Latest news from ESA Space Solutions
ESA Business Applications and Space Solutions Newsletter
October 2026
Dear John,
Welcome to the October edition of ESA's Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) newsletter. Our new success stories show how the BASS team are helping innovative businesses develop their space-enabled products and services, offering solutions to challenges across multiple sectors.
You will also find details of forthcoming webinars and events as well as a wide range of thematic funding calls in the Funding Opportunities section below.
Our webinars are a great way to learn more about BASS funding opportunities and the support available, as well as about the context and requirements relating to the particular funding call at hand. Each webinar ends with a Q&A - an invaluable opportunity for you to ask questions before submitting your application.
The Arctic Region: Security and Critical Protection Webinar
4 November 2026 11:00 CET
Climate change, increasing maritime activity and the growing strategic importance of the Arctic are creating new security and resilience requirements. Critical infrastructure - including ports, energy assets, communication networks and transport corridors - is increasingly exposed to environmental hazards, operational disruptions and malicious activities. Arctic stakeholders require improved capabilities to monitor, protect and respond to emerging threats while maintaining safe and resilient operations across vast and remote territories.
Join us to learn more about the types of space-enabled applications that we are looking for, and for your opportunity to ask questions.
Space for Smart Tourism Webinar
25 November 2026 11:00 CET
Destinations, tourism operators and public authorities are looking for innovative digital solutions that support more efficient tourism management, improve visitor services and help balance economic growth with environmental and social sustainability. Challenges such as overtourism, seasonal demand fluctuations, congestion, accessibility, environmental impact and changing traveller expectations require new approaches supported by reliable data and real-time insights.
Join us to learn more about the types of space-enabled applications that we are looking for, and for your opportunity to ask questions.
URB!TALKS 2026: The Urban Future Starts in Orbit
4 November 2026, Barcelona, Spain
Whether you are a city leader, policymaker, urban planner, architect, innovator or an entrepreneur curious about the future of urban living and space-enabled solutions, join us for this Smart City Expo World Congress Barcelona 2026 side event. From smarter movement to greener planning and stronger resilience, discover how space-powered intelligence is helping cities think, connect and serve people better.
3 - 6 November, Rome, Italy
Our Maritime Lead Nil Angli will be speaking at this conference, which brings together stakeholders to consider the latest developments in marine electronics technology, regulations and standards.
25 - 26 November, Berlin, Germany
Our Mobility Lead Maria Zaretskaya will be speaking at the Future of Festivals event to discuss how space-based data can transform festival production and help create smoother-running and safer events.
Nick Joyce from National Highways and Maria Zaretskaya from ESA BASS
ESA signs MOI with National Highways to drive safety on UK roads
BASS and National Highways UK announced the signing of a Memorandum of Intent (MoI) on October 14, aimed at supporting the development of innovative and sustainable space-based applications to improve safety on the roads.
Space Technologies Relieve the Pressure for Patients and Care Providers
Regular monitoring and repositioning of patients with prolonged immobility is an ongoing necessity to prevent pressure ulcers (sores) forming. DecubiMat, developed and tested by German company BLACKPIN with support from ESA BASS, provides an automated pressure monitoring and documentation system underpinned by technology originally developed for use in space. Read more
Keeping the Lights on – Guarding the Grid from Space
Using the latest Satellite Earth Observation technology, Norwegian company StormGeo has developed GridEyes, with support from the European Space Agency’s Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS), to monitor vegetation near power lines remotely, helping reduce inspection costs and identifying high risk areas. Read more
Fighting and mitigating climate change and environmental crime with space data
European institutions, Member States, industry, cities, investors and innovators converged on the Belgian capital for Brussels Climate Week 2026, 12-15 October, to shape the future of Europe’s climate-industrial transition. ESA’s Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) team were there to share the many ways space can be part of the solution for the impacts of climate change. It was an opportunity for BASS Climate Resilience Lead Liz Barrow to take to the stage about the role of BASS and activities such as the Environmental Crime Funding Call.
Meeting the challenge of sustainable industry with space innovation – new opportunity for European business to work with leading corporate partners
The ESA Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) event took place at ESA ESTEC, in Noordwijk, the Netherlands, supported by corporate partners including Galp, The Coca-Cola Company, The Procter & Gamble Company, and Love Tomorrow/Tomorrowland. This marked the launch of a new Space for Sustainable Industry and Digital Business Transformation Contest funding call.
