The European Space Agency (ESA) is addressing the growing challenge of processing the vast amounts of data generated by Earth Observation satellites. Traditional computing architectures are no longer sufficient to deliver timely and efficient information. To maintain Europe’s leadership in sustainability and remote sensing, ESA is seeking innovative mission concepts that leverage disruptive computing paradigms—such as artificial intelligence, quantum, photonic and neuromorphic computing—potentially combined with advanced sensing technologies.

Through its Technology Vision 2040 and Strategy 2040, ESA aims to enable rapid, actionable responses to environmental changes and natural disasters. The new SysNova challenge invites proposals for high-risk, high-benefit mission concepts that could deliver new capabilities or significantly improve current mission constraints. ESA is particularly interested in system studies and mission architectures that can be realised within the next three years, with a focus on Earth Observation but also considering secure satellite communications and other mission-critical operations.

Selected proposals will receive funding of €100,000 for a six-month study, with the most promising concept advancing to a session at the Concurrent Design Facility for further development. The initiative is open to teams from academia and industry, and proposals must be submitted via the Open Space Innovation Platform (OSIP) by 14 September 2025.

This challenge is part of ESA’s broader Preparation activities, aiming to foster collaboration between academia and industry, and to translate disruptive research into operational missions that enhance Europe’s competitiveness in the global space sector.