ORBIT Portal – Open R&D for Boosting Industrial compeTitiveness portal

This channel serves as the single-entry point for all industry and academia led R&D activities across ESA programmes, encompassing every space application domain.

By implementing a unified template for these activities, ESA addresses concerns raised by diverse economic operators, streamlining processes and eliminating unnecessary differences previously present among various ESA programmes. Until the end of 2025, each programme maintained its own distinct templates, channels, and entry points developed organically over time.

The introduction of a unified template brings clear benefits to participants at various stages:

• A single, streamlined platform for submitting R&D development ideas related to all industry- or academia-led research and development activities.
• A consistent submission template for all R&D development ideas.
• Guidance and support from ESA to help ensure your R&D development idea is aligned with the most suitable programmatic framework.

What remains unchanged:

• Ongoing access to expert support as before.
• The need for support from your national delegation continues to apply.

Process Overview

• Submit your R&D development idea (referred to as an "idea" in OSIP) through the designated idea submission form. For all  GSTP proposals, proof of preliminary support from your National Delegation is required at idea submission stage.
• A coach may contact you to assist in refining your R&D development idea.
• Following successful internal evaluation by ESA, your R&D development idea will be reviewed with your respective national delegation.
• Upon approval, your coach may request additional details via specific templates, maturing the idea
• Provided both ESA and the Delegation deliver positive assessments, ESA will invite the Tenderer to submit a Full Proposal using the esa-star system.

All submitted ideas receive restricted visibility within ESA, limited to the Programme Responsible, Campaign Manager, Evaluators, and selected Experts. These are designated as "confidential" in OSIP; however, confidentiality is defined strictly by OSIP’s terms and conditions and does not equate to ESA classified information. In particular, Activity Title, Prime name and Abstract are not considered Confidential, thus make sure to not disclose confidential information.

Programmatic Information

GSTP overview – The General Support Technology Programme (GSTP) is an optional programme designed to advance promising technologies through progressive stages of engineering, culminating in robust, flight-ready hardware for future missions, embracing both ESA-driven and industry-driven technology developments.

GSTP’s industry-driven part is structured around three distinct calls for proposals: 

1. Opportunities for Market-Oriented Activities
2. De-risk
3. Building Block.

Collectively, these pillars offer a holistic framework that fuels innovation, boosts competitiveness, and fortifies strategic capabilities across ESA Participating States.

By integrating market-driven development, risk mitigation, and essential skill-building, GSTP empowers the European space sector to thrive and excel on the global stage. The combined strength of these three pillars ensures seamless support for research and development throughout the entire journey—from initial proof of concept, through the notorious ‘valley of death’ in technology maturation, to final market or institutional deployment.

For further details, please visit the ESA - Shaping the Future page.

1. GSTP Element 2 (Opportunities for Market-Oriented Activities) – This option supports the development of technologies and products with clear market potential, strengthening the competitiveness and sustainability of European space industry. Companies are invited to submit proposals addressing:

• • Market oriented opportunities: Development of new or improved products for well-defined markets, supported by mature business plans and clear identification of potential customers.
  • Strategic opportunities: Activities that are commercially strategic, enhancing market diversity, addressing supply chain issues, or enabling entry into new applications and markets.
  • Implementation of National Priorities: Projects aligned with specific priorities of GSTP Element 2 “Make” Member States, requiring endorsement from national delegations.

Funding is co-shared between ESA and industry, with universities and research institutes acting as supporting partners. Eligibility, submission requirements, and evaluation criteria are clearly defined to ensure transparency and alignment with ESA’s objectives.

More detailed information can be found at Open Space Innovation Platform - OSIP - Channel: ‪Market Oriented Activities - GSTP Element 2 "MAKE"

2. GSTP Building Block –  The Building Block option focuses on enabling capabilities and developing foundational building blocks for space-related systems and sub-systems. Activities can range from proof-of-concept to engineering qualification models and are intended to strengthen industry’s ability to contribute to new opportunities at national or international levels.

 Evaluation focuses on technical objectives, management approach, user applications, and cost adequacy, ensuring activities are well-defined and impactful.

