Request for Information (RFI) – Scaling Up Commercial Space Markets
ESA is inviting organisations to contribute to a Request for Information focused on scaling research and production in space across four emerging market areas: Health & Life Sciences, Advanced Materials & In-Space Manufacturing, Agri-food, and Space Resources for Construction Applications.
The RFI seeks insights from organisations active in these domains, including space and non-space companies, large corporates, SMEs, start-ups, investors, and other market actors. Respondents are invited to share their perspectives on market opportunities, key barriers, and the conditions needed to enable future growth.
Selected respondents will be invited to join a dedicated workshop at Space for Inspiration 2026, where they will gain insights from ESA and market leaders, and contribute to discussions on future approaches for scaling these markets.
This is an opportunity to take part in a dialogue on extending terrestrial markets into space and to help shape ESA’s future approach to enabling market growth.
Watch the recording from our Q&A Webinar, hosted by ESA, MEDES, the Satellite Applications Catapult, ESRIC, and STAM: RFI: Scaling Up Commercial Space Markets - Webinar Recording | Space for Inspiration 2026
Deadline for submissions: 10 July 2026. Read more and submit your proposal on OSIP
ESA appoints STAM as Managing Partner of the ESA BSGN Agri-Food Industry Accelerator, in partnership with SCM Europe
ESA BSGN Agri-Food Industry Accelerator aims to strengthen the connection between the European agri-food ecosystem and the emerging commercial space economy, supporting companies, startups, research organisations and industrial players in developing commercially viable projects leveraging Low Earth Orbit (LEO), microgravity research and space-enabled technologies.
The accelerator builds upon the experience and lessons learned from the first phase of the BSGN Agri-Food activities, which demonstrated the growing interest of terrestrial industries in applications ranging from sustainable agriculture and crop resilience to alternative proteins, fermentation processes, vertical farming and advanced food systems.
About the managing partners
STAM brings to the initiative more than 25 years of experience in advanced engineering, innovation management and commercialization support across sectors including space, defense, circular bio-economy and agri-food. Through its roles as ESA Technology Broker and ESA InCubed Ambassador in Italy, STAM has developed extensive experience in orchestrating innovation ecosystems, supporting venture creation and connecting public and private stakeholders around high-impact technology programmes.
SCM Europe contributes internationally recognised expertise in space commercialization and in-space business development. The company has extensive experience in microgravity applications, commercial low-Earth-orbit activities, customer interface development and the creation of acceleration and market stimulation initiatives dedicated to emerging in-space markets. SCM has also played a key role in previous BSGN activities and in supporting commercial projects involving research and manufacturing in orbit.
The partnership between STAM and SCM Europe originates from the joint work carried out by the two organisations on the commercialisation framework for ESA’s reusable space transportation system Space Rider. Through this collaboration, the teams contributed to the development of customer engagement models, commercialization pathways, and approaches aimed at enabling broader non-space participation in future in-orbit activities. The collaboration also builds upon the experience gained by STAM on enabling technologies for sustainable life-support systems and future off-Earth food production capabilities, in synergy with initiatives such as ESA’s MELiSSA programme, which has pioneered research on regenerative life-support systems, circular resource management and sustainable food production for long-duration space exploration missions.
Vision and Goals
Together, STAM and SCM Europe will implement an acceleration approach designed to bridge terrestrial market needs with space capabilities. The programme will combine ecosystem aggregation, targeted scouting, one-to-one acceleration support, technical mentoring and business coaching, matchmaking with Commercial Service Providers (CSPs), and support in accessing both ESA and non-ESA funding opportunities, including private funds. In addition, the accelerator may introduce challenge-driven activities aimed at engaging larger industrial players, corporates, investors and non-space stakeholders around concrete market needs and operational use cases.
This approach is intended to stimulate commercially-oriented innovation pathways, facilitate the creation of new partnerships and co-investment opportunities, and generate complementary pipelines of high-potential commercially-oriented projects.
The accelerator will focus on supporting projects across several strategic domains including crop management and monitoring, plant science, alternative proteins, food processing, sustainable production, packaging, fermentation technologies and advanced agri-food systems. These application areas have been identified as some of the most promising intersections between terrestrial agri-food challenges and space-enabled research and innovation.
By combining ESA’s strategic vision with the complementary expertise of STAM and SCM Europe, the ESA BSGN Agri-Food Industry Accelerator aims to contribute to the emergence of a new generation of commercially driven, space-enabled agri-food ventures capable of generating both terrestrial and in-space value.
Meet STAM and SCM Europe in person
The ESA BSGN Agri-food Industry Accelerator will officially be presented during the “Space for Inspiration” conference taking place in Copenhagen in September 2026, where STAM and SCM Europe will lead a dedicated session focused on the commercialization opportunities emerging at the intersection of space and the agri-food sector. The session will showcase the services offered by the accelerator, present upcoming open calls and illustrate how companies and innovators can access the programme to explore and develop space-enabled commercial projects, while highlighting success stories and emerging commercial opportunities enabled by microgravity research.
Upcoming activities will include stakeholder engagement actions, thematic webinars, targeted outreach to industrial and agri-food communities, matchmaking activities with investors and service providers, and the launch of new open calls aimed at identifying high-potential projects capable of progressing toward future implementation opportunities. The programme will also place strong emphasis on attracting terrestrial industrial actors and private co-funding, building upon the lessons learned regarding commercialization readiness and ecosystem engagement.
