Satellite firm to participate in European VLEO military satellite project
NewsMarch 18, 2026
AALBORG, Denmark. Satellite provider GomSpace will participate in the European Defence Agency's (EDA's) recently signed 15.65 million euro ($17.96 million) research contract to develop Europe's first dedicated very low Earth orbit (VLEO) military satellite concept, as part of the VLEO-DEF consortium.
The company says the contract win is a major milestone for GomSpace as it represents one of the first EDA-funded defense initiatives in which the company is directly involved; GomSpace's share in the program will be 445,000 euros ($512,333) and is planned to be delivered by the second half of 2028.
The EDA's overall research and technology project is tasked with designing a satellite optimized for sustained operation in VLEO, an orbit 250 to 350 km (roughly 155 to 217 miles) above Earth, a distance that which offers substantial operational advantages for defense users, including high-resolution Earth observation; reduced signal latency; and enhanced responsiveness for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.
The company says that its GomSpace Luxembourg and its Advanced Mission team will be contributing to the VLEO-DEF project in targeted areas.
