of Romania’s national and international space activities. The Romanian Space Agency is a public institution entirely self-funded, operating under Government Decision no. 923/20.11.1995 and the subsequent decisions of the Ministry of Research and Innovation. ROSA’s mission has four major components: to coordinate national space research and applications programs, to promote national space development, to represent the Romanian Government in international space cooperation programmes, to research space related issues through the ROSA Research Centre. ROSA designs and coordinates the implementation of the National Space Programme, it establishes cooperation agreements with international organisations, as well as bilateral cooperation agreements at governmental level. Together with the Ministry of External Affairs, ROSA represents Romania at the sessions of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Use of Outer Space and its sub-committees.

CDTI is a public business entity under the Ministry of Science and Innovation. The overall aim of CDTI is to increase the capabilities and competitiveness of Spanish companies in all technology intensive domains, and to foster the participation of Spanish industry in international cooperation programmes. Its core competencies are the funding of industrial R&D projects and the management of the Spanish participation in international R&D programmes and organisations. CDTI implements the government technology policy through its own industrial R&D programme. It also helps companies accessing high-technology industrial contracts generated by the European Space Agency (ESA), the European Laboratory for Particle Physics (CERN), the European Synchrotron (ESRF), Hispasat and Eumetsat. CDTI is involved in the execution of EU SST Programme, and plays the leading role in the EU flagship PSAs projects: EPIC and PERASPERA devoted to Space Vehicles Electric Propulsion and Space Robotics. CDTI is a member of the EC Govsatcom EG. CDTI has in Madrid and 12 branch offices located in 5 continents.

The Joint Research Centre (JRC) is the European Commission's science and knowledge service. The Centre supports EU policies with independent scientific evidence throughout the whole policy cycle. The Directorate on Space, Security & Migration, focuses on the security aspects of space, including Copernicus and Galileo's security applications, such as the Public Regulated Service (PRS). JRC also supports the security of critical European infrastructures, including space-related assets. JRC's work in the project will focus on standards & interoperability and research & innovation (R&I) planning, drawing from their previous experience with Galileo / EGNOS equipment for use by EU authorities. JRC aims to provide forward-looking and holistic scientific support, taking into account multidisciplinary aspects of the project.

The European Defence Agency (EDA) was established in 2004 with the aim to support Member States (MS) and the Council in improving European defence capabilities and to sustain the European Common Security and Defence Policy. 26 countries participate in EDA – all EU MS except Denmark. EDA acts as the main intergovernmental prioritisation instrument at EU level in support of defence capability development and provides a cooperation forum for MS, thus facilitating their engagement in capability development activities. EDA’s further mission is to stimulate defence Research and Technology (R&T) and strengthen the European defence industry. EDA acts as facilitator towards the European Commission and EU Agencies, and as the interface upon Member States’ request, exploiting wider EU policies to the benefit of Defence, and acting as a central operator with regard to EU funded defence-related activities. Projects relevant to ENTRUSTED are the EU SatCom Market project (providing commercially available SatCom services), and the EDA GOVSATCOM Pooling and Sharing Demonstration project (meeting GOVSATCOM demand of MS and European CSDP actors).

EFCA is a European Union Agency established in 2005, based in Vigo, Spain. Its mission is to promote the common standards for control, inspection and surveillance under the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) with a primary role in organising coordination and cooperation of national fisheries control and inspection activities, effectively and in a harmonised way. This includes the pooling of data and intelligence, joint risk analysis, inspection means, training of inspectors and the use of advanced surveillance and control technologies. EFCA assists the EU and MS in its international relations as well as in the global fight against Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fishing and also coordinates inspection and capacity building activities in international waters. As a broker of best practices, EFCA provides training for MS authorities and third countries.  EFCA currently charters a fisheries patrol vessel and may rent or charter additional assets. In cooperation with Frontex and EMSA, the agency also supports national authorities in carrying out other coastguard functions.

The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) was established by Regulation (EC) No 1406/2002, as a major source of support to the Commission and Member States in the field of maritime safety and prevention of ship pollution. The Agency provides technical assistance and support for the development and implementation of EU legislation on maritime safety, pollution by ships and maritime security. EMSA carries out a wide range of coastguard functions such as maritime safety, border and customs control, search and rescue, fisheries control, environmental protection. EMSA collaborates and provides support to more than 300 civilian and military authorities in the Member States and to several EU agencies, in particular to European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) and to European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA). EMSA is also the legal entity responsible for the implementation the Copernicus Maritime Surveillance service under a delegation agreement signed with the European Commission.

The European Union Satellite Centre (SatCen) supports the decision making and actions of the EU in the field of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), and in particular, the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). SatCen provides products and services resulting from the exploitation of relevant space assets and collateral data, including satellite and aerial imagery, and related services. SatCen is a key institution linking Space and Security, as well as a primary user of satellite data with extensive expertise on managing and disseminating products derived from data provide by commercial providers and from governmental systems. SatCen operates the Copernicus Security Service in Support to EU External Action, and supports the service provision for the Copernicus Security Service on Border Surveillance. The Centre also contributes to the European Space Situational Awareness (SSA) / Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST) service provision function.

The Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability (CPCC) is the European External Action Service (EEAS) Directorate serving as the Operational Headquarters for the civilian CSDP Missions. It is led by the Civilian Operations Commander. The civilian CSDP Missions promote stability and build resilience through strengthening rule of law in fragile environments. Our civilian experts advise and train local partners in Africa, Europe and the Middle East. The mandates of the civilian CSDP Missions are agreed by the Member States of the European Union and delivery is driven by the strategic leadership of the Civilian Operations Commander and under the political direction of the Political and Security Committee and the High Representative. The EU deploys currently 11 civilian CSDP Missions in Ukraine, Georgia, Kosovo, Libya, the Palestinian Territories (Ramallah and Rafah), Niger, Mali, Somalia, Iraq and the Central African Republic. Around 2,000 staff work in the field, and about 100 at headquarters.