During the Living Planet Symposium, colleagues from ESA’s Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) programme presented their approach to drive purposeful innovation through international cooperation. They shared examples of innovative funding calls completed with partners as it supports the transition into a sustainable, green, and digital Europe.

The space ecosystem is experiencing exponential transformation of business models, with new space players, including startups, and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), entering space markets at an unprecedented rate. New applications and business models which would have been unthinkable only a few years ago are now standing up to provide breakthrough solutions to today’s environmental, social, and economic challenges, benefitting the public, private sector and society at large.

One of the key objectives of ESA’s Telecommunications and Integrated Applications (TIA) Directorate in support of the green transition and of the ESA accelerator “Space For A Green Future” is to build partnerships with champions, early adopters, and anchor users to foster development and utilisation of upstream and downstream end-to-end connectivity solutions complemented by big data/AI and other space resources for delivering green impact.

Innovation calls with private and public partners were presented at the Living Planet Symposium as examples of fruitful cooperation with non-space players to create seeds for decarbonisation and green benefits. These include:

• Space Applications to Advance Innovation on Circular Cities
• Space for Hydro Energy Sector
• Green Buildings Services
• Plastic-Less Society
• Urban Green
• Space and Digital Transformation for Green Energy Utilities
• Digital Transformation and Green Economy 
• Space for Tourism

“Partnerships are central to reach out to communities that are key to the green transition,” expressed Rita Rinaldo, Head of the Projects & Studies Implementation Division, ESA Space Solutions. “Collecting their needs, facilitating networking and collaborations with space and downstream communities are key to effectively promote space utilisation to non-space communities.”

During the event, ESA colleagues also met with partners to strengthen existing collaborations. Agri-food is one of the key sectors impacted by climate change and geo-political challenges. It was agreed to increase the involvement and engagement of key agri-food businesses and corporates operating in the food supply chain, leveraging on their extended networks.

ESA is partnering with the Financial Times (FT) to explore the opportunities for Investing in Space

As the space economy evolves, what are the practical steps to successful investment in this new asset class? How do you evaluate space businesses and determine the risks and potential ROI? Will the upward investment trajectory continue? How does space align with ESG strategies and fit into existing portfolios? How might escalating geopolitical conflict increase public sector investment in space technologies?

FT's Investing in Space summit will bring together government agencies, investors, and technology companies to explore how the commercial space business is maturing and the extent to which it is providing fertile ground or sustainable investment. Leveraging the convening power of the FT, and through expert moderation, the event will provide an update on the latest technology, insight on investment opportunities, and analysis of the future of space as a new asset class.

The first day (June 8th) will be a virtual programme, and the second day (June 9th) will bring speakers, delegates and partners together in-person in London.

Please see here for more information and registration. 

Some of the topics that will be presented are as follows:  

• Will the current investment boom continue? With historically high rates of failure and few companies attracting revenues, let alone making profits, the business of space is not without risk. But with high risk, comes the potential for high rewards.
• How can public-private collaboration provide a new framework for growth? A robust space sector is dependent on policies and mechanisms that support and de-risk investment; in light of this, public-private collaboration will be key in enabling the next generation of space innovation.
• Spotlight on the US - Fuelling the space economy The maturity of the US space economy is far ahead of the rest of the world. Will government support and investment frameworks continue to provide fertile conditions for investment and innovation?
• The Investor's Perspective As space activity increases, a growing number of potential investors are considering the options for successful involvement in this new asset class.
• Taking European Space to the next-level: ESA Agenda 2025. Keynote by ESA Director General, Josef Aschabacher.
• How can investment in space support sustainability goals on Earth? New space technologies are offering innovative solutions to tackle the climate crisis here on earth. However emerging technologies must be supported with robust regulatory framework which ensures a safe and sustainable future for space that crucially protects planet Earth. Panellists include ESA Director General, Josef Aschabacher.
• Space Governance: How can we ensure space is secure, safe and sustainable? With the private sector taking an increasingly prominent role in shaping the future of the space economy- who is really setting the rules for space?
• Investing in space as an enabler of sustainable industrial growth. From automotive to pharmaceutical, a host of industries which were not previously active in the space arena, are pursuing new investment opportunities.
• Investing in talent and skills for the future space economy. With escalating demand for both technical and non-technical expertise, the skills gap continues to widen. Public-private collaboration will be key to enable the next generation of skills for the space economy.
• How can SMEs secure the financing to achieve commercial viability? This session will bring together the perspectives from Venture Capital, SMEs and accelerators as they discuss funding and experiences and achieving commercial viability.
• What new innovations are over the horizon? How will the shift be made from science fiction to reality when considering new innovations such as space-based solar power, robotic manufacturing and lunar habitats?
• Space Innovation Showcase. This session will convene the next-generation of space trailblazers who will showcase their innovations in a series of 5 min elevator pitches. Moderated by ESA's Frank Salzgeber, Head of Innovation and Ventures Office.