Space for Inspiration 2026 – Join the Academic Challenge (Closed)
Space for Inspiration (S4I) 2026 is ESA’s annual conference on commercialisation of space exploration, bringing together industry, researchers, investors, institutional stakeholders and innovators to accelerate commercial use cases enabled by space. The 2026 edition will take place in Copenhagen, Denmark, on 1–2 September 2026 and will provide an international forum to share results, compare approaches, build partnerships and identify practical pathways from demonstration to scale – across both microgravity-enabled innovation and lunar exploration enabling capabilities.
As part of the 2026 edition, ESA is launching the Academic Challenge: an opportunity for academic teams to put forward innovative research concepts with strong long-term commercial potential for in-orbit markets and the lunar space resources value chain.
The Challenge is designed to help promising research move closer to a market-relevant proposition by combining visibility, pitch preparation, and tailored follow-on support.
Submission deadline is on the 5 June 2026.
Who can apply:
The call is open to universities, research institutes, and academic laboratories based in ESA Member, Cooperating, or Associated States, with proposals led by PhD‑level researchers or above.
The Academic Challenge is divided into 3 Tracks:
- Track 1: Health & Life Sciences
- Track 2: Advanced Materials & In‑Space Manufacturing
- Track 3: Space Resources – Construction Applications
Meet the Academic Challenge – Step by Step:
Why you should submit your idea:
Ahead of the final pitch competition, shortlisted teams receive 2 dedicated pitch preparation sessions to help them translate their research into a clear, compelling pitch. This phase focuses on refining the core idea, sharpening its relevance to the selected track, and strengthening how the potential impact and application pathway are communicated to a non‑academic audience, with guidance from the relevant corresponding BSGN Industry Accelerator Track Leader.
Following the Pitch Competition, the winning project of each track receives tailored in‑kind support aimed at consolidating the outcomes of the process and preparing the project for its next development step. This post‑competition phase includes 3 sessions of technical support, 3 sessions of commercialisation support, and a Final Support Report. The winning teams will receive one-on-one technical and commercial support by Track Leader, reflect on feedback received during S4I, and clarify realistic next actions, resulting in a consolidated view of how the concept could progress beyond the research stage.
ESA Academy will financially support student representative/s of the selected teams to attend Space for Inspiration and pitch their ideas.
Webinar
The BSGN Industry Accelerators hosted a dedicated webinar to present each Track and provide additional insights into the opportunity. The Webinar introduced the focus and expectations of each Track, share practical guidance on what makes a strong proposal, and offer space for live Q&A with potential applicants.
Q&A
In terms of maturation and TRL, we welcome early-stage ideas and concepts, as the intention is to take on innovative ideas that have not yet been fully tested, in order to assess their technical viability and commercial potential along the way.
No. The winners of the Academic Challenge will receive in-kind support from the BSGN Accelerators. You will receive support from experts in the field to help mature your idea, both on the commercial and technical sides. No funding will be directly provided to the winners, but the support offered will help guide your project to the next stage.
When starting the application process on OSIP, you will find a set of questions in the application form. We are looking for an indication of the core concept. If there is some validation of the idea, it can also be mentioned there.
It is our intention to enable new commercial projects, while teams remain the owners of the concepts they share. The teams selected to participate in the pitch competition during the conference will decide what can be shared publicly on stage and to what extent they wish to disclose details of their projects.
Participation is restricted to organisations located in ESA Member States, Cooperating States, and Associated States.
Teams are welcome to apply even if they are not yet incorporated as a startup or company.
Absolutely, you can apply from your current stage, and you would be eligible. The winners will receive commercial and technical support from the accelerators, including guidance on finding funding and better understanding the specific needs of each project.
The Academic Challenge does not include a dedicated track for the agri-food industry, but we encourage relevant entities to stay tuned, as we will soon announce the new managing partner for the agri-food accelerator, and new calls will follow.
Each track winner will receive in-kind support from the BSGN Industry Accelerator, consisting of 3 sessions/workshops of technical support and 3 sessions/workshops of commercialisation support.
At the end of the support period, the Managing Partner will deliver a Final Support Report including a summary of the winning solution, details of the maturation achieved, and recommended next steps (e.g. BSGN Industry Accelerator full entry, ESA BIC, and other relevant ESA funding tools and programmes).
No funding is provided at the application or support stages.
The Academic Challenge is designed for researchers and academic entities. Private companies can be included if there is a partnership with a research organisation or PhD students.
Application
Full details about the call, the Tracks, and the application process are available on ESA’s Open Space Innovation Platform (OSIP). Applicants are invited to explore the information provided and submit their ideas no later than 5 June 2026.
Call for ideas: Quantum Technology for Space Exploration (Closed)
ESA launches an OSIP campaign inviting ideas on how quantum technologies could support future exploration missions. Submit proposals by 12 April 2026.
ESA’s Human and Robotic Exploration Directorate is inviting the quantum technology community to contribute ideas through a new Open Space Innovation Platform (OSIP) campaign focused on space exploration.
Quantum technologies are advancing rapidly and may offer new possibilities for mission design, operations, and scientific discovery. This campaign explores how quantum computing, sensing, communication and materials could contribute to future exploration missions in Low Earth Orbit, the Moon and Mars, supporting ESA’s Explore 2040 strategy.
