A new telemedicine service, leveraging augmented reality (AR) and satellite communication technology, is already benefiting patients in some of the hardest to reach regions of the globe. TeleAssist was developed by ArVICom and Arspectra in Luxembourg under ESA’s Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) programme and offers a ‘hands-free’ solution to healthcare challenges and inequalities.

In rural and remote areas there is limited access to specialised medical resources, with patients relying on the skills of nurses and general practitioners, rather than specialists and diagnostic equipment. Transferring patients to larger hospitals is not always practical or possible, particularly in emergency situations. TeleAssist bridges this gap between urban and rural facilities, providing high-quality healthcare for under-served communities.

Conventional telemedicine devices typically require a range of different information sources but the wearable TeleAssist AR headset combines these in real time. Integrated cameras allow remote experts to see exactlly what the local practicitioners see and do, minimising the risk of misunderstandings. The AR glasses also enable the remote experts to offer real-time guidance during the procedures. Multiple users can connect to the service, allowing it to be used to train medical students or as a platform for knowledge-sharing amongst medical professionals. The video feeds of medical devices can also be connected, allowing the remote practitioner to visualise the various medical images of the procedures remotely.

TeleAssist was piloted in the Czech Republic, Rwanda and Colombia over a 2-month period where it was used for remote medical consultations, treatment guidance and supervision during training. The feedback from the trials was overwhelmingly positive, and participants identified benefits for patients and an increase in the knowledge and skills of local medical staff, improving standards of healthcare in these communities.

In Colombia, the remote expert re-diagnosed a cardiac arrhythmia, resulting in a new, appropriate therapeutical approach and treatment for the patient. The local physician benefited from a learning experience in the correct interpretation of data and other interventions included identifying a missed case of tuberculosis. In Rwanda, the TeleAssist solution enabled guidance on the correct surgical procedures during a caesarean section to control bleeding and minimise infection, and, importantly, training for nursing staff on the organisation of surgical areas to maintain hygiene and reduce risks of infection. TeleAssist was also used successfully in training sessions for paramedics in the Czech Republic.

“Witnessing the positive impact of the TeleAssist system firsthand was both rewarding and moving” said Nina Kejzlarová, Project Manager at Arspectra. “The solution resonated not just with us, but also with the healthcare professionals using it. End-users rated the system an impressive 8.9 out of 10 for its potential to improve patient outcomes. The journey with ESA was incredible. We greatly appreciate their unwavering guidance and support throughout the project.”

Satellite communications (SatCom) underpin the success of the project as it provides reliable connectivity in regions which lack cellular networks or terrestrial infrastructure. SatCom is also more resilient to disruption from natural disasters, infrastructure damage or network congestion. By combining with traditional networks where available, TeleAssist is expanding the reach of telemedicine. Seamless connection is vital in order to provide uninterrupted communication between the medical expert and local providers to enhance patient care.

“TeleAssist is a powerful example of how space and terrestrial technologies can come together to address meaningful challenges” said Christopher Frost-Tesfaye, Business Applications and Partnerships Officer at ESA. “It was a pleasure to support this project which paves the way for the remotest regions to improve healthcare services and patients’ lives.”

Following the success of the pilot projects, ArViCom and Arspectra have increased the scope of TeleAssist to include surgical training and education applications with partner MedTech companies. In parallel, they are making efforts to scale the remote telepresence service to a broader range of developing regions and care services. Other industries have also expressed interest in the service and ArVICom is actively exploring opportunities to adapt TeleAssist for broader commercial applications across various industries.

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Representatives from ESA’s Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) programme had a busy few days in Poland last week, with a commitment to urban green transition taking centre stage. Based in Łódź, the Urban Future week brought together more than 2,000 city leaders, change-makers and urbanists with three back-to-back events dedicated to sustainable development, climate protection and zero-emission technologies.

The 3rd edition of the Local Government Climate Congress was first, with the goal to connect urban decision-makers, businesses and the scientific community to better tackle the challenges of climate change in the urban environment. It was followed by Urban Future – a leading sustainable cities event with an online community of more than 50,000 urban change-makers – and the trio of events concluded with a focus on zero-emission mobility at the Łódź Manufaktura EV Experience.

