SkyLabs Joins European Defence Agency Project on Next-Generation Defense Satellites

SkyLabs has joined a new European research project aimed at developing future defense satellite technologies for operations in Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO). The project is managed by European Defence Agency (EDA).

The project, called VLEO-DEF, focuses on designing the first European defense satellite concept capable of sustained operations in Very Low Earth Orbit—an orbital region located roughly 250 to 350 kilometres above Earth. Operating satellites at such low altitudes could significantly improve the quality and speed of intelligence data for defence applications, enabling higher-resolution imagery and faster information transfer to decision-makers.

The initiative is backed by five European countries—Spain, France, Luxembourg, Portugal and Slovenia—and is funded through a €15.65 million research contract signed in March 2026. The project will run for 36 months and bring together a consortium of 17 European industrial and research organisations.

The consortium is led by the Spanish aerospace engineering company SENER and includes major European space industry players such as Airbus Defence and Space, Thales Alenia Space and Satlantis, among others.

As the Slovenian representative in the consortium, SkyLabs contributes its expertise in advanced satellite avionics and onboard data handling systems—critical technologies for next-generation satellite platforms.