When Europe speaks of sovereignty in space, it is not just about rockets and satellites. It is also about the less visible, yet equally critical layer: communication between satellites and ground stations. Without efficient, reliable scheduling of these connections, data cannot be downloaded, missions cannot be re-tasked, and the value of Earth Observation (EO) diminishes.
Traditionally, this communication has been managed in isolation. Each operator builds and runs its own network of satellites and ground stations, scheduling contacts independently. While functional, this model produces bottlenecks and inefficiencies: unused ground stations, idle satellites, and missed opportunities to deliver timely data.
Domino-E’s Satellite Communication and Resource Management Service (SCRMS) is designed to address exactly this challenge. By treating satellite communication as a shared resource, it turns fragmentation into federation—boosting Europe’s capacity, competitiveness, and sovereignty.
From Isolation to Integration
As Jakub Rezler from ITTI, one of the architects of SCRMS, explains:
“We are the ones working on the Satellite Communication and Resource Management Service (SCRMS) in the DOMINO-E project. Essentially, you could say that we are positioned towards the latter stages of the workflow. The SCRMS itself acts as a kind of schedule maker for the communication between satellites and ground stations. It organizes these interactions to ensure that data transfer is as seamless and conflict-free as possible.”(Jakub Rezler, Domino-E interview)
This “schedule maker” role might sound simple, but it transforms how Europe manages its space assets. Instead of leaving each operator to optimize only its own satellites and ground stations, SCRMS introduces a federated layer where resources can be shared dynamically.
“In traditional systems, each operator focuses on their own network of satellites and ground stations, making decisions in isolation. The novelty of the DOMINO-E approach, and SCRMS in particular, is that it treats satellite networks as a shared resource. Instead of being confined to a single operator’s assets, the SCRMS enables multiple satellite owners to collaborate and utilize each other’s ground stations, leading to a more integrated and efficient operation.”(Jakub Rezler, Domino-E interview)
To illustrate, Rezler offers an analogy:
“An analogy might be car sharing. Imagine two companies, each with their own fleet of three cars. On a particular day, one of these companies might need five cars. They could borrow cars from the other company, but the challenge lies in determining whether it’s worth it in the long run. And it’s not just two companies involved; there might be three or four companies sharing resources. The SCRMS Domino is specifically designed to handle that complexity.”
(Jakub Rezler, Domino-E interview)
In space terms, this means that if one operator’s ground station is idle, another operator’s satellite can use it—provided the contracts and conditions are in place. It is not about pooling everything indiscriminately but about creating a dynamic marketplace for communication opportunities. This flexibility is crucial for Europe. Instead of investing in duplicative infrastructure, operators can maximize what already exists. The result: more data at lower cost, faster reaction times, and stronger collective capacity.
Complexity as a Competitive Frontier
Managing shared satellite communication resources is inherently complex. Each satellite follows specific trajectories, ground stations have limited capacity, and contractual agreements add yet another layer of constraints. Even coordinating a single satellite with one user is already a puzzle; once multiple operators, satellites, and stations are involved, the number of possible scenarios explodes exponentially.
To handle this, Domino-E relies on advanced optimization algorithms. The system does not simply generate a fixed schedule but continuously updates its plans as new data becomes available—whether that means a change in trajectory or a satellite becoming temporarily unavailable due to manoeuvres. This real-time adaptability is crucial for keeping communications efficient in dynamic environments. Adaptability here is not just a technical feature; it is a competitive edge. In fast-moving crises, Europe cannot afford rigid schedules. With Domino-E, flexibility in satellite communication becomes a matter of sovereignty.
From Emergencies to Efficiency
Philippe Pavero from Airbus Defence and Space highlights the practical stakes:
“Let’s imagine a situation with a disaster, a catastrophic event, a tsunami or an earthquake. So, we have the capacity to take images from space, and that is very, very useful for the on-ground help to the victims. But there are constraints to using the space assets. If the disaster happens three hours after you have uploaded the plan, you have no reactivity, you cannot do anything. You have to wait another three hours to upload a plan and then wait for the satellite to go over the disaster area. You could lose a day just to have these images.”(Philippe Pavero, Domino-E interview)
With SCRMS, such delays can be cut dramatically. By dynamically re-planning satellite contacts and using whichever ground stations are available, the system ensures that Europe can redirect its assets in real time. This responsiveness directly supports EU priorities like the Civil Protection Mechanism, which requires rapid situational awareness during crises. It also reinforces Europe’s ability to act autonomously in emergencies—without waiting for outside providers.
The long-term vision for SCRMS goes beyond technical coordination. Domino-E focuses on scaling Europe’s satellite operations in a way that remains cost-efficient and inclusive. The system is built to be cloud-based, ensuring scalability, and it uses optimization algorithms capable of handling multiple constellations and large numbers of satellites. This design allows Domino-E to manage the complexity of diverse networks while remaining flexible and future-proof.
The benefits extend well beyond major players. By dividing the ground segment into manageable parts, Domino-E lowers barriers for smaller companies to participate. What was once a closed, highly complex domain becomes an ecosystem where SMEs and new actors can contribute their expertise. This inclusiveness not only reduces costs but also broadens innovation capacity across the European space sector. Here again, the connection to EU policy is clear. The SME Strategy and European Union Digital Single Marketlegal framework both emphasize lowering barriers for small players to access strategic sectors. SCRMS delivers exactly that in satellite communications.
Conclusion: Toward a Shared European Sky
At its core, SCRMS embodies Domino-E’s wider philosophy: federation over isolation. By standardizing APIs and interfaces, it allows diverse players—large integrators, SMEs, national agencies—to collaborate without giving up independence. As Rezler puts it:
“DOMINO-E’s collaborative nature is one of its greatest strengths. By adopting standardized APIs and modular architecture, we make it easy for different companies to plug into our system. This encourages innovation because any organization that adheres to these standards can develop their own solutions, which then seamlessly integrate with the broader DOMINO-E framework.”(Jakub Rezler, Domino-E interview)
This is not just technical integration—it is political sovereignty. Europe reduces dependency on external networks, maximizes its own assets, and ensures that in moments of need, its satellites and ground stations serve European priorities first. The Satellite Communication and Resource Management Service (SCRMS) is therefore more than a scheduling tool: it is a shared, federated communication layer that coordinates assets, lowers costs, and strengthens autonomy.
By breaking down silos and enabling collaboration, SCRMS ensures Europe’s EO missions are not merely reactive but proactive—faster in crises, cheaper for operators, and more inclusive for SMEs. This is how Europe turns communication into competitiveness, and federation into sovereignty—charting a shared European sky where coordination, resilience, and innovation reinforce each other.