ESA’s FIRST!(Future Innovation and Research in Space Transportation!) initiative launched it s seventh Invitation to Tender (ITT) last week, this time on the topic of Structures, Materials, Mechanisms and Processes for Space Transportation. FIRST! focuses on maturing disruptive technologies with a commercial benefit for Europe and is part of FLPP, ESA’s future space transportation programme. This is the first campaign since CM25, the Council at Ministerial level, which took place in November last year, and includes additional possibilities to mature disruptive technologies up to TRL6 with increased ESA budget.
Building on the success of the initial Call for Ideas on Structures, Materials, Mechanisms and Processes which launched in January 26 and generated 117 eligible ideas from 14 Member States, the new ITT follows this month’s successful Pitch Day which saw almost 180 participants from 14 countries across Europe join online for a packed day of presentations and information sharing. In response to the large number of ideas submitted, the ITT is inviting proposals in the following five technical domains:
During the Pitch Day, companies from across Europe presented their ideas within each of these five domains, with a total of 29 pitches taking place across the day and lively Q&A sessions for each topic.
- Disruptive CFRP technologies in cryogenic environment for space transportation: (the compatibility of composite materials with cryogenic substances (propellants in particular) is a major issue, and being able to easily store cryo fluids in composite structures is enabling for future space transportation application like space depot)
- Electromechanical structures for space transportation: (technologies that allow quick and efficient health check for reusable structures or in-orbit structure)
- Mechanisms for space transportation: (deployment, releasing, locking or grabbing mechanisms are key for new space transportation systems like reusable structures or OTVs)
- Optimised materials for composite and / or metallic structures for space transportation:(technologies that bring significant performance improvements in terms of mass, robustness or sustainability)
- Optimised processes for composite and / or metallic structures for space transportation: (technologies that bring significant improvement in terms of recurring costs or sustainability)
FLPP has long recognised the value of, and necessity for, a collaborative approach to developing new space technologies for future space transportation, and offer a range of events and opportunities throughout the year to bring developers, users, investors and ESA experts together at the earliest stages, ensuring that technologies mature with clear commercial applications and fit within the future European space transportation ecosystem. This month’s Pitch Day also offered a successful matchmaking option for companies, enabling them to connect and share ideas in numerous forthcoming B2B sessions and paving the way for collaborations and consortia.
The FIRST! Structures, Materials, Mechanisms and Processes ITT is now open in esa-star, available to entities in FLPP participating Member States depending on their level of subscription and until 27/05/2026 at 13:00 CEST (see details in the ITT). It targets short-term, quick maturation of disruptive technologies which bring significant improvement in terms of performance (mass), recurring or non-recurring costs, or sustainability with high and direct commercial interest, for the benefit of future
This ITT is the first since CM25 and encompasses new possibilities, including an increased budget for technologies up to TRL6. Further updates on the FLPP programme will be shared at the FLPP Autumn Session in Paris on 14 October 2026.