The call welcomes ideas across all technology readiness levels, including studies, software concepts, sensing technologies, communication architectures, materials research and early demonstrations.
Submissions should outline the potential quantum advantage, describe the mission context (LEO, Moon or Mars) and indicate possible benefits such as improved precision, operational efficiency or enhanced scientific return.
Selected contributors will be invited to participate in a strategic workshop in Q2 2026 to exchange insights, identify synergies and codevelop a preliminary roadmap for quantum integration into ESA’s exploration activities.
While this first phase is not funded, strong proposals may inform future co-funded opportunities, thematic calls or collaborative working groups.
About OSIP
The Open Space Innovation Platform (OSIP) is ESA’s main entry point for new ideas from the space community. It allows individuals, companies and research organisations to submit innovative concepts in response to specific campaigns or broader thematic channels.
How to submit:
- Follow the submission link and click the “Submit Your Idea” button.
- Complete the submission form by filling in all required information. You may save your entry as a draft if it’s not yet complete, or click “Submit Idea” once all information is finalized.
- Contact the designated contact persons if you need clarification about the call or the submission process.
- Submission deadline extended to April 26, 2026
Submission link: Open Space Innovation Platform - OSIP - Campaign: Call for Ideas: Quantum Technology for Space Exploration
Content Contact Person(s)
- Fisayo Banjoko, Software and AI Team, HRE-FI
- Lisa Denzer, Software and AI Team, HRE-FI
Space for Inspiration 2026 - Call for Programme Agenda Contributions (Closed)
Space for Inspiration (S4I) 2026 is ESA’s annual conference dedicated to the commercialisation of space exploration, bringing together industry, researchers, investors, institutional stakeholders and innovators to accelerate commercial use cases enabled by space. The 2026 edition will take place in Copenhagen, Denmark, on 1–2 September 2026 and will provide an international forum to share results, compare approaches, build partnerships and identify practical pathways from demonstration to scale – across both microgravity-enabled innovation and lunar exploration enabling capabilities.
This year, the programme is structured around four themes:
- Life Sciences (pharma/biotech/medtech) (microgravity)
Microgravity offers a unique environment to study biological processes and develop products and manufacturing pathways that are difficult or impossible to replicate on Earth. This theme welcomes contributions related to R&D and translation, including therapeutic discovery and development, bioprocessing, diagnostics, medical devices, digital health enablers, and platform technologies supporting validation in orbit. Contributions are also invited on research and innovation supporting astronaut health and wellbeing – including monitoring, prevention and countermeasures for spaceflight risks – and on synergistic innovations with dual benefits for space and terrestrial healthcare applications.
2. Advanced Materials and In-Space Manufacturing (microgravity)
Microgravity can enable new material behaviours and higher-quality outputs by reducing convection-driven effects and enabling highly controlled processes. Sustained activity in Low Earth Orbit and beyond will also depend on progress in in-orbit manufacturing capabilities. Contributions are invited on novel materials, improved performance or purity, characterisation methods, manufacturing processes, automation and operations concepts, quality assurance, scale-up considerations, and enabling technologies that support repeatable production in space.
3. Agri-Food (microgravity)
This theme focuses on microgravity-enabled innovation for food systems and bio-production. Contributions are invited on bioprocessing and fermentation, novel ingredients (including alternative proteins), controlled-environment cultivation and plant/seed biology, food quality and safety, and packaging, stability and shelf-life solutions, along with translation pathways to terrestrial applications and markets. Contributions are also invited on food systems and closed-loop approaches for deep space exploration, including resource-efficient production, waste-to-value processes and food-related life-support interfaces, as well as synergistic innovations with dual benefits for space and terrestrial agri-food systems.
4. Lunar Space Resources, with a focus on construction-related applications
A sustainable lunar presence depends on the ability to use local resources – primarily regolith and water ice – to reduce reliance on Earth supply chains. This theme invites contributions on lunar resource utilisation pathways that enable construction and infrastructure, including excavation and handling, processing, binders and building materials, landing pad and road solutions, radiation shielding, standards and verification, and end-to-end value chain considerations.
Call for Contributions
Space for Inspiration welcomes contributions from organisations and individuals across the space ecosystem and relevant terrestrial markets—whether you are developing technology, running experiments, building services, funding ventures, or generating evidence that supports adoption. Submissions may include proposals for keynote sessions, panel discussions and workshops, covering technical progress, market insights, lessons learned from demonstrations, operational and regulatory perspectives, business and investment considerations, and collaborative models that help move from pilots to scalable, repeatable activity.
The call is open until 3 April 2026.
Meet the Second Cohort of ESA's Advanced Materials and In-Orbit Manufacturing Accelerator
Following the 2nd Call of the BSGN Advanced Materials and In-orbit Manufacturing Industry Accelerator in June 2025, three groundbreaking projects have been selected for acceleration and deployment in orbit: Starflight Dynamics, ArcSpace and Flawless Photonics.