We have a broad range of funding calls currently open for applications, not only targeting a variety of focus topics but also aimed at businesses at different stages of maturity.
Space for Sustainable Industry and Digital Business Transformation Contest
Proof-of-Concept Studies
Closing 4 November 2026
The call focuses on specific operational and innovation needs identified by Coca-Cola, P&G, Galp and Tomorrowland/Love Tomorrow across water resilience, security and enterprise risk, renewable energy, sustainable manufacturing, consumer insight, temporary-city operations, mobility, logistics and immersive experiences.
Space-enabled solutions for Resilient Grids
Proof-of-Concept Studies and Pilot Projects
Opening 4 November 2026
As energy systems face growing operational, environmental and security challenges, ensuring the resilience of Europe's electricity grids is becoming increasingly important. This funding calls is in two parts, with the first theme Situational Awareness for Critical events opening first.
The Arctic Region: Safety, Navigation and Operations
Proof-of-Concept Studies and Pilot Projects
Closing 5 November 2026
This sub‑call targets safe maritime navigation and operations in the Arctic, where melting sea ice is not only increasing traffic but also exposing vessels to significant hazards. It addresses challenges related to ice monitoring, route optimisation, search and rescue, situational awareness, and the safe operation of maritime, air and land activities.
The Arctic Region: Security and Critical Protection
Proof-of-Concept Studies and Pilot Projects
Opening 6 November 2026
This sub-call focuses on security, resilience and critical infrastructure protection. Applications are invited for space-enabled solutions that enhance the monitoring, protection and resilience of critical assets, and support authorities and operators in maintaining security and operational continuity across the Arctic region.
Smart and Resilient Energy Systems
Proof-of-Concept Studies and Pilot Projects
Closing 27 November 2026
This call aims to develop operational solutions using space-enabled technologies to improve the anticipatory, operational, and strategic resilience of electricity grids. Solutions should have a strong focus on critical infrastructure protection, climate resilience, and emergency preparedness.
Road and Traffic Safety
Proof-of-Concept Studies and Pilot Projects
Closing 27 November 2026
Rapid urbanisation and the growing number of vehicles amplify the need for improved traffic management, incident detection, and predictive safety solutions to reduce accidents on the roads. Also, there is a change in the types of vehicles we see on roads, with increasing micromobility and more automated vehicles reshaping existing mobility patterns.
Space for Smart Tourism
Kick-start
Opening 30 November 2026
Destinations, tourism operators and public authorities are looking for innovative digital solutions that support more efficient tourism management, improve visitor services and help balance economic growth with environmental and social sustainability.
Wildfire Preparedness
Proof-of-Concept Studies and Pilot Projects
Closing 1 December 2026
This is part of the Wildfire Safety initiative, inviting proposals for innovative services that advance wildfire management using space technology and data.
The Wildfire Preparedness call will address wildfire risk assessment, fuel load management, and the application of preventative and adaptation measures.
Environmental Crimes
Proof-of-Concept Studies and Pilot Projects
Closing 25 June 2027
This funding call will have a broad scope covering six core areas: integrity and corporate fraud, poaching and wildlife, illegal fishing and marine activities, illegal mining and quarrying, and waste and pollution.
Open Calls for Proposals
The following funding calls are always open and take space-enabled applications relating to any industry, market or topic. They are designed to meet businesses at different stages of their maturity and market readiness.
Kick-starts
The aim of a Kick-start is to determine whether a service is technically feasible and commercially viable, and whether there is demand for it. While this call is always open, applications are evaluated in batches through the course of the year.
Proof-of-Concept Studies and Pilot Projects
POC studies aim to reduce risks and validate the market opportunity by designing the service concept, engaging users, and developing a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), while Pilot Projects focus on integrating, developing and testing the service or application with customers in the primary target market.
Growth Projects
BASS Growth Projects are designed to help space-enabled solutions that have already achieved demonstrable commercial success in a primary market to unlock secondary market opportunities.
ESA BASS also publishes sector-specific bulletins. Choose from five different topic-focused bulletins or view our YouTube channel below.
ESA, 8-10 rue Mario-Nikis, CS 45741, 75738 Paris Cedex 15, France
You received this email because you registered with ESA.
If you want to update your personal data, click here.
ESA applies appropriate organisational measures to protect personal data. In case of data privacy queries,
please contact the ESA Data Protection Officer ([email protected]).