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New Opportunities for Business in Space

Posted on: Wednesday, 2 April 2003, 06:00 CST

ESA PR 22-2003 -- At the Hannover Fair 2003, ESA will present the wide range of opportunities for commercial utilisation and technology transfer created by Europe’s involvement in space.

Exhibits will display the many technologies that are now available for commercial use on Earth and present the new opportunities for business on board the International Space Station.

Technology Transfer

The ESA/MST Technology Transfer Programme stand (Hall 18, Stand A11, Ground Floor) will present a series of technologies developed for space which are now ready for use on Earth. Over the past 35 years, the European space industry has gained considerable expertise in overcoming a hostile environment, which has led to the development of many valuable new technologies.

Groundbreaking European space technologies are becoming increasingly available for development and licensing to the non-space industry through the process of technology transfer. Examples of such transfer technologies on display include a ceramic sensor controlling the emission of oxidable gases from home heaters, a piezoelectric film sensor that can accurately detect impacts in cars, cheaper and smarter mechanisms for gear boxes, a mobile satellite navigation and communication safety emergency system, virtual reality ‘glasses’ for mobile computing systems and 3D-presentations.

“Since 1991, more than 160 transfers have generated EUR 25 million in turnover for European space companies and EUR 270 million for the non-space industries involved,” says Pierre Brisson, head of ESA’s Technology Transfer Programme. This programme has already created or saved 2500 jobs and led to the establishment of 30 new companies.

“Our experience shows that the use of innovative technologies produced for European space programmes can improve our day-to-day life on Earth – often the only limits on their exploitation are those of our imagination,” Brisson points out.

ESA is strengthening European industry by developing a scheme to boost entrepreneurship through a network of pan-European business incubation centres (ESINET). The aim is to encourage and accelerate the creation of start-up companies through the transfer of space technologies to other sectors and create new businesses. More information on ESINET can be obtained at the ESA/MST Technology Transfer Stand A11 in Hall 18.

Business and benefit from space

ESA’s Business and Benefit from Space exhibit (Hall 18, Stand E18, Ground Floor) will showcase the many commercial opportunities that the International Space Station provides to European industrial and investment communities.

The overall motivation for commercialisation of the International Space Station (ISS) is to foster the economic development and exploitation of space, by stimulating research in space and supporting innovative uses of the ISS. The research facilities aboard the Station, together with regular access and the possibility for continual use, offer an unprecedented opportunity for industry to conduct its own research and development in weightlessness, and the image of the Station presents new avenues for marketing.

The possibility of commercial access to the International Space Station for the purposes of private research, sponsorship and education has been built up between public and private Space Station partners over recent years. The outcome of commercial initiatives resulting from this partnership will be presented at the Fair and visitors can find out how they can share in the exciting commercial possibilities that the Space Station offers. A number of invited speakers will give talks on the opportunities currently available for doing business in space.

“The International Space Station has brought important technological advances and offers exciting commercial opportunities for Europe,” says Jörg Feustel-Büechl, ESA’s Director of Human Spaceflight, “in doing so, it is bringing about economic development for the benefit of life here on Earth”.

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