Selected from a competitive pool of 18 applications across 10 ESA Member States, these projects aim to develop commercial solutions in advanced materials and in-space manufacturing domains by boosting their R&D through the unique properties of the space environment. During the Acceleration phase, The Business in Space Growth Network (BSGN), in collaboration with the Satellite Applications Catapult, the managing partner of the Advanced Materials and In-orbit Manufacturing accelerator will support the consortiums of this second cohort in refining technical and commercial plans, preparing the selected projects for implementation and deployment in orbit.
Who’s in the second cohort?
ArcSpace
Scalable in-orbit Electron Beam joining & cutting process for assembly & manufacturing operations
Lead Entity: ArcSpace (Startup, France)
Key Partners: CNRS – LPGP laboratory (France)
In-Orbit Manufacturing (IOM) is being held back due to the lack of available in-space tools/processes, preventing space mission and infrastructure designers from rapidly designing and testing breakthrough products. ArcSpace has developed a sustainable on-orbit joining and cutting solution based on Electron Beam technology, filling this capability gap for near-term in-orbit servicing applications, microgravity materials processing, and long-term in-space assembly of critical systems and large structures.
This mission will deliver a first-of-its-kind in-orbit demonstration of the company’s core welding technology, showcasing safe and controlled welding in microgravity through an innovative contamination-management approach. By proving this critical capability in space, the mission sets the stage for the commercial rollout of the company’s flagship offering: welding-based in-orbit servicing solutions designed to support sustainability and high-value dual-use applications.
Starflight Dynamics / Levion Materials
Zero-Gravity Growth of Next-Gen Semiconductor Materials
Lead Entity: Starflight Dynamics (Startup, Germany)
Key Partners: JX Advanced Metals Corporation (Japan)
Levion Materials (the newly established specialty division of Starflight Dynamics) aims to produce a new class of semiconductor materials by taking its manufacturing to space.
As disruptive effects like convection, segregation, and sedimentation driven by buoyancy are minimized under microgravity, this new approach leads to the formation of significantly defect-reduced crystals, resulting in ultra-pure materials of a quality fundamentally unachievable on Earth.
This concept builds on well-established growth methods (such as Travelling-Heater-Method and Bridgman technique) and combines precise thermal control with space-ready ampoule technology to create crystals ideal for next-generation electronics, sensing, and quantum applications among others.
Levion is therefore addressing the pressing demand for high-performance materials by paving the way for its space-enabled production.
This mission will demonstrate the crystal growth of advanced semiconductor materials – e.g., cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) and indium phosphide (InP) – inside sealed ampoules. A compact furnace module, pre-programmed to execute precise thermal cycles on 4 to 6 samples, will be used to replicate critical industrial crystal-growth processing steps under microgravity conditions.
The mission will validate not only material performance, but also system-level readiness – including hardware operability in orbit, safety of sealed charge handling, and post-mission recovery.
Flawless Photonics
Scaling ZBLAN Fiber Manufacturing from ISS Success to Autonomous Production in LEO
Lead Entity: Flawless Photonics (Startup, Luxembourg)
Building on their success aboard the International Space Station, where they produced nearly 12 kilometres of high-quality ZBLAN (zirconium barium lanthanum aluminium sodium fluoride) optical fibre—an unprecedented length for microgravity manufacturing – Flawless Photonics is now advancing toward fully automated, scalable in-orbit production. By leveraging microgravity to eliminate gravity-driven defects, Flawless Photonics’ next-generation systems will enable consistent, defect-free production of advanced optical materials, unlocking new opportunities in ultra-fast communications, sensing, imaging, and next-generation photonics.
Optical fibres are essential for our connected digital world. They are currently most commonly made of silica glass, which is easy to produce but requires the use of expensive repeaters due to optical losses in the fibre. Fluoride glass optical fibres, known as ZBLAN (zirconium barium lanthanum aluminium sodium fluoride), has significantly lower signal loss than silica fibres but is prone to crystallization defects when produced on Earth due to convection and other gravity-driven phenomena. In microgravity, these gravity-driven imperfections are eliminated, allowing for a purer, defect-free microcrystal formation, resulting in clearer glass. This purity can lead to a significant performance increase, opening new markets for infrared transmission and other high-end uses.
What comes next?
Throughout their acceleration journey, the selected project leads will benefit from dedicated 1-to-1 support by the Satellite Applications Catapult, gaining access to tailored support across all stages – from business maturation to the design of in-orbit demonstrations. This ensures both technical and commercial readiness for their missions.
Key advantages for the selected projects include:
- Expert guidance in navigating the complex space ecosystem, fostering connections with key stakeholders and resources.
- Assistance to refine private funding strategy beyond ESA support, while project leads retain final responsibility.
- Hands-on support in preparing documentation for ESA’s co-funding tools, simplifying the application process.
- Enhanced visibility and promotional support to amplify project exposure across relevant sectors.
This initiative underscores the commitment of the BSGN Industry Accelerator to propel innovation in advanced materials and in-orbit manufacturing, fostering collaboration and accelerating the journey from concept to orbit.
More information
About The Satellite Applications Catapult
The Satellite Applications Catapult is a UK-based innovation and technology centre dedicated to advancing the use of satellite data and services across industries. The Catapult helps businesses, governments, and research organisations harness space technologies to drive growth, sustainability, and digital transformation. Through the Beyond Earth mission, the Catapult is working with businesses and research organisations to develop technologies that enable satellite life extension, debris removal, autonomous assembly, and in-orbit manufacturing. By fostering collaboration and providing access to cutting-edge facilities, the Catapult is helping UK and European companies shape a new era of space infrastructure and capability beyond Earth.
