The Observatory of Water Availability – System of Integrated Services (OWASIS), developed by Dutch firm HydroLogic with the support of ESA’s Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) programme, is set to roll out across the Netherlands this year. The cutting-edge water management system uses satellite data and advanced technology to revolutionise how water resources are monitored and managed. From February 2025, OWASIS will be incorporated into the services delivered by the Waterschapshuis, the governing and implementing organisation for the 21 water boards in the information and communication technology field. 

Efficient water management is critical for addressing challenges such as water scarcity, floods and the increasing impacts of climate change. OWASIS provides a transformative solution, allowing water authorities to assess available storage in the soil and to estimate available water resources in their area or detect any deficit in subsoil. 

With nearly 30% of the Netherlands lying below sea level, effective water management has long been a necessity to keep the country flood-free – a matter of life and death since the Middle Ages. To address this, and to advance water management further, HydroLogic developed a soil water storage capacity service as part of OWASIS. By delivering real-time, unbiased data, it provides insights into water usage, soil moisture and vegetation, facilitating accurate monitoring and forecasting for water distribution systems.

OWASIS integrates Earth observation data from ESA’s Sentinel satellites with ground-based information and artificial intelligence using the HydroNET platform. OWASIS gives access to more accurate information on the current and expected status of water systems via interactive maps and graphs, on a spatial scale that suits users’ needs. This reduces the reliance on manual inspections and supports sustainable resource management. The benefits are efficient and improved water allocation, reduced flood and drought risk and standardisation of water storage capacity – critically showing where water is still available.

The system has already demonstrated success in pilot projects in the Netherlands, including during a period of extreme draught. It has demonstrated its potential to reduce water losses, improve decision-making, and enhance infrastructure resilience. With its upcoming rollout, the Netherlands will serve as a model for other regions aiming to modernise their water management strategies.

"OWASIS demonstrates how satellite technology can address pressing challenges on Earth” said Beatrice Barresi, Senior Sustainable Applications Officer at ESA. “This project exemplifies ESA’s commitment to enabling innovative solutions for water resource management, and we are delighted to see it being rolled out across the Netherlands. Data shows that OWASIS can save an equivalent amount of water to 200 Olympic swimming pools for a single region in the Netherlands; imagine the huge gain when the solution is applied across the whole country.”

"With the support of ESA, HydroLogic and their partners have successfully deployed the OWASIS product for a number of water boards in recent years. This success has led to the product now being rolled out on a national scale under the name National Soil Moisture Information Service (LIBV). With these services, we will continue to provide water authorities with data-driven changes in soil moisture, essential for operational, tactical and strategic water management, over the coming years."

The country-wide adoption of OWASIS in the Netherlands marks a major milestone in the use of satellite technology to tackle real-world water challenges. With its ability to enhance efficiency, reduce waste and provide actionable insights, the system is setting a new standard for smart water management and is poised to make a significant impact on the sustainability of water resources.

The European Space Agency (ESA) has signed a Memorandum of Intent (MoI) with Prototypes for Humanity (P4H), an Art Dubai Group programme. This partnership seeks to leverage space technology to tackle pressing global challenges and drive sustainable development on a global scale. It will also enable the demonstration and validation of innovative projects by piloting solutions within the UAE market, harnessing local partnerships and resources to maximise impact and scalability. The MoI was signed by Geraldine Naja, Director of ESA's Commercialisation, Industry and Competitiveness Directorate and Tadeu Baldani Caravieri, P4H Director, during the Towards a Space-Powered Economy conference, held at ESA’s ECSAT facility in Harwell, UK, on November 26, 2024.  

Prototypes for Humanity is an international platform dedicated to promoting and supporting innovation across diverse disciplines of science and humanities. It focuses on solutions that deliver tangible positive impacts for society and the planet. Through its collaboration with ESA, P4H will strengthen its ability to connect changemakers with ESA’s expertise, tools, and resources. In turn, ESA will work with P4H’s global network to apply space technologies to areas such as green energy and climate resilience, advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  

“This partnership highlights the power of multisectoral collaboration between space and non-space players,” said Nick Appleyard, Head of the Applications and Solutions Department at ESA. “The cooperation with P4H will allow the creation of innovative solutions that deliver real-world impact, fostering sustainability and progress across sectors.” 