Vienna House by Wyndham Andel’s in Łódź, venue of the Local Government Climate Congress and Urban Future.

ESA took centre stage on day one in a special panel session to discuss the huge potential of satellite data in supporting cities – and specifically Łódź – in adapting to climate change.



Dr Nick Appleyard, Head of the BASS programme at ESA, said: “Satellites have a huge role to play in supporting and facilitating the green transition. That is why ESA is here today: we're here to build partnerships with cities, with infrastructure operators, and with the whole supply chain of digital services.



“Much of the green transition is based on data, insight, and telecommunications – and this is where satellites come in, and we come in. We help SMEs build the services which help solve the challenges of our growing cities, grappling with ever-growing populations and the impacts from extreme climate events.”

Dr Nick Appleyard (ESA) discusses the transformative role of satellite data and technology in helping cities like Łódź adapt for urban climate resilience.

The session culminated with the signing of the first of three agreements between ESA and Polish representatives. With pens put to paper, the City of Łódź joined a rapidly growing number of cities from all over the world to be a part of the ESA BASS programme’s Task Force for Smart and Green Cities – a powerful collective driving the development and delivery of shared innovative sustainability projects, and setting the agenda to future-proof urban spaces with the support of innovative space technology.



“It's great to have a strong friendship and cooperation with the mayor of Łódź and with her team,” said Dr Appleyard. “There's so much that we can do which comes together in the city environment where all the utilities, all the transport networks and all the social parts of people's activities are all happening simultaneously and coordinate with one another."



The mayor of Łódź, Hanna Zdanowska, stated that “becoming part of ESA’s Task Force marks another step for Łódź towards international cooperation. We want to help shape green, smart cities – and we believe our local strengths can make a difference on a European scale.” Her remarks underscored the city’s commitment to leveraging innovation and collaboration to drive sustainable urban development.

Hannah Zdanowska, Mayor of Łódź, with Dr Nick Appleyard (ESA) shake hands after signing a partnership agreement under the ESA BASS Task Force for Smart and Green Cities.

Another significant partnership agreement was signed on the second day of Urban Future Week, marking a special economic collaboration between ESA, the Marshal’s Office of the Łódź Voivodeship, and Łódź Special Economic Zone (LSSE) - one of the 14 Special Economic Zones in Poland which has also been designated a European Digital Innovation Hub by the European Union.



The purpose of this Memorandum of Intent is to mutually support the growth of SMEs in the region by facilitating business connections, creating new initiatives, and promoting funding opportunities.



Tomasz Sadzyński, President of the Board of LSSE, said: “The Memorandum of Intent signed with the European Space Agency represents a great opportunity for our SMEs. We have a lot in our region using innovative technologies, for example in the intermodal transport space, and we look forward to be able to accelerate them to do even more and even better.”

Pictured from left to right: Tomasz Sadzyński (President of the Board, Łódź Special Economic Zone), Joanna Skrzydlewska (Marshal of the Łódź Region), and Piotr Wojtysiak (Vice-Marshal of the Łódź Region) during the signing of a Memorandum of Intent with ESA to support SME growth and innovation.

Completing the hat trick of agreements, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed at the EV Experience by ESA and the Polish Association for New Mobility (PSNM). Cooperation between ESA and PSNM will enable the exchange of knowledge and the implementation of joint projects, supporting the development of innovations in electromobility and the use of satellite data in transport.



Aleksander Rajch, co-founder and board member of PSNM, said: “This is a huge step for us - we want to be competitive, we want to be innovative, and this is why we need these kinds of partnerships. ESA brings an acumen that we could never reach on a local, smaller, more regional level.”

Aleksander Rajch (Co-founder and Board Member, PSNM) and Dr Nick Appleyard (ESA) shake hands following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to advance innovation in electromobility and satellite-supported transport solutions.

