Europe is moving forward with a Space-based early warning system to detect incoming ballistic and hypersonic threats. Perhaps not as ambitious as the Golden Dome initiative in the United States in terms of satellite numbers, the JEWEL (Joint Early Warning for a European Lookout) and eventual Odin’s Eye (multinatiOnal Development INitiative for a Space-based missilE earlY-warning architecturE) system do share common traits with the American proposal. Currently, Europe relies on information from United States’ assets.
As reported by the French Ministry of Defence, the JEWEL initiative will feature GEO (one or two each) satellites launched by both France and Germany. This is very similar to the current SBIRS and near-term future Next-Gen OPIR constellation of the United States. JEWEL’s architecture is planned to be a multi-layered system that combines new space-based infrared sensors with existing and future ground-based radars.
This combined European effort, with Odin’s Eye focusing on the technological development of the space segment and JEWEL providing the Franco-German leadership and operational framework for an initial capability by the early 2030s, is Europe’s response to the evolving global missile threat landscape. It’s broadly comparable in function, providing a persistent, space-based “hot launch” detection and tracking layer, to the U.S. Space Force’s program, Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (Next-Gen OPIR), which is designed to succeed the current Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS). However, Next-Gen OPIR is a significantly more mature and highly funded program, with a multi-orbit, multi-layer architecture incorporating new geosynchronous (GEO) and polar satellites, along with a proliferation of satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) for enhanced missile tracking.
At the center of the Odin’s Eye initiative is Germany’s OHB System AG. Acting as project coordinator and lead industrial contractor, OHB is responsible for managing the consortium of more than 30 partners from across the European Union and associated states. Under the framework of the European Defence Fund (EDF), OHB is steering efforts to design and validate the core technologies required for Europe’s independent space-based missile warning capability. This includes advanced infrared sensing payloads, data fusion algorithms, and resilient communication links to connect the space and ground segments.
OHB’s leadership role in Odin’s Eye builds on its established expertise in satellite design and system integration, demonstrated through its work on the Copernicus, Galileo, and Hera missions. For OHB, Odin’s Eye also represents a strategic evolution—from primarily civil and scientific missions toward defense and security applications—signaling the company’s growing role in Europe’s effort to achieve autonomy in critical space capabilities.
One thing both the U.S. and European initiatives share is uncertainty around their final architectures. The first Next-Gen OPIR satellite is nearing launch, but the full Golden Dome constellation will take years to implement. Similarly, Europe’s JEWEL and Odin’s Eye systems are only at the beginning of a long development arc.
Still, Europe’s pursuit of JEWEL and Odin’s Eye marks a decisive move toward strategic autonomy in space-based missile warning. Though still years from maturity, the effort signals Europe’s intent to close the gap with the United States and lessen reliance on external data. Success will depend on sustained political will, long-term funding, and the integration of national and EU programs into a unified early-warning network that can stand alongside its American counterpart.
Carter Palmer has long held a keen interest in military matters and aviation. As a FI's space systems analyst he is responsible for updating the reports and analyses within the Space Systems Forecast – Launch Vehicles & Manned Platforms and Space Systems Forecast – Satellites & Spacecraft products.
