CASE: Commercial Applications Enabled by Space Environments

Your Business in Orbit

Space can be the ideal environment to exploit a wide range of phenomena and physical processes that are not possible under the effects of gravity experienced on Earth, such as different fluid dynamics, material behaviour or cell biology. Besides microgravity, space offers extreme conditions, such as huge temperature differences and radiation, as well as an unobstructed vantage point for remote sensing or communication. All these characteristics can unlock benefits for commercial businesses on Earth in a wide range of sectors from energy to food and pharmaceuticals production.

Now, access to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) has become easier thanks to established space service providers operating onboard the International Space Station (ISS): ESA ISS Commercial Partners and other service providers offer unique services along with clear pricing policies, which cover the complete service chain from preparation, launch, operations onboard the ISS, to sample return. ISS facilities include both internal and external platforms – for a more detailed overview about existing ISS service providers and their ISS facilities, please visit the Business in Space Growth Network.

What We Offer

The Commercial Applications enabled by Space Environments (CASE) Open Call for Proposals supports the development of commercial services that benefit from microgravity and space environments.

CASE Feasibility Studies and Demonstration Projects are designed to assess, mature, and implement business concepts for new commercial services, products and applications that are enabled by existing space infrastructure related to human and robotic exploration. Eligible space infrastructure includes, for example, space-based facilities such as commercial services available aboard the International Space Station or, once available, future LEO and lunar infrastructure.

We offer funding and support to companies for business case assessment and spaceflight preparation as well as developing and piloting of new end-to-end services and products that benefit from space environments in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

• Zero-equity funding
• Personal ESA consultant
• Technical & commercial guidance
• Access to our network of partners
• Credibility of the ESA brand

Entrepreneurs with promising business ideas that benefit from LEO can consider the following two mechanisms on their journey from a customer driven business opportunity to operational services:

Summary of Funding Levels

What We Look For

• Attractive market opportunities and customer engagement
• Commercially viable service concepts
• Technically feasible solutions
• Added value of space environment in Low Earth Orbit
• Motivated teams with business and domain expertise, and a service provider enabling the access to space

How to Apply

To be eligible for funding, your team must be based in one of the following countries: ?? Austria, ?? Belgium, ?? Czech Republic, ?? Denmark, ?? Estonia, ?? Finland, ?? France, ?? Germany, ?? Greece, ?? Hungary, ?? Ireland, ?? Italy, ?? Lithuania, ?? Luxembourg, ?? Norway, ?? Poland, ?? Portugal, ?? Romania, ?? Sweden, ?? Switzerland, or the ?? United Kingdom. Teams can involve non-European entities, but their contribution to the activity cannot be funded by ESA.

Step 1: Activity Pitch Questionnaire

The Activity Pitch Questionnaire allows you to present your business idea in a reduced, standardised pitch. It helps us to quickly assess your idea and decide on the way forward.

1. Download the latest Activity Pitch Questionnaire.
2. Prepare your pitch and optionally consult with an ESA Business Applications Ambassador.
3. Submit your pitch

Upon submission of an Activity Pitch Questionnaire:

• We may share the submitted Activity Pitch Questionnaire with National Delegations for coordination purposes.
• We will assess your pitch.
• We will inform you about the results and next steps.

Note:

• For Step 3 (Full Proposal) you need authorisation from National Delegations of countries in which your and your partners’ organisations reside. We recommend liaising with them early.

Step 2: Outline Proposal

If we accept your Activity Pitch Questionnaire, we will invite you to prepare an Outline Proposal for a CASE Feasibility Study or Demonstration Project.

1. Download the Outline Proposal Template for a CASE Feasibility Study or CASE Demonstration Project.
2. Prepare your proposal, elaborating on your pitch.
3. Submit your Outline Proposal within 1 year from APQ submission.

Upon submission of an Outline Proposal:

• We may involve external experts in the proposal evaluation to coordinate activities within ESA Member States and the European Union.
• We will assess your proposal and may ask you to address clarification points.
• If all clarification points are sufficiently addressed, we will prepare a project dossier and request approval from our steering board, which meets quarterly.
• We will inform you about the results and next steps.

Step 3: Full Proposal

If we invite you to submit a Full Proposal:

1. Register your team on esa-star Registration today! If your team is made up of more than one organisation, each entity must register.
2. Download the official tender documents from esa-star Publication (Tender Action Number 1-11111).
3. Prepare your proposal using the official tender documents and reach out to your National Delegation to obtain a Letter of Authorisation.
4. Submit your proposal via esa-star Tendering within 8 months from an acceptable Outline Proposal.

Upon submission of a Full Proposal:

• An independent board will evaluate your proposal against criteria set out in the tender documentation.
• We may ask you to address clarification points identified during proposal evaluation and invite you to a negotiation meeting.
• Upon successful negotiation, we will send you a contract for signature and agree the project kick-off.

Webinars

Webinars are scheduled for the following dates:

• 10:00 BST/11:00 CEST, 18th May 2022
• 10:00 GMT/11:00 CET, 9th November 2022
  With guest speakers:
  • Hilde Stenuit – Ice Cubes (Space Applications Services)
  • Yannick Jego – Bartolomeo (Airbus)
  • David Stefano Zolesi - Bioreactor Express Service (Kayser Italia)