Creating an ecosystem for commercial services and products to thrive.
We support the emergence of the new economic market in LEO and Lunar Orbit by intensifying collaboration with markets, facilitating the engagement of new actors and stimulating demand in an effort to develop new products and services based on commercially-viable business models.
Space as Driver for Industrial Innovation
Make use of exploration infrastructure to offer unique commercial services and enable the development of new products for use on Earth and in Space.
Launchpad for Your Ideas
The BSGN is providing tools to help project teams that can make use of the space environment to develop products and services with commercial value.
We are convinced that a successful project depends on the ability of project teams to
- Gather the technical or business know-how required to deliver the end-to-end project
- Prepare sales- and marketing activities necessary to sell their product(s)
- Focus on commercial viability and customer-oriented design
- Find the right partners to complement their team
FORWARD-THINKING
An Initiative of the European Space Exploration Programme (E3P)
The Business in Space Growth Network was launched to support the development of commercial market for services and applications in LEO and beyond.
It is part of the Terrae Novae programme known as the European Space Exploration Envelope Programme (E3P). The programme is implemented by the Directorate for Human and Robotic Exploration (HRE).
The BSGN Industry Accelerators
To support the development of new space-enabled applications of commercial services, ESA has launched the BSGN Industry Accelerators together with industry partners.
The Industry Accelerators offers opportunities for industry actors to get funding and support to develop and implement their ideas on how to leverage space in their industry. Each accelerator also acts as an access point for entities looking to invest in projects to participate in the growth of the space economy. This way, the accelerators create a marketplace, where matching can occur between users, commercial service providers and investors.
LEO Economy
Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) is becoming more and more accessible to commercial entities, allowing them to provide commercial services and develop products in space. Facilities on the International Space Station (ISS), Space Rider, and future destinations such as the Lunar Gateway provide the world’s most unique laboratory and work place to private industry.
Lunar Economy
The Moon is not moving closer to Earth, but with the Lunar Gateway and an increasing number of commercial missions being in the pipeline, we are moving closer to the Moon! The Lunar Pathfinder Commercial Partnership will be providing the first commercial lunar mission support services around the Moon, supporting future missions from both public and private actors. Prospective habitats on the Moon open up the possibility for cargo and resupply missions, infrastrucutre, construction, resource and mining operations alongside production of consumables.
Mars
Don’t be fooled by the distance to Mars – even if there is limited potential for a commercial market developing around our red neighbor, there is potential for commercial contributions. Think of technology-transfer and mission support services.
Reporting and Metrics
Introduction
In the Agenda 2025, commercialisation is identified as one of the top priorities for ESA to drive innovation and foster economic growth in the European industry. To enable the transition to a commercial space economy, ESA has established the Business in Space Growth Network (BSGN) driving all critical activities needed to implement the Commercialisation Initiative in E3P.
Through BSGN, ESA is actively supporting the emergence of new economic markets across all E3P destinations by implementing activities across three domains:
- Commercial Services: Supporting the development of new commercial services meeting ESA and commercial needs
- Demand Stimulation: Stimulating demand by intensifying collaboration with terrestrial industries, demonstrating commercial use cases.
- Private Investments: Enabling private investments in commercial services and actors developing use case in R&D for space.
The long-term aim is to foster the creation of a Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Lunar and (in the longer-term) Mars Economy that delivers benefits from utilising its space infrastructures for new use cases and Earth applications. Such an economy will include new space service providers and innovative business cases.
Cumulative summary of key achievements
€77M non-ESA investments
As of today, € 77 million non-ESA investments in development of commercial services have been secured, demonstrating the potential of private investments alongside ESA funding.
€30M in Commercial Services Contracts
Significant demand has resulted in commercial service contracts signed by non-ESA users worth over € 30 million, with a commitment of € 8.5 million only in the reporting period.
14 ISS Commercial Activities
Total 14 commercial activities on ISS have been completed, with 8 new activities during the reporting period.
3 Commercially Enabled ISS Activities
3 ESA ISS activities have been enabled by commercial services of which 1 was completed during the reporting period.
45 Organisations Involved
More than 45 different organisations have been involved through collaborations, execution, or development of future activities together with BSGN Commercial Partners.
4 New Partner Proposals
Throughout the reporting period, 4 new proposals have been submitted to the permanently open Call for Commercial Partnerships
8 New Commercial Proposals
Interest in utilizing commercial services remains high, with 8 proposals received for utilizing commercial services in the reporting period.
36 Open Call Applicants
The Call for ideas and user cases for Lunar Communication and Navigation Services received 36 applicants of which 8 where shortlisted by ESA and invited to continue development
ESA ESTEC
The BSGN is based at the European Space Technology Research Center (ESTEC), in Noordwijk, the Netherlands, ESTEC is the largest ESA site, where most ESA projects are born and where they are guided through the various phases of development.
About Terra Novae
Europe’s Space Exploration Programme unites 22 Member States to go where noone has gone before.