About ESA
The European Space Agency (ESA) provides Europe’s gateway to space. ESA is an intergovernmental organisation, created in 1975, with the mission to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space delivers benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world. By coordinating the financial and intellectual resources of its members, ESA can undertake programmes and activities far beyond the scope of any single European country.
About BSGN Advanced Materials and In-orbit Manufacturing Accelerator
The BSGN Industry Accelerators are part of an ESA initiative designed to drive the growth of new economic markets in Low Earth Orbit and on the Moon. These accelerators facilitate collaboration with key industry players, attract new market entrants, and support the development of commercially viable business models based on space research. Operating under a public-private co-funding model, the BSGN Advanced Materials and In-orbit Manufacturing Industry Accelerator is managed by ESA’s Industrial Partner the Satellite Applications Catapult. It focuses on co-funding and supporting commercial projects and innovators developing breakthrough advanced materials and manufacturing solutions using in-orbit R&D and microgravity engineering platforms.
2025 Highlights
2025 was a pivotal year for the commercial space sector, and the Business in Space Growth Network (BSGN) played a key role in driving progress. From delivering three commercial research projects aboard the ISS to securing €3.82M in private investment through accelerated ventures, the BSGN continues advancing initiatives that bridge terrestrial industries and space-based opportunities. The article highlights the year's key milestones, collaborations, and measurable outcomes.
The Accelerators
The Business in Space Growth Network initiative supports commercial space R&D through accelerators that connect Earth-based industries with space opportunities. These programs aim to create new markets and ecosystems while advancing human and robotic exploration capabilities.
- • The Life Sciences Industry Accelerator, managed by MEDES, has announced the selected projects of its 2nd cohort: Pricilia and MyrSpaceCardio. In its 1st cohort, it supported 5 projects, with 2 projects launched their in-orbit experiments during 2025 (BioOrbit and Zeprion-2) and 3 projects expected to launch during 2026 (SpaceOrganoids, HORUS, and Spancer).
- • The Advanced Materials & In-Space Manufacturing Industry Accelerator, managed by the Satellite Applications Catapult, has supported the acceleration of CosmicMaker and Hephaestus, both expected to execute in-orbit demonstrations in 2026-2027.
- • The Space Resources Industry Accelerator, managed by ESRIC, is currently supporting 6 projects in the acceleration phase: Maana Electric, Volta Space Technologies, FibreCoat, Orbital Matter, OrbitFab and Space Power.
- • 2 projects from the Agri-food Industry Accelerator’s 1st cohort launched to the ISS: Sophie’s Bionutrients and Astrobiome.
Commercial Services
The Business in Space Growth Network has updated its commercial service pages to provide the latest offerings and capabilities. Visit the updated listings to explore current service listings, discover new solutions for space-related activities, and suggest additional services to help expand the portfolio.
Events
The following section highlights the main events and activities that took place during 2025, showcasing important milestones and community initiatives from throughout the year.
- • Space Resources Week, which took place during May 2025 in Luxemburg, is a yearly event organised by our partner the European Space Resources Innovation Centre (ESRIC), in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA), the Luxembourg Space Agency (LSA) and the Luxembourg Institute for Science and Technology (LIST). The event brings together space agencies, business leaders, researchers, and early-stage ventures, addressing the science, technology, economic, legal and regulatory aspects of space resources. To read more: Space Resources Week 2026
- • Automated LEO Platforms Industry Day – The workshop, led by ESA's Human & Robotic Exploration directorate (HRE), took place during September 2025 in the Netherlands. The workshop brought together ESA teams, LEO commercial service providers, payload hardware developers, terrestrial industry users, investors and consulting services, to examine how a new class of automated, rapidly recoverable, free-flying platforms can accelerate microgravity research and foster commercial activity. To read more: HRE Industry Workshop - Automated LEO Platforms for R&D and Manufacturing - BSGN
- • Space Resources Forum 2025: Exploring the Ground-Based Pilot Plant – During this event, which took place during November 2025 in ESTEC (the Netherlands), we explored the Ground-Based Pilot Plant (GBPP), a visionary initiative by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Space Resources Innovation Centre (ESRIC). The GBPP is a testbed for producing oxygen and metals from lunar regolith using Molten Salt Electrolysis. The event provided early insights into the upcoming ITT for the GBPP, alongside the opportunity to connect, contribute, and collaborate.
Follow the Business in Space Growth Network on LinkedIn to hear about the latest news and upcoming events.
Space Resources Challenge
The competition, whose field test was hosted during October 2025 in ESA-DLR LUNA facility in Germany, was the culmination of months of work and experiments. During the final event, 8 teams were challenged to simulate a Moon mission scenario set in the 2040s, during which 8 astronauts live and operate for 30 days at the lunar South Pole, using autonomous systems to extract oxygen from lunar regolith. The teams and their robots had to dig, sort and operate independently, all in a lunar-like testbed. To read more: Second Space Resources Challenge: Highlights and Key Results
Second Space Resources Challenge: Highlights and Key Results
ESA is preparing for a future where human missions on the Moon rely on local resources instead of costly Earth-based supply chains. To achieve this, ESA and ESRIC launched the Space Resources Challenge in 2021 as part of a broader strategy to develop technologies for In-Situ Resource Utilisation (ISRU). These technologies will enable oxygen and metal production from lunar regolith, enabling life support, construction, and refuelling capabilities. By fostering competition and collaboration between industry, research, and academia, the initiative accelerates innovation and opens new commercial opportunities, while being a cornerstone of Europe’s vision for a sustainable lunar economy and its leadership in global space exploration.