The commodities market is benefitting from a new solution that monitors climate risks and emissions in its supply chain, thanks to a project co-funded through ESA’s Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) 4.0 programme. The SMOCGEO product from Sust Global applies machine learning methods to space-derived data to provide both long-term and near real-time monitoring, providing insights to support sustainability in the market.

Weather and other climate-related events can have a significant impact on commodity prices. Commodities market intelligence firms are therefore keen to access information on global patterns of climate activity and their corresponding effects on commodities prices, enabling customers to predict business disruptions and adapt their operations accordingly. Despite increasing availability of climate data, the challenge has always been to access information that is both timely and forward-looking – something that Sust Global sought to address in its Sustainability Monitoring of Commodities using Geospatial Analytics (SMOCGEO) project by applying machine learning to satellite data.

How climate events affect commodity prices

Commodities such as raw materials or agricultural products have supply chains that are highly exposed to the effects of climate change, such as wildfires, flooding, drought or cyclones. 

For example, when Taiwan's total rainfall in the first quarter of 2021 was 22% lower than its average, some areas of Taichung faced water supply cuts for two days every week. This included Taiwan’s leading semiconductor producer, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), which uses 150,000 tons of water every day in the process of making semiconductors. TSMC produces 92% of the world’s most sophisticated chips, so the lack of water caused a shortage of new devices that incorporate them, such as smartphones and other smart devices. 

Financial markets need to be able to take into account risks, including those linked to climate change, when they place a value on assets in order to support informed decision-making. Related to this, companies, banks, and investors have to comply with emissions reporting standards and frameworks, such as the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), set up by the Financial Stability Board in the US. Cheaper and more up-to-date information on emissions are therefore highly desirable.

Delivering timely emissions data

Commodities supply chains include industries that emit high levels of emissions, especially mines and smelters. However, until now, methods of gathering emissions data for greenhouse gases such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) have been both expensive and backwards looking, relying on statistical sampling from physical site visits or data that is 6 to 12 months out of date. 

Sust Global has tackled this by fusing satellite data with geospatial data and machine learning techniques to transform complex climate data into meaningful information for corporates and financial institutions. This provides customers with high quality physical climate risk exposure and emissions data on an asset-by-asset basis. 

To monitor emissions, SMOCGEO uses data from the TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) on the Sentinel-5P satellite, which monitors both SO2 and NO2 emissions. It then applies satellite-derived technology to improve the cadence and resolution of forward-looking climate risk datasets. For example, using wildfire detection sensors from NASA’s Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on the Terra and Aqua satellites helps increase the resolution of its predictive models by 16 times compared with existing solutions. Data is made available on a weekly or monthly basis. 

New indicators on global activity and sustainability based on satellite and machine learning technologies, such as factory activity and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, are also available. 

Josh Gilbert, CEO of Sust Global, says: “Through the SMOCGEO project, we have been able to commercialise satellite-derived data and serve it to multiple customers. ESA’s support has been critical to our early success as a start-up, and has helped us to bring cutting-edge sustainability insights and analytics to market.”

With the project now complete, the product is being used by paying blue chip customers, whose feedback is being incorporated into further development. Sust Global’s cloud-based technical infrastructure enables analysts to intuitively interact with millions of data points across the globe, turning raw data into operational business insights.

The European Space Agency (ESA) has joined the Global Alliance for Sustainable Energy as it works with stakeholders to achieve its target to boost commercialisation for a green and digital Europe.

Society is currently experiencing a green transition, which is revolutionising business models, technology innovation and use, consumption and offering of applications, and sharing of knowledge. Space can offer sustainable and commercial solutions for a decarbonised, green economy. 

The energy sector is at the start of a pathway of exponential improvements:  space and digital technologies play a relevant role to support policy, decision making and green investments, and overall enable purposeful transformation of the energy sector and its transition to circular economy.  In particular, hybrid terrestrial-satellite 5G networks have a strong potential to support such green transformation for the energy utility sector and beyond, enabling green transition in key vertical markets.

The objective of the Global Alliance for Sustainable Energy is to foster and promote sustainability along the entire renewable energy value chain with a particular focus on environmental, social, governance and circular economy pillars. Joining the alliance will offer ESA new opportunities to establish collaboration frameworks to unleash the potential of space assets to contribute to the energy transition and deliver net positive socio-economic and environmental impact at scale.