Davide Coppola, Head of ESA’s Space Applications Initiatives Section, added “through this partnership, we aim to combine groundbreaking ideas with space technologies to tackle critical sustainability challenges. This collaboration will empower innovators and industries to create transformative solutions with tangible benefits.” 

“Prototypes for Humanity is proud to partner with ESA to amplify the impact of visionary projects,” said Tadeu Baldani Caravieri. “Together, we will connect innovators with the expertise and tools they need to address challenges at the intersection of technology, creativity, and sustainability.” 

This partnership marks a significant milestone for both organisations, as they unite to advance innovation and sustainability on a global scale. 

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The CEO Water Mandate—a partnership between the UN Global Compact and the Pacific Institute—and the European Space Agency (ESA) today announced significant progress in their joint initiative to leverage space technologies and innovative digital tools for advancing water security and resilience. 

The “Digitising Water Resilience in Basins” initiative addresses the urgent global challenge of insufficient data and shared understanding of freshwater resources, including water stress, quality, and accessibility. 

A Digital Platform for Water-Stressed Basins 

As part of its goal to achieve positive water impact in 100 priority basins by 2030, the CEO Water Mandate is leading the development of a cutting-edge digital monitoring platform for 100 of the world’s most water-stressed basins. The platform aims to provide actionable insights into water basin conditions, helping businesses track their contributions to water resilience goals.

Milestones in the CEO Water Mandate-ESA Partnership 

During COP28 in December 2023, the partnership announced the selection of its first cohort of projects, marking a transformative step in utilising space technologies, digital innovation, and IoT to enhance water basin monitoring. Over the past 18 months, these projects have yielded breakthrough results, providing: 

• Comprehensive data sets tracking changes in water levels over time and into the future. 
• Detailed water quality measurements and pollution source identification. 
• Climate impact modelling to predict future basin conditions. 

Expert Perspectives 

Davide Coppola, Head of Space Applications Initiatives at ESA, emphasised the transformative potential of this collaboration: 

“I am delighted to see the initial outcomes of this initiative, confirming how space technologies, combined with digital tools and IoT, can illuminate water stress drivers and intervention impacts—even in the most remote regions. Our collaboration with the CEO Water Mandate and WRC unlocks new opportunities for cross-sectoral cooperation and innovative business models, paving the way for far-reaching socio-economic benefits.” 

Jason Morrison, Head of the CEO Water Mandate and President of the Pacific Institute, highlighted the importance of space technology in water management: 

“This partnership with ESA is revolutionising access to water-related data. By integrating satellite observations with innovative technologies, we are opening new frontiers in understanding and protecting freshwater resources worldwide.

 

Key Achievements (2023–2024) 

The partnership has achieved several milestones: 

• Funding Support: ESA allocated €1.5 million to fund eight feasibility studies using satellite data and digital monitoring tools to create detailed diagnostics and impact assessments for selected basins. 
• Global Reach: Projects span 13 countries, including Colombia, India, Kenya, Morocco, and the US, setting the stage to expand to 100 priority basins. 
• Corporate Engagement: CEO Water Mandate member companies actively contributed to pilot projects, aligning efforts with NPWI monitoring goals. 
• Pilot Project Partners: Eight European companies—Agreed Earth, CLS, Development Seed, eLeaf-52impact, EOMAP, eRay, Krucial, and Marple—participated in pilot projects, showcasing scalable solutions. 

Future Development: Plans for expanded corporate support and additional projects are underway. 

A Transformative Future for Water Resilience 

The CEO Water Mandate-ESA partnership represents a groundbreaking step toward global water resilience. By combining space-based observations with digital tools, the initiative is advancing efforts to protect water sources and ensure water security for future generations. 