About the Space Resources Challenge
Each edition of the Space Resources Challenge addresses a different ISRU segment. The first edition focused on prospecting lunar resources and identifying materials that could support future missions. The second edition focused on excavation and beneficiation: collecting lunar regolith and preparing it for oxygen extraction, a process critical for sustaining human presence and enabling industrial activity on the Moon.
The Space Resources Challenge fosters:
- Innovation: Filling critical gaps along the ISRU value chain.
- Collaboration: Connecting academia, industry, and research organisations.
- Acceleration: Advancing technology readiness for lunar missions.
- Commercial Growth: Kickstarting ventures in the emerging space resources market.
In this year’s edition, 8 teams from 6 countries were selected to participate in the demonstration phase:
- Team AGH Lunar Resources Initiative – AGH University of Krakow, SpaceTeam AGH, AGH Space Systems, CleverHive Space, PIAP Space, CBK PAN
- Team ASTROLITH – Polytechnique Montreal
- Team BREMEN – DLR, DFKI
- Team CRADLE – Amentum, The University of Manchester
- Team FZI DUST – Forschungszentrum Informatik
- Team Imperial Planetary Robotics Lab – IPRL
- Team LuMA – Maana Electric, SpaceR, Aalborg University
- Team TUBular – TU Berlin
To read more about the Space Resources Challenge: https://src.esa.int/
Mission Scenario
In the mission scenario set for the challenge’s second edition, it is the 2040s and operations to support long-term human missions on the Moon have begun. Astronauts stay for up to 30 days at the lunar South Pole, relying partly on resources produced locally. ISRU systems operate autonomously between missions, extracting oxygen from regolith and providing essential materials for breathing, shelter, and refuelling spacecraft.
Teams were asked to design robotic systems capable of digging lunar soil simulant, sorting particles by size, and preparing feedstock for molten salt electrolysis – a method for extracting oxygen. The systems had to work in a realistic lunar-like environment and operate autonomously or via remote control. The goal was to produce enough oxygen to sustain eight astronauts for a month, demonstrating technologies that could one day support a commercially viable lunar economy.
The Winners
Team BREMEN, based in Europe’s “City of Space”, impressed with a solution that blends innovation and scalability. Combining expertise from DLR, German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI), and the University of Bremen, the team developed a modular architecture integrating a mobile rover for excavation with a stationary beneficiation system for size sorting. This approach reduces weight and power requirements while enabling long-term, scalable lunar operations.
At the heart of the system is Coyote III, a hybrid-wheeled rover designed for unstructured terrain and teleoperation. Its standardized interface supports modular payloads, including excavation tools. Inspired by ISRU-driven missions like Chandrayaan-3 and commercial lander-rover systems such as ispace’s M2, Team BREMEN’s concept aligns with the evolving lunar market, paving the way for sustainable resource utilization beyond Earth.
The winning solution was selected based on the team’s excellent performance during the field test, where they ranked highest overall across the different evaluation criteria. The field test score was not the only factor: teams also submitted proposals, in which they again performed very well. By combining the scores from the field test and the proposals, Team BREMEN was selected as the winner of the ESA prize.
ESA will award team BREMEN with a €500,000 development contract for a feasibility study, accelerating their concept toward deployment on future lunar missions.
Innovate beyond Earth - Meet the Second Cohort of ESA's Life Science Accelerator
Following the 2nd Call of the BSGN Life Science Industry Accelerator in April 2025, two groundbreaking projects have been selected for acceleration and deployment in orbit: PRICILIA and MyrSpaceCardio.
Selected from a competitive pool of 22 applications across 12 ESA Member States, these projects aim to develop commercial solutions for Earth by boosting their R&D through the unique properties of the space environment. During the Acceleration phase, The Business in Space Growth Network (BSGN) ,an ESA's initiative designed to drive the growth of new economic markets in Low Earth Orbit and on the Moon, in collaboration with the Life Science Accelerator managing partner, MEDES (Institute for Space Medicine and Physiology), will support the consortiums of this second cohort in refining technical and commercial plans, preparing the selected projects for implementation and deployment in orbit.
Who’s in the second cohort?
Pricilia
Decoding gravity-induced mechanosensing in cartilage for next-generation of osteoarthritis therapies
Lead Entity: Medetia (Startup, France)
Consortium Partners: Institut Imagine (France), Sainbiose – INSERM Lab (France), SpacePharma (France)
Medetia and its partners aim to unravel the role of primary cilia (microscopic, microtubule-based organelles crucial for mechanosensing) in cartilage homeostasis under varying gravity conditions. By investigating how these structures respond to mechanical forces in space, the team seeks to identify novel therapeutic candidates, small molecules, for osteoarthritis. The PRICILIA program targets valuable health advances on Earth by studying biological models exposed to the stress of microgravity in Low Earth Orbit. By understanding the role of gravity in cartilage fatigue, this research could lead to groundbreaking treatments that address the unmet needs of millions suffering from degenerative joint diseases , thus potentially offering valuable health advances on Earth inspired by the challenges of the microgravity environment.
