The ESA Payload Masters aims at promoting and scouting for innovative in-orbit experiments and novel technologies for payloads, while also facilitating the democratisation of space exploration for space and non-space industries.
This opportunity was initiated by ESA in partnership with AZO Anwendungszentrum GmbH Oberpfaffenhofen and in cooperation with The Exploration Company (TEC). The competition is open to start-ups, SMEs and research centers in ESA member states and its main goal is to provide access to in-Orbit Demonstration and Validation (IOD/IOV).
As Géraldine Naja, Director, Commercialisation, Industry and Procurement at ESA, states:
“In-Orbit Demonstration and/or Validation (IOD/IOV) of space products and services is a key ingredient of business plans in order to be considered competitive and credible, and, therefore, becoming attractive for private investors to scale-up the company. With the Payload Masters competition, the Agency intends to provide new available flight opportunities for SME and start-ups, and to support the development of a globally competitive European space industry.”
Also on the programme, she adds:
“But the Payload Masters approach is also a demonstration of the new role that ESA embodies when partnering with industrial players developing innovative commercial solutions a’ la new space. By placing a small service contract with The Exploration Company for the provision of the flight opportunities to the two winners of the Payload Masters competition, we contribute to the stabilisation of the business case of the service provider, providing funding while allowing industry to explore innovative development approaches, taking more risk and being eventually quicker to hit the markets.”
The top 6 finalists of the ESA Payload Masters will get the possibility to pitch at a dedicated session during the Spring School on Space Commercialisation and Start-ups in Bari, Italy, on 23 – 24 May 2023. The 2 selected winners will then be awarded at the ESA Booth at the Paris Airshow, on 19 – 25 June 2023, and will be offered the opportunity to fly their payloads/microgravity experiments on board of Nyx, a modular and reusable orbital vehicle provided by TEC, for the “Mission Possible” mission.
Hélène Huby, Co-Founder & CEO at The Exploration Company, adds:
“As space economy is changing fast and booming, there is a critical need for accelerating space innovation pace in Europe. Is it our mission to contribute to this objective with our vehicle Nyx. We are honored to do it in cooperation with ESA and excited to welcome on board Nyx new technologies that we will demonstrate in-orbit together with the most innovative European companies.“
Application are open until 30 April 2023.
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