 

A new portable 3D imaging system is set to revolutionise patient care, with initial trials demonstrating significant improvements in diagnosis accuracy of fractures in extremity limbs outperforming conventional 2D X-rays. The system, developed by UK-based Adaptix under ESA’s Business Applications and Space Solutions Programme (BASS) with the support of the UK Space Agency, could also offer greatly reduced costs for care providers, as well as improved accessibility for patients and low levels of radiation.

With traditional 2D X-rays failing to detect up to 40% of scaphoid fractures in the wrist, anyone who has suffered the pain and inconvenience of a missed diagnosis will know all too well the physical, psychological and financial impacts of a delayed recovery. The limitations of traditional 2D X-ray images mean that smaller fractures are often missed or require the use of more complex and expensive scanners to confirm diagnosis, like CT, which delivers a high radiation dose, or MRI which are very slow. By contrast, the Adaptix system uses a process known as digital tomosynthesis, which offers a multi-layered 3D view of the problem area to improve the speed and accuracy of diagnosis.

Digital tomosynthesis offers a completely different way imaging from the traditional 2D X-ray tube by firing X-rays in a sequence from many different positions. Adaptix’s journey started with miniature electron emitters using technology that was simultaneously being developed for a number of Space missions. The latest Adaptix system fires X-rays from over 30 positions in a rapid sequence lasting a few seconds giving a quick, low-cost, 3D image which provides a significantly higher level of detail, even on complex fractures, than is possible with a 2D image.

Dr Steve Wells, Adaptix CTO, said ”2D X-ray is the most common type of imaging but gives a fundamentally limited view of our 3D bodies. The aim of Adaptix is to transform radiology by replacing 2D X-ray with a low-cost, low-dose mobile 3D system available at the point of care”

The benefits of the Adaptix system to the patient are manifold and extend far beyond the promise of more accurate diagnoses. Near real time image results available in a matter of seconds mean quick diagnosis and treatment, and the potential to scan through a cast not only saves time but also reduces discomfort for patients. Where fractures or disease are suspected in the foot or ankle, the Adaptix system is able to image the affected area with the patient standing in a weight-bearing position rather than prone, allowing medical experts to assess the damage more effectively.

Radiation levels are similar to those produced by existing 2D X-ray systems and far lower than those incurred from CT scanners. As the system is fully portable – the size and weight of a suitcase – unlike other imaging equipment it can easily be installed in existing radiology rooms and the improved quality could mean that the images could be confidently read by less specialised staff, for example during out of hours cases.

But it’s not only people with broken bones who stand to benefit from this new technology. As part of the project with ESA, Adaptix have also developed and sold many portable 3D X-ray machines for veterinary centres. For the human imaging system, five initial demonstrations were completed in Europe and the US as part of the project, encompassing children’s hospitals, an orthopaedic clinic and general medical facilities. In each trial the initial feedback has been very promising and the equipment has already been installed at many veterinary surgeries in the UK and US.

Quoc Hoang, MD, Musculoskeletal Radiologist, New Orleans VA Medical Center on reviewing an Adaptix wrist image wrote: “Great image. Might be the first time I’ve seen the carpal trapezoid bone in isolation. Degenerative changes are well seen.”

Arnaud Runge, Technical Officer for ESA on the project with Adaptix said, “This new technology has the power to transform patient care, and the ‘low cost, low dose’ portable model means that it appeals to a wide range of functions, from A&E units through to remote surgeries, dental practices, veterinary providers and many more. It has been an exciting project to work on and we look forward to seeing it rolled out across healthcare – the low radiation dose also means that we could even see the system used in space in the coming years.”

Chris White-Horne, Deputy CEO & Chief Delivery Officer at UK Space Agency said:

 “We all use space technology in our daily lives, from mobile devices and navigation to online banking and weather forecasting. But beyond these uses, it is increasingly crucial in the healthcare sector.This project from Adaptix, which employs technology developed for space missions, has the potential to dramatically reduce the cost of X-rays for healthcare providers and exposure to radiation, while improving patient access. The UK boasts a thriving space applications sector where many non-space companies leverage space technologies for a competitive advantage, while showcasing innovations that can benefit people’s lives.”