ESA’s Agenda 2025 outlines the challenges ahead as the agency seeks to maintain and grow Europe’s role in the space economy. Its vision declares “To meet our ambitions for a green, digital, safe and inclusive Europe and world, we need to accelerate the use of space in Europe.” To this end, ESA recently launched three accelerators to unite European space actors to collectively put their strengths and excellence to work to drive the use of space. “Space for a Green Future” will support not only living and working towards a more sustainable life on Earth, but also aid decision makers in reaching carbon neutrality by 2050  and offer sustainable and commercial solutions for a decarbonised and green economy. It will add value to ESA’s role as a leader of space technology and applications, as well as in developing next-generation architectures.

“I’m pleased to be working with the Global Alliance for Sustainable Energy to realise the potential of space to enable the transformation of the energy sector and its transition to a circular economy. This is a great example on how ESA is promoting integrated space applications to play a key role in sustainable development and green growth. This collaboration will pave the way to the Space for a Green Future Accelerator, where public and private actors will join forces demonstrating the value of space in delivering green benefits in the vertical markets, including the energy sector.“ says Rita Rinaldo, Head of the Partner-led and Thematic Initiatives Section, ESA Space Solutions.

Through its Business Applications programme, ESA’s Telecommunications and Integrated Applications (TIA) Directorate is supporting businesses from every area of the economy that involves space-related applications including in sustainability. 

‘‘Collaboration with users and potential stakeholders is key for ESA to promote pioneering technical and business space solutions supporting a green transition. Joining the Global Alliance for Sustainable Energy will enable us to address core industry challenges that will enable us to deliver a real, measurable benefit to society, businesses, and the economy,’’ says Elodie Viau, Director of Telecommunications and Integrated Applications at ESA.

Find out more about ESA's part in the Alliance on the member page here.

This story is part of our new story series: Meet the Ambassador. In this new series, we’re going to introduce you to the great teams across our Network that are using space to develop business applied in daily life. Curious about their highlights and advice? Read on.

1.    Who is the ESA Ambassador Platform For Belgium?

Nicolas Helssen represents the Ambassador Platform for Belgium. He rotates his work stations between the Belgian Science Policy Office (Brussels), the ESA Space Solutions Centre Belgium (Kruibeke), and his home office (Antwerp). The activities of the Belgian ambassador have been running since 2013, during which over 40 Belgian companies have been contracted and over €10 million of financial support has been granted.

2.    Tell us about the people in your team and what strength/added value do you bring through.

I am Nicolas Helssen and combine an economic and commercial background with over 10 years of practical work experience in the space domain. In addition to the ambassador role, I am also the ESA BIC (Business Incubation Centre) Belgium Incubation Manager. Furthermore, I implement and oversee a few European programmes in the realm of space such as the Copernicus Incubation programme, the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) Point IoT programme, and other space-related mentoring or acceleration programmes.

3.    What has inspired you to work in the space industry?

Space has always been the domain of exploration, cutting-edge technology, and visionary thinking. Not only does space offer an exciting environment to develop applications respecting the triple bottom line (profit, people, planet), it is also one of the only areas that allows us to achieve a triple ROI (Return on Investment, Innovation and Inspiration).

4.    Do you look for/have companies working to solve big world problems? 

We look for companies that are able to solve big world problems one small problem at a time. If a Belgian company can propose a solution, powered by space, that is commercially feasible while still supporting a better environment and enhancing the safety of people, we will invite them with open arms.

5.    Please present between 1 and maximum 4 examples with the name of the start-up, website and a short sentence of what are they doing. 

ESNAH is a prime example of an innovative Belgian start-up that started with the idea of creating an electronic flight bag for aviators, and then realised that with all of the space data at their disposal they could leverage their expertise to develop many other solutions. They are now using space data and connectivity to offer advanced business intelligence to actors in the airport, maritime and pharmaceutical industry.

Ovinto initially aimed to develop a monitoring service for hazardous goods in unpowered rail assets, powered by a satellite enabled IoT device. After a few years in the market and working with ESA, their service now encompasses a complete cloud-based platform which collects any type of relevant data from rail containers (temperature, pressure, position, damage) as well monitors operations performance in real-time, and automates a variety features for their customers, powered by Galileo positioning and satellite communication. 

6.    Would you like to share an interesting/inspiring story from one of your alumni?  

Seafar, which supports the operation of autonomous maritime vessels, has launched the first world-wide Shore Control Centre in 2022. This means that it is offering AI-powered, satellite enabled, unmanned navigation of automated vessels on fixed trajectories in the port environment and inland waterways. The sensor fusion of space data, LiDAR (light detection and ranging), radar, cameras, and application of AI/ML (artificial intelligence/machine learning) algorithms is allowing for optimisation on a scale never before seen.