At the end of these busy few days in Poland, Dr Appleyard concluded: “There's a real energy and a feeling of positivity, cooperation, and social cohesion here, which we have really appreciated over the last three days. And as part of this, we've secured three cooperation agreements, which are going to become the focal points of our work in the city sector and mobility sectors.”

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HARVIC Essential delivers an innovative satellite crop monitoring service that is transforming the production of one of the world’s key food crops, potatoes, by providing objective and practical real-time data on growing conditions and stress factors. Offered by GEO4A, in partnership with Hermess B.V. and GeoVille GmbH and with the support of ESA’s Business Application and Space Solutions (BASS) programme, the insightful HARVIC services have already been adopted by key industry players in the Netherlands. It is now being rolled out to the EU’s other top potato production Member States Germany, Belgium and France.  

The potato industry is a cornerstone of global agriculture and food security, ranking as the fourth most important food crop worldwide. Europe stands out as a regional leader in global potato production, with the market value of potatoes produced in the EU standing at 3.6 billion euros.   

The industry is facing significant challenges, ranging from limited arable land and declining soil quality to increasing environmental regulations, more extreme climate events, and economic uncertainties. Responding to these challenges calls for a shift from a traditional farming approach, which relies on human experience and subjective decision-making, toward data-driven agriculture, where timely, accurate and actionable insights drive competitive and sustainable crop development, quality and yield.   

HARVIC Essential directly addresses the needs of seed potato companies and processors, from improving supply chain management to optimising field operations. It offers a seamless combination of optical and radar satellite imagery, advanced and localised weather data, and ground sensors. Together with customer data and advanced analytical tools, the service provides practical and relevant insights that bring direct savings and commercial benefits.  

"With HARVIC Essential, we’re empowering the potato industry to embrace precision and resilience in the face of change. With real-time, reliable data in the hands of those who need it most, we’re changing the game—from how potatoes are grown and managed, to how their value is maximised throughout Europe," Christian Hoffmann, Founder and Managing Director of GEO4A. 

“HARVIC Essential is a great example of how advanced satellite technology can be combined with other data and analytics to respond to challenges we have here on Earth,” said Francesco Feliciani, Head of the Company-led Projects Section at ESA.  

The service has already achieved market validation from some of the largest and most influential names in the potato industry, such as Agrico and Farm Frites.  These businesses played an integral role in shaping the service during the pilot phase and have now transitioned to become commercial clients, helping to form a solid foundation for further expansion. 

Companies involved in the pilot have reported high satisfaction with the service. Benefits include: 

• Optimising field selection for early export, thereby reducing costs and improving quality 
• Accurate yield forecasting 
• Better stock management and contract negotiations 
• Streamlining resource planning 

Looking further ahead, HARVIC Essential is expanding for wider adoption across Europe. GEO4A and its partners are actively exploring strategic partnerships and integrations to enhance further value for seed companies, processors, and food retailers in major potato cultivation areas. 

In parallel, GEO4A will intensify its role as an Earth Observation data provider for the potato industry. Using more advanced climate modelling and localised risk indicators will lead to a downstream service that aims to support sustainable farming practices that are resilient to extreme weather events, droughts, and shifting growing seasons.  

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We are stepping into a future of smarter, greener, and more connected logistics and the European Space Agency’s Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) programme is playing an important role in that transformation. Last week, key stakeholders from the logistics sector gathered at the Italian Space Agency (ASI) headquarters in Rome, in a joint initiative led by ESA, ASI and the Italian Coast Guard. The workshop delved into the logistics sector’s needs, challenges and trends, including efficiency, sustainability, and resilience. Speakers and participants investigated the potential roles of current and emerging space data in transforming this vital sector.

Giancarlo N. Varacalli (ASI) welcoming attendees to the Space-Enabled Solutions for the Future of Logistics Workshop.

Commander Pierluigi Milella of the Italian Coast Guard's keynote speech underscored the critical role of timing and collaboration in the logistics sector, focusing on the need to look beyond traditional approaches, including towards space, to discover new opportunities together. Commander Milella also highlighted the strategic significance of hosting the event in Italy, a country defined by its vast railway network and its geographic significance for the maritime sector.