With US FDA regulatory clearance for a first version of the Orthopaedic device received in January 2023 and Adaptix setting up manufacturing facilities in Scotland, interest is building from the USA and a growing number of veterinary and dental practices. Going forward, research is underway to extend the capabilities of the technology to cover other areas of the body including bedside 3D lung imaging. The future looks very bright for this compact, powerful technology, as it is poised to transform mobile imaging across the medical world. It brings a host of new possibilities to 3D X-ray imaging that previously would not have been feasible, such as care at home, ambulances and even the bedsides of ICU patients. The recovery of many fracture patients are set to be improved by the ESA-backed Adaptix technology, providing a transformative diagnostic tool for medical professionals and bringing a multitude of benefits to patients around the world.

All eyes were on space at Harwell this week, as more than 200 delegates from across Europe and beyond joined ESA’s Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) conference “Towards a Space-Powered Economy”. The two-day event had a packed agenda with more than 50 speakers and a common ambition – to bring the added benefits of space to our businesses, economies and communities, and help mitigate the impact of climate change on our growing populations and natural environment.

With support from skilled ESA Technical Officers, the vast majority of BASS projects enjoy commercial success, and more than 50% generate sales before project completion. Those attending the conference had the opportunity to hear about a wide range of projects making use of satellite technologies and data in sustainable solutions to global challenges, as 20 companies from across Europe pitched their business concepts to a distinguished judging panel. With ideas ranging from movable bus stops to methane gas reduction, organic cotton monitoring to illegal logging prevention, competition was stiff and the judges had a difficult task. The winners, announced at the conference, were the UK’s Trade in Space, whose ORCAS project focuses on helping smallholders access global markets directly and has already protected and enhanced more than 1,000,000 family incomes. Second place went to Finland’s ICEYE’s disaster monitoring service with Italy’s i-EM in third for their OCTAGON project providing connected green energy solutions for the simulation and the management of smart grid components.

Day two opened with a flurry of distinguished speakers, starting with ESA’s Director General Josef Aschbacher who outlined the importance and potential of the space sector for world economies and emphasised the significant role played by commercialisation programmes such as BASS in ESA’s agenda. 

“The space economy is growing extremely fast and is expected to rise from 500bn EURO today to more the 1tn EURO in the next decade. ESA is supporting the development of space companies and looking to provide the right conditions and frameworks for them to grow, so this is an important event to help make this work” said Mr Aschbacher. “The UK is very engaged and a strong partner for ESA in the commercialisation of space.”

UK Minister Sir Chris Bryant MP joined on screen to share his ambitions for the sector and Geraldine Naja, Director of Commercialisation, Industry and Competitiveness at ESA, echoed these sentiments and spoke of the significant contribution BASS and the wider commercialisation agenda is making to the green transition, and how sustainability is at the centre of the programme’s work.

“We have to be leading innovation and change in the space sector to ensure that our industry will be competitive” said Ms Naja. “You can see from today’s event that there is such wide participation in terms of entities represented, it is a great opportunity for networking, creating new partnerships and, eventually, creating new space applications and services.”

As is fitting for a space agency, there were a number of important launches to celebrate during the conference. Whilst the focus of the event was very much on future potential, it was also a chance to celebrate the important work carried out to date.  The new BASS Societal Dossier, unveiled at the event, analyses the impact of the 500 million Euro invested in more than 1,000 companies since 2010. Also newly published, the updated Green Dossier details how BASS projects are contributing to sustainability goals and the green transition across multiple sectors.