7.    What is your advice for aspiring entrepreneurs? 

Don’t be afraid to approach your local ambassador with your space ideas. Even if your business idea might not fit within a specific ESA programme at this time, there are many early stage mentoring, pre-incubation or hackathon programmes that may help push you in the right direction.

8.    Using one word, how would you describe the ESA Space Solutions community?  

“Neighbourly” – Your local contact point should be your informal, friendly neighbourhood ambassador. Always open to have a chat or a drink!

9.    How would you solve problems if you were from Mars? 

If I were from Mars, I would not solve problems. I would BE the problem. (Ak ak ak!)

10.    What is your website link where the readers can find more about you? 

You can find out more about the ESA Ambassador Platform for Belgium at ESA Space Solutions Belgium.

ABOUT ESA SPACE SOLUTIONS

ESA Space Solutions is the go-to place for great business ideas involving space in all areas of society and economy. Our mission is to support entrepreneurs in Europe in the development of business using satellite applications and space technology to improve everyday life.

Together with DLR (German Aerospace Centre) and ESA BIC Bavaria, ESA Space Solutions organised the 19th Edition of the ESA Investor Forum which took place in Berlin from 16-17 May 2022. Cutting edge technology met Europe’s investment ecosystem and institutional thought leaders gave key notes and panel discussions on essential space-related topics.

The ESA Investor Forum is the high-profile event for space-related investment opportunities and connects start-ups and scale-ups from the ESA network with European investors. The international meeting takes place on a regular basis to boost large-scale investments in space technologies. 

Berlin, the capital of Germany, is one of the most vibrant start-up hubs in Europe, attracting German and international talent. Over 60% of venture capital invested in Germany goes to Berlin-based start-ups.

In preparation of the ESA Council Meeting at Ministerial Level (CM22), the ESA Investor Forum showcased the work done in promoting innovation in Germany and Europe by the ESA Business Incubation Centre (BIC) programme. Start-ups in the fields of connectivity, mobility, new space and industrial automation presented how space technology will revolutionize our society and our way to make business.

The event took place over two days. The first day comprised presentation and panel discussions on how to better support space-related innovation. The ESA Investor Forum brought perspectives from entrepreneurs, institutions, private venture capital and public capital markets. 

Josef Aschbacher, ESA’s Director General, stated “The ESA Investor Forum in one of the key platforms delivering on the market ambitions of ESA’s Agenda 2025, enabling new space companies to fuel their growth through private finance leaping beyond the support provide by ESA and Member States through projects and institutional budgets.”

Germany's space-related successes like DCubed, OroraTech, Lilium and Reflex Aerospace provided their perspectives. Following a long-lasting tradition of hardware developments in Germany, these companies are references for any space entrepreneur that would like to accept the challenge and become part of one of the future’s largest industries.

“Hardware is HARD”, Patrick Nathen, co-founder and VP Product at Lilium stated at the event. The hardware route is significantly more difficult than the software one followed by many innovative entrepreneurs nowadays, however it is the way to deliver truly transformative societal innovations.

Private investors stated that, although the road ahead will be bumpy, pace is, undoubtedly, one of the largest industries of the future, and significant capital deployment will be necessary. 

“We need incentives to make easier mobilising more capital intro space innovation”, said Joram Voelklein, investment partner at Alpine Space Ventures. And despite the goal of many private investors to ensure an IPO, “becoming publicly listed is another chapter in the story of a company, and it can be counterproductive if you are not ready for it”, said Niels Tomm, representative of the Board at Deutsche Börse.

The second day concentrated on start-up and scale-up pitching and interaction between entrepreneurs and investors. 22 start-ups and scale-ups pitched their solutions to an audience of investors in two different sessions competing for the awards of best pitch in the start-up and scale-up categories. The winners were:

• KTW Technology as best Scale-up (looking for series A investment or later)
• Klaus Space as best start-up (looking for seed financing)

DLR presented on stage their vision towards the incubation programme. Dr Walther Pelzer, Member of the Board of Directors of DLR announced their commitment to double the budget allocated to the ESA BIC Programme.

Elodie Viau, Director of Telecommunications and Integrated Applications said “It is ESA’s ambition, in collaboration with Member States and stakeholders to provide the basis, frame and motor for Europe’s space ventures to be amongst the best in the world. Together we are accelerating the use of Space in Europe. Space telecommunications have been at the forefront of commercial space for many years, and we can say there has never been a better moment to invest in connectivity and space.”