MyrSpaceCardio
A Next-Generation Cardiac Assay Platform Powered by Microgravity
Lead Entity: Myriamed (SME, Germany)
Consortium Partners: KIST Europe (Germany), Exobiosphere (Luxembourg)
MyrSpaceCardio aims to adapt myriamed’s engineered heart muscle screening platforms into a high-throughput system optimized for microgravity. By performing tissue-engineering experiments in space, the project enhances the physiological relevance of lab-grown cardiac tissues and brings them closer to true human biology. Removing gravitational constraints is expected to promote more robust tissue assembly, advanced metabolic maturation, and improved functional performance, which will be assessed through in-flight imaging and post-flight multi-omics analyses. This mission will validate the first scalable, space-enabled cardiac tissue screening platform, generating models that more faithfully reflect human cardiac responses and enabling advanced drug development, in-orbit screening, and personalized space medicine.
What comes next?
Throughout their acceleration journey, the selected project leads will benefit from a dedicated 1-to-1 relationship with MEDES, gaining access to tailored support across all stages - from business maturation to the design of spaceflight experiments. This ensures both technical and commercial readiness for their missions.
Key advantages for the selected projects include:
- • Expert guidance in navigating the complex space ecosystem, fostering connections with key stakeholders and resources.
- • Assistance to refine private funding strategy beyond ESA support, while project leads retain final responsibility.
- • Hands-on support in preparing documentation for ESA’s co-funding tools, simplifying the application process.
- • Enhanced visibility and promotional support to amplify project exposure within the space and life sciences industries.
This initiative underscores the commitment of the BSGN Industry Accelerator to propel innovation in life sciences, fostering collaboration and accelerating the journey from concept to orbit.
More information
About MEDES
MEDES is the French Institute for Space Medicine and Physiology. It was created in 1989 by the French Space Agency, CNES and Toulouse University Hospitals. Its activities are focused on support for space missions, clinical research (with a unique research infrastructure: the space clinic) and innovations between space and health. MEDES has more than 35 years of experience for crew health maintenance for human spaceflights, operational support for research in life sciences in space, in addition to a strong expertise in clinical research and on innovative projects for health applications.
About ESA
The European Space Agency (ESA) provides Europe’s gateway to space. ESA is an intergovernmental organisation, created in 1975, with the mission to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space delivers benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world. By coordinating the financial and intellectual resources of its members, ESA can undertake programmes and activities far beyond the scope of any single European country. It is working in particular with the EU on implementing the Galileo and Copernicus programmes as well as with Eumetsat for the development of meteorological missions.
About BSGN Life Science Industry Accelerator
The BSGN Industry Accelerators are part of an ESA initiative designed to drive the growth of new economic markets in Low Earth Orbit and on the Moon. These accelerators facilitate collaboration with key industry players, attract new market entrants, and support the development of commercially viable business models based on space research. Operating under a public-private co-funding model, the BSGN Life Science Industry Accelerator is managed by ESA’s Industrial Partner MEDES. It focuses on leveraging microgravity for cutting-edge research in biotechnologies, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, helping companies find the right partners and funding tools to turn their innovations into reality.
HRE Industry Workshop - Automated LEO Platforms for R&D and Manufacturing
On September 8th 2025, ESA hosted an industry workshop on automated LEO platforms (ALP) for R&D and manufacturing in space. The workshop was held in Hortus Botanicus, Leiden (Netherlands). The workshop brought together ESA teams, LEO commercial service providers, payload hardware developers, terrestrial industry users, investors and consulting services, to examine how a new class of automated, rapidly recoverable, free-flying platforms can accelerate microgravity research and foster commercial activity.
Automated platforms promise higher cadence, tailored environments and lower operational overhead for specific use cases in market segments such as life sciences, advanced materials, in-space manufacturing, and agri-food.
Purpose and Scope
The workshop was focused on the role of automated LEO platforms (ALP) in Europe’s emerging space ecosystem. The sessions held during the workshop were impact-driven, assessing how ALP can contribute to scientific, technological and commercial objectives. Its objective was to bring together ESA teams, industry, investors and end users in a structured dialogue.
From a technical perspective, the workshop aimed to identify both commercial opportunities and challenges, while also examining the end-to-end processes required for such platforms, from experiment design and payload integration, through launch and operations, to data and sample return.
From a strategic perspective, the workshop aimed to clarify the importance of automated platforms within ESA’s long-term roadmap, including the post-ISS era and future exploration goals, while also addressing interoperability requirements and standardization needs to ensure smoother integration of payloads and services across different providers.
Audience Overview
- Platform Service Providers: Firms that design, build and operate automated LEO platforms/free-flyers (and related return capsules or ISS-hosted platforms). They provide the vehicle and mission services: payload hosting, power/thermal/data, safety qualification, integration, launch/operations/re-entry, and sample/data return.
- Payload Service Providers: Firms that develop experiment facilities and payloads (e.g., bioreactors, crystallization modules and broader laboratories) and often deliver experiment-as-a-service: study design, qualification, biosafety, integration with platforms, on-orbit ops support, and post-flight analysis—bridging end users to flight.