Over the two days of inspirational speakers and stimulating panel discussions, there was also plenty of opportunity for networking, forging new collaborations and strengthening existing partnerships. Two new Memoranda of Intent (MOI) were signed at the event, the first with Prototypes for Humanity, an initiative by the Art Dubai Group supporting the most promising innovations towards commercial viability through partnership with government, industry and potential investors. The second MOI was signed with the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), outlining common objectives around improving sustainability and circularity in sport, protecting the environment and reducing emissions. The agreement originally signed between ESA and the UN’s CEO Water Mandate in 2023 moved to its next phase at the conference, with a joint commitment to build on the success of the Digitising Water Resilience initiative which has already generated a series of commercially successful projects helping to protect vital water resources around the world.

Reflecting on the event as the last buses departed, Nick Appleyard, Head of Space Solutions at ESA, said “At BASS we are committed to developing products and services because they are actually needed, not just because we have the technical capability to do so. Events such as these are vital as they bring all the parties together – entrepreneurs, investors, experts and end-users - and I am delighted to see so many important connections being made here this week. We are already looking forward to next year’s event; now it’s over to industry to bring us their ideas and to innovate.”

Pitch companies:

• BatteryCycle
• Bilmo
• e-Ray
• Hermes Traffic Intelligence
• ICEYE
• i-EM
• Kayrros
• Krucial
• Latitudo 40
• Marple
• MPC Research
• My Coast
• Plastic-i
• safeBACK
• Scalian
• SolarCleano
• Space4Good
• Space Solar
• Trade in Space
• Tunnll

Earlier this month, ESA joined global leaders, innovators and policy makers at the Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, one of the most significant global events about urban innovation and sustainability, to promote the role space can play in the development of Smart Cities. At the event, experts representing ESA showcased a selection of its high-impact projects developed as part of the Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) programme, demonstrating ESA’s commitment to addressing critical urban and environmental challenges harnessing space technology.

Urban centres face mounting environmental, social, and infrastructure pressures, and space technologies offer unique solutions to these complex issues. Through the BASS programme, ESA is playing a crucial role in developing technologies that enhance city resilience, environmental sustainability, and data-driven planning. Initiatives from ESA’s Smart and Green Cities Task Force are dedicated to solving challenges such as air quality monitoring, energy efficiency, and climate resilience, ensuring cities can effectively adapt to evolving needs.

Satellite technology provides valuable support in urban planning and infrastructure management. Space-derived data can map urban heat islands, assess air quality, monitor green spaces, and track city-wide energy consumption patterns. These insights enable smarter, quicker decision-making for urban planners and policymakers, promoting sustainable city growth.

At the event, Rita Rinaldo, ESA’s Head of Applications Projects & Studies Division, joined an expert panel on 'Transforming City Life with Advanced Digital Services,' highlighting how space data and technologies can address smart city challenges, strengthen business propositions, and drive cross-sector innovation for large-scale adoption. She also outlined ESA initiatives aimed at urban sustainability, connectivity, and liveability. Similarly, ESA’s Senior Sustainability Applications Officer, Beatrice Barresi, presented 'How Space Solutions Can Support Smart and Green Cities,' showcasing sustainable solutions—both environmental and economic—that benefit city officials and communities. Addressing transport, energy, and infrastructure challenges, these services create economic value for developers while promoting environmental sustainability and supporting cities' green transition goals.

During the event, ESA also showcased some of its high-impact projects on its stand, including Airmine, which uses satellite data to monitor air quality and deliver real-time, hyper-local pollution data. Airmine’s innovative approach addresses a crucial need in modern cities, where air quality affects millions daily, empowering both citizens and policymakers to make informed choices. Such projects demonstrate ESA’s broad support for solutions that tackle urban challenges, including public health, climate resilience, and biodiversity preservation.

Reflecting on the event, Rita Rinaldo said “Participating at Smart Cities Expo has been inspiring and fruitful, featuring conversations and exchanges with municipalities representatives, technology providers and space sector players, all engaged in addressing the needs of smart cities. We have promoted the unique value that space contributes to addressing challenges faced by cities today as well as those anticipated in the future. This is why we have initiated the Space for Smart and Green Cities Task Force, bringing together city representatives and sector associations, to connect space and non-space ecosystems and drive future initiatives.”

