Following ESA’s Transformation objective, a new FIRST! Campaign for Reusability has been launched
FIRST! stands for “Future Innovation Research in Space Transportation” and is an initiative of the ESA Space Transportation (STS) Future Launchers Preparatory Programme (FLPP).
In line with decisions from the ESA Ministerial Council Meeting 2022, FIRST! designates a series of FLPP procurements in open competition, aimed at fostering disruptive technologies in Space Transportation and accelerating their de-risking through rapid prototyping and testing. The primary objective is to identify, select, and mature technologies with the potential to transform their respective fields.
In pursuit of these goals a new FIRST! campaign has been launched, focusing this time on key technologies in the domain of Reusability. Marking the inaugural phase of this new campaign, a call for ideas has just been launched on the ESA’s Open Space Innovation Platform (OSIP) and will be open until 20 December.
The call for ideas
The goal of this call is to:
- Identify key technology providers from specific technology fields crucial to the future of European Space Transportation.
- Identify space transportation service providers who are interested in disruptive technologies within these fields, understanding their needs and preferences.
- Identify potential investors who are interested in discovering key technology providers for future ESA STS.
The technology fields selected for this new campaign are:
- Descent systems and technologies, including thermal management systems and protections
- Landing and recovery systems and technologies
- Reversible-reconnectable interface systems and technologies
- Technologies for refurbishment and operations
- Other Reusability Technology Disruptors for Space Transportation
If you are a technology provider with disruptive ideas in these technology fields, a space transportation service provider in these areas, or an investor looking for promising technology providers for future ESA STS, we encourage you to explore this opportunity.
The upcoming phase of the FIRST! campaign includes a pitch day to showcase the outcomes of this OSIP call, followed by an ESA Invitation to Tender dealing with the maturation activities for Technology Disruptors.
Looking forward to hearing from you, and welcome to FIRST!
Apply now on OSIP