- Institutional: Space agencies and public entities, representing different ESA directorates, national agencies, and European Commission, that set strategy, fund and de-risk capabilities, steward standards/safety, enable access to orbit and procure or co-fund services to advance science, policy and European competitiveness.
- Investor/Consulting Services: Venture capital investors and advisory/consulting firms that provide capital, due diligence, market and technical assessments, strategy, and risk advisory. They evaluate business models, regulatory pathways, and scale-up economics to inform funding and partnerships.
- BSGN Industry Accelerators: ESA’s Business in Space Growth Network Industry Accelerators’ Managing Partners that scout for high-commercial potential projects, broker demand, mentor companies, provide support and matchmake between end users, payload developers, and platforms – aiming to convert terrestrial R&D needs into flight campaigns. The BSGN Accelerators involved were MEDES (Life Science) and the Satellite Application Catapult (Advanced Materials and In-Space Manufacturing).
- End Users: Companies from terrestrial markets involved or attracted to make use of microgravity to advance their commercial R&D activities and outcomes (pharma/biotech, advanced materials, semiconductors, chemicals, research institutions). They define use cases and requirements, seek validated data/samples/processes, purchasing services from payload and platform providers.
Sessions Summaries
First Session – ESA Programmatic Alignment
This session mapped the intersections between automated platforms and ESA priorities, spanning science utilization, Post-ISS strategy. The session was led by ESA with contributions from different ESA Directorates and programmes: General Support Technology Programme (GSTP), ESA Marketplace for commercial growing and scaling, In-Space Assembly and Manufacturing (ISAM), In-Space Proof of Concept (InSPoC), and Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS).
The focus was on which areas and how ESA can de-risk critical capabilities, facilitate standards definition, and catalyse early demand through co-funding and acting as anchor customer.
The session hosted several ESA experts discussing synergies and complementarities with a range of ESA initiatives, highlighting how automated LEO platforms can mutually benefit from them and for them, being functional in achieving different strategic objectives.
The hosted speakers were Bernhard Hufenbach (Commercialisation & Inn. Team Lead at ESA), Eric Istasse (Post-ISS strategy at ESA), Angelique Van Ombergen (Chief Exploration Scientist at ESA), Kenza Benamar (GSTP Program at ESA), Kais Barmawi (ESA Marketplace), Calum Turner (In-Space Servicing, Assembly and Manufacturing at ESA), Thomas Nussmann (FLPP and In-SPoC at ESA). The session was followed by a Q&A session.
Second Session – Interoperability
The session was directed by Antonella Sgambati, LEO Payload Team Leader at ESA, and brought together an audience of platform developers, facilities developers and potential users. The format was intentionally participatory, fostering dialogue and mutual exchanges. A key insight emerged: standardization lowers friction and broadens access across vehicles; over-standardization can constrain innovation and performance. The session sought pragmatic common denominators (minimum viable standards) while leaving room for mission-specific differentiation.
The final goal was to converge on shared understanding of current strengths and challenges, identify practical pathways to overcome current European bottlenecks and pave the way towards more harmonized standards and procedures for payload-platform interoperability.
The session was split into sections, each with a main thematic driver:
- Station 1: Understand the main drivers shaping interface design (mechanical, data, power, thermal, etc.).
- Station 2: Explore where technical alignment could unlock efficiency and access.
- Station 3: Examine process-level barriers to interoperability (plug-and-play)
Third Session – Private Sector Utilization Interest
Framed around market pull, this session combined a panel with thematic working groups on Pharma and Advanced Materials. Each group worked through use cases, customer requirements, and the role of free-flyers, while discussing the market value and future perspectives.
The session started with a panel discussion participated by Francesco Liucci (Business Development Engineer, responsible for the BSGN initiative, ESA), Robin Sie-Verbruggen (COO at Resonance Holdings), Andrei Sapera (Space Business Developer at Space Application Services, ICE Cubes Division), Mira Baraket (VP of Technology at Atlant 3D), Daniel Kogan (R&D Scientist at SpacePharma), Hamid Soorghali (Lead Strategy Consultant at the Satellite Applications Catapult), Joel Friedman (moderator, Head of Innovation Services at the Satellite Applications Catapult).
After the panel discussion, the audience broke down into working groups, focusing on Life Sciences and Advanced Materials, stimulating open discussions among participants.
Forth Session – End-to-End Concept of Operations (Con.Ops.)
Building from real operational constraints, this session traced the full-service chain: interfaces to the International Space Station (ISS) where relevant, ESA’s facilitator role, payload integration and handling, and enabling service elements such as science selection coordination, payload development, platform integration, ground segment personnel training, and more.
The session was moderated by Julia Weis (LEO & Suborbital Utilisation Team Leader at ESA) and Marco Vukich (ISS Payload Integration Manager at ESA). The discussion built on the legacy of ISS end-to-end operational flows and assessed how similar or adapted frameworks could apply to automated LEO platforms. The audience included platform developers, payload providers, and ESA staff, with the goal of clarifying expectations, identifying gaps, and exploring ESA’s potential roles as customer, partner, or enabler in the future commercial ecosystem.
The session progressed from reviewing the ISS operational baseline to outlining what an end-to-end service model could look like for automated platforms. Discussions also integrated concrete examples, notably biology use cases, to illustrate specific logistical and technical requirements.