Inspiring future generations is an important element of ESA’s mission to foster sustainable urban development and as part of SCEWC, ESA hosted a group of 50 local schoolchildren, between the ages of 9-11, for an interactive learning experience. Through engaging, hands-on activities, ESA aimed to spark curiosity about the role of space technology in addressing urban challenges and to inspire young minds to think creatively about building a more sustainable world.

ESA’s active participation in the Smart City Expo World Congress, is part of its commitment to smarter, greener cities that prioritise sustainability, inclusivity, and resilience. This vision will continue to drive its Smart and Green Cities initiatives and collaborative projects long after the event and ensure ESA remains at the forefront of sustainable urban development, by pioneering innovative uses of space technology to transform the cities of tomorrow.

Last month, the InnoSPACE Masters Final Event took place in Berlin, Germany, bringing visionary startups, SMEs, and established companies together with industry leaders and representatives from the organisers DLR, ESA, Airbus, Mercedes-Benz and OHB SE. With a focus on driving forward innovative solutions, the 2024 edition took on the inspiring theme, “Space up your life – Innovation for a smarter Earth and Space”.

The INNOSpace Masters is an international innovation competition organised by the German Space Agency DLR in cooperation with ESA, Airbus, Mercedes-Benz and OHB. The competition offers six different challenges and is open to companies of all sizes, startups, research institutions and universities, as well as individuals from all over the world.

This year's competition featured groundbreaking entries in the Business Applications Challenge “Space for every Industry” category, highlighting the most promising commercial applications of space technologies to benefit society for a sustainable future. The spotlight in the final event was on the top three winners in this challenge, each offering cutting-edge solutions with tangible real-world impact:

1st Place: Hula Earth, Biodiversity Monitoring with Satellites and LoT Sensors

2nd Place: TALOS GmbH, Harnessing Animals’ Intelligence from Space

3rd Place: Panda Insight, VitalFusion: Blending Health and Climate Data

These standout projects reflect the powerful role of space technology in fostering real-world impact and innovation across industries.

Hula Earth’s innovative approach to biodiversity monitoring captured the attention of the judging panel, securing them the top prize. Presented by Rita Rinaldo, ESA’s Head of Applications Projects & Studies Division, and Anke Freimuth, Programme Coordinator ESA-ARTES Business Applications, DLR, Hula Earth was recognised for its outstanding contributions in three main areas:

1. Market Potential: Hula Earth’s comprehensive biodiversity monitoring and impact assessment platform serves sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, and infrastructure. With the global environmental monitoring market projected to double in value from €20 billion in 2020 to €40 billion by 2030, Hula Earth’s solution stands poised to capture significant market opportunities.
2. Innovation: Leveraging high-resolution satellite imagery integrated with IoT sensor data, Hula Earth delivers previously unavailable biodiversity data with unparalleled accuracy, real-time insights, and automated compliance reporting-all within a single, unified platform.
3. Environmental Impact: As a tool for natural resource management, Hula Earth empowers organisations to make environmentally responsible decisions, contributing to global sustainability.

Rita Rinaldo said, “These standout projects underscore how space technology can deliver transformative solutions across a broad-range of sectors, benefiting communities and industries on Earth.”

To seize the commercial potential of their ideas, the three winning projects will receive ESA support, including potential funding from ESA’s Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) programme. In addition, the winners receive personalised support from members of the ESA BASS team and technical and commercial guidance.

The event also featured talks from high-profile speakers, highlighting the importance of technology transfer across space and non-space sectors. Geraldine Naja, ESA’s Director of Commercialisation, Industry and Competitiveness delivered a keynote on Accelerating Commercialisation: Shaping Europe’s New Space Economy.

Building on this year’s success, the InnoSPACE Masters competition will open once again for more cutting-edge proposals on 15 January 2025. Innovators, startups, companies, research institutions and universities are encouraged to prepare transformative proposals that leverage New Space or space spin-offs and to seize this opportunity for funding and collaboration.

Stay updated on next year’s theme and application window and how your ideas could shape the future by visiting InnoSPACE Masters.