The BSGN Advanced Materials and In-orbit Manufacturing Accelerator is a Europe-wide, multidisciplinary accelerator dedicated to advancing new materials and novel engineering solutions for both industrial and space applications.

We partner with innovators ranging from start-ups and SMEs to large multinationals, leveraging space-based R&D for product development, innovation, and technological advancement.

The BSGN Accelerator co-funds and supports commercial projects and innovators developing breakthrough advanced materials and manufacturing solutions using in-orbit R&D and microgravity engineering platforms.

The programme fosters close collaboration between space and non-space industries to encourage innovation in high-potential commercial areas. It provides co-funding and expertise to accelerate innovations from concept to commercialisation.

The BSGN Accelerator is an initiative of the European Space Agency (ESA) and its partner, the Satellite Applications Catapult, which manages and delivers the Accelerator for advanced materials and in-orbit manufacturing.

We deliver two key services through the Accelerator:

1. Technology Acceleration and Commercialisation

• Leveraging ESA co-funding to fast-track the development of cutting-edge materials and manufacturing technologies led by high-potential start-ups, SMEs, and innovators.
• Providing technical, financial, and commercialisation support to bring high-potential innovations from concept to market.

2. Innovation Advice, Management, and Execution

• Partnering with corporations to help them harness the potential of microgravity to pioneer material innovations for superior product development. We align corporate strategic innovation goals with capabilities enabled by space-based microgravity R&D and engineering.
• Through the Accelerator, we provide strategic advice, develop, and source breakthrough solutions from our network of innovators to help our partners overcome innovation challenges.
• We support the development of a sustainable innovation pipeline spanning research, development, and commercialisation.

New Materials R&D and Engineering for Earth

Microgravity R&D on specialty chemicals, novel materials, and processing technologies (e.g., high-quality, efficient semiconductors).

Onboard R&D Hardware & Facilities

Multipurpose in-orbit R&D, testing, and production facilities, including but not limited to furnaces, combustion reactors, 3D printers, and thin-film deposition facilities.

In-orbit Testing and Demonstration

Testing and qualification of new materials, components, and subsystems to establish valuable “space heritage”—particularly important for organisations yet to get products into orbit.

In-orbit Manufacturing Solutions for Space

• In-orbit assembly of large physical constructs to build new space infrastructure.
• Innovative use of In-Space Manufacturing (ISM) to enable new or improved technology solutions and applications for use in space.

The aim of this Accelerator is to deliver microgravity-enabled innovations for advanced materials engineering.

Materials produced in space have properties such as increased purity, strength, and precision, offering distinct advantages over Earth-made materials.

Certain classes of advanced materials could greatly benefit from R&D using microgravity, leveraging the unique environment to enhance their properties.

BENEFITS OF MICROGRAVITY FOR ADVANCED MATERIALS R&D

The in-orbit environment allows gravity to be treated as a variable, fine-tuning the physical properties of materials to achieve optimal characteristics.

Increasing space access is enabling more researchers to study materials in the unique orbital environment, leading to improved materials production at scale on Earth. There is also potential for mass-manufacturing superior materials in orbit for Earth-based applications and further space exploration.