His message was echoed by Nick Appleyard, Head of Business Applications and Solutions at ESA, who noted, “We have a great partnership with the Italian Coast Guard, with port authorities, the maritime industry, and many individual companies who are building services as part of this immensely complicated interoperating system which is keeping global trade moving.”

Rita Rinaldo, Head of Projects and Studies Implementation Division for ESA and Mauro Cardone, Head of Navigation Sector at ASI introduced ESA and ASI programmes, with a focus on how BASS can support the development of space-enabled services in this sector. These include innovative and commercially sustainable services that use satellite navigation, Earth observation, and satellite communications to improve supply chain visibility, optimise transport routes, and support greener and more efficient operations.

Rita Rinaldo, Head of Projects and Studies Implementation Division for ESA presenting the BASS programme to attendees.

Keynote speakers Marco Brancati, Senior Vice President of Leonardo Space, and Giuseppe Tomasicchio, Senior Manager at Telespazio, outlined how satellite technologies are driving innovation in logistics across Europe through enabling precise drone navigation, hybrid satellite and terrestrial networks. They also explained their involvement in monitoring underwater critical infrastructures such as pipelines, windfarms and subsea cables.

In the afternoon, two panel discussions brought together voices from across the logistics, maritime, and space sectors, highlighting the practical value of space-enabled innovation. The first set the tone for the day with insights into current challenges and opportunities in maritime and intermodal transport. The second explored how space technology is already helping companies improve operations, with speakers sharing concrete examples of how ESA support is enabling partnerships and accelerating innovation on the ground.

Pictured from left to right: Enrico Spinelli (ESA), Matteo Prantner (Italian Coast Guard), Edoardo D’Andrea (CONFITARMA), Sergio Prete (Port Network Authority of the Ionian Sea), and Paola Cossu (ALICE and FIT Consulting).

Frederick Ronse, CEO of Ovinto, noted how ESA’s BASS programme provided not only funding but also crucial credibility during his pitch at the industry panel section of the workshop. This support from BASS secured them a collaboration with SNCF Groupe and validation through ESA. The session demonstrated how BASS is helping businesses turn ideas into real-world solutions by offering funding and technical support to European industry. During this session, Paul Rizos, Senior Business Analyst at UK based company Darwin Innovation Group, shared how their successful collaboration with BASS has enabled them to deploy their connected and autonomous vehicle (CAV) service, which can help reduce road emissions within ports and harbours.

Pictured from left to right: Adriana G. Castriotta (ASI), Paolo Pagano (CNIT Laboratory at the Port of Livorno), Frederick Ronse (Ovinto), Paul Rizos (Darwin Innovation Group), Mirko Antonini (SpaceExe), Andrea Condotta (ALICE and Gruber Logistics), and Enrico Spinelli (ESA).

The workshop concluded with closing remarks from Nick Appleyard, who offered a concise and uplifting summary. He emphasised the importance of collective action in building a better future, reminding participants that at the heart of every innovation are people, and that our shared responsibility to the planet must guide our efforts.

“What is really needed,” he noted, “is for all of these different systems and all of these different parts of industry to work together... to interoperate, and for the people responsible to cooperate with each other.”

His words left a lasting impression, energising participants to face the sector’s challenges with clarity, purpose and a renewed sense of collaboration. The event fostered new partnerships and underscored the value of space-enabled innovation in improving logistics and agreement that the sector is well-positioned for meaningful progress, driving smarter, more sustainable transport systems.

Pictured from left to right: Enrico Spinelli (ESA), Matteo Prantner (Italian Coast Guard), Commander Pierluigi Milella (Italian Coast Guard), Rita Rinaldo (ESA), and Paolo Pagano (CNIT Laboratory at the Port of Livorno).

Organisations interested in developing space-enabled solutions can submit proposals through ESA BASS’s generic Open Call for Proposals, which continuously accepts projects aimed at developing commercial services that utilise space technology. In addition, the Space for Intermodal Transport call is currently open for proposals focused on the development of sustainable space-based services and applications for intermodal transport.

Access all event presentations here