Supporting Lunar Innovation: Meet the First Cohort of ESA’s Space Resources Accelerator
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ESA’s Business in Space Growth Network (BSGN) is bringing the next generation of lunar technologies closer to reality through its most recent Space Resources Accelerator. This programme brings together six pioneering ventures developing solutions that will shape future lunar exploration and in-situ resource utilisation (ISRU) value chain.
Selected from a competitive pool of applications from 14 different ESA Member States, these ventures are addressing key challenges in power, infrastructure and mobility—paving the way for a sustainable lunar exploration. Over the Acceleration phase, ESA and its partner ESRIC will support the teams of this first cohort of the new Space Resources Accelerator in refining their technologies, with the aim of executing an implementation plan to demonstrate their solutions in terrestrial environment.
Who’s in the First Cohort?
The six selected ventures represent a blend of early-stage start-ups and established innovators, all focused on tackling unique hurdles for the development of a lunar space resources value chain:
- FibreCoat (Germany): Specialists in manufacturing high-performance fibre materials, FibreCoat is working on solutions to enable resilient lunar infrastructure, a critical step for long-term exploration.
- Maana Electric (Luxembourg): Advancing ISRU technologies, Maana Electric is developing methods to produce solar panels from lunar regolith—a game-changer for sustainable power generation on the Moon.
- Orbital Matter (Poland): Focused on additive manufacturing in microgravity, Orbital Matter aims to enable the construction of key infrastructure directly on the lunar surface.
- Orbit Fab UK (United Kingdom): Innovators in orbital refuelling, Orbit Fab’s technology can support autonomous fuel transfer on the lunar surface, enabling sustained operations for rovers, landers and other key lunar assets.
- Space Power (United Kingdom): With solutions for power beaming and lunar dust mitigation, Space Power addresses two of the Moon’s most significant operational challenges.
- Volta Space Technologies (Canada): Developing space-based wireless power transmission systems, Volta is working towards affordable and reliable energy delivery for lunar surface and orbital assets.
Accelerating Progress for Lunar Exploration
The BSGN Space Resources Accelerator is part of ESA’s broader efforts to engage with private sector innovators and drive forward Moon-compatible technologies. By providing resources, technical expertise, commercialisation support and co-funding, the BSGN Industry Accelerators initiative supports ventures at a critical stage of development—moving from concept to demonstration.
What Comes Next?
The six ventures will begin the Acceleration Phase led by ESRIC in Q1 2025. Their goal is to finalise an implementation plan to demonstrate their solution in a suitable environment. Upon successful ESA approval of such plan, which involves also the assessment of the capability of each venture to pay for minimum 50% of the costs associated with the implementation plan, ESA will provide the remaining co-funding and allow the commercial projects to initiate the demonstration in the most suitable -like conditions.
As the BSGN Accelerator for Space Resources progresses, updates on each team’s achievements and technological milestones will be shared—showcasing the innovations that will enable and empower future missions to the Moon..
About ESA BSGN Industry Accelerators
The Business in Space Growth Network (BSGN) Industry Accelerators are designed to support commercial demand for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) activities in the current crucial stage between the International Space Station (ISS) era – which is coming to an end – and the post-ISS era, which will see many more commercial service providers to emerge. For LEO, the 3 BSGN Accelerators focus on different market segments: Life Sciences (including Biotechnologies and Pharmaceutical), In-space Manufacturing and Advnaced Materials, and Agri-Food. To date, via the 3 active BSGN Accelerators, ESA has unlocked €1.7M on private co-funding from 9 commercial projects supported.
In the lunar context instead, the BSGN Accelerator focuses on supporting the development of the future Space Resources value chain, fast-tracking innovation and bring commercially viable solutions to the forefront of lunar exploration. By connecting start-ups, scale-ups, and industry leaders with ESA resources and expertise, this initiative, led internally by Francesco Liucci, Innovation Manager at ESA, create a platform for technology development, investment and collaboration for these emerging space markets.