Key features include:

• • Support for collaborative development among academia and industry within or across ESA Participating States.
  • Targeted domains such as Earth observation, science, exploration, human spaceflight, transportation, navigation, and generic technologies.
  • Maximum ESA contribution of €1,000,000 per activity, with a duration of up to 24 months.

More detailed information can be found at Open Space Innovation Platform - OSIP - Channel: ‪GSTP Element 1 - Building Blocks Framework‬

3. GSTP De-Risk –  The De-risk option is designed to prepare and de-risk new technology development activities, reducing associated risks and helping orient follow-on developments.

This framework includes:

• • De-risk Technology: Short-term activities (up to 9 months, €250,000 max) focusing on specification analysis, technical assessment, and development planning for space applications.
  • De-risk Portfolio: Medium-term collaborations (up to 4 months, €50,000 max) aimed at strengthening established companies’ product portfolios and market positioning.

These activities involve technical analysis, prototype development, process optimisation, and integration tasks, with ESA providing structured support throughout the process.

More detailed information can be found at Open Space Innovation Platform - OSIP - Channel: ‪GSTP Element 1 - De-Risk, Advanced Manufacturing & Quantum Technology Frameworks

ARTES overview –  ESA’s main programme for technology development in satellite communications, turning investment in space into products and services. ARTES enables industry to explore innovative concepts that stimulate the wider economy through cutting-edge R&D. What ARTES does:

• Production support to develop competitive products and services
• Funding support, regardless of operation maturity, technological development, qualification and demonstration. Supports projects in: safety and security; optical and quantum communications; and 5G/6G
• Market analysis, feasibility studies, and satellite communication standards.
• Project guidance to suitable programmatic tools

More detailed information can be found on the Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) page.

1. ARTES Industrial Competitiveness – Accelerates time-to-market and reduces costs for the development of technologies and sustainable systems that will boost European competitiveness in the satellite communications market.

• • Applicant profile: 3-9 Technological Readiness Level
  • Requirements: Concepts for SMEs and consortia that can be guided throughout technology development process; Concepts that can be developed with public and private operators; activities with highly competitive potential
  • Focus areas: On-board processing; High Aspect Ratio Satellite (HARS) solutions; User Terminals; Ground segment digitalisation; Intelligent systems; In-orbit experimentation and demonstration; Spectrum; Multi-orbit connectivity; Ambitious projects;

More detailed information can be found on the ARTES page for the Industrial Competitiveness.

2. ARTES Space for 5G/6G & Sustainable Connectivity – Integrates satellite technologies into communications networks to accelerate the rollout, reach and impact of 5G – and eventually 6G. Sets the standards and frameworks for hybrid and downstream interoperability, as well as the base for integrating terrestrial networks with satellites.

• • Applicant profile: 3-9 Technological Readiness Level
  • Requirements: services and applications supporting 5G and 6G economies; projects extending service coverage to unserved areas; activities and partnerships to develop multi-orbit hybrid 5G and 6G networks; activities contributing to the integration of terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks and direct-to-device connectivity
  • Focus areas: Autonomous vehicles; Agro-industry; Utilities; Telemedicine; Extraction industries; Transport & logistics; Media & Entertainment; Public safety

More detailed information can be found on the ARTES page for Space for 5G/6G & Sustainable Connectivity .

3. ARTES Space Systems for Safety & Security – Fosters the development of innovative secure satellite communication systems, later deployed as stand-alone solutions or complementing terrestrial networks where required. These systems will serve sensitive governmental needs and enhance the safety, resilience and security of the critical infrastructures and applications they support.

• • Applicant Profile: 3-8 Technological Readiness Level
  • Requirements: systems studies, technologies and solutions supporting safety, security, resilience and sovereignty; products and technologies ensuring resilient and secure satcoms; In-orbit technology testing; end-to-end pre-operational service verification/demonstration of systems and communications services aimed at enhancing society’s safety, security, resilience and/or sovereignty
  • Focus areas: support institutions in defining their need for sovereign satellite infrastructure and services; support industry in developing secure satcom technology and services; transform space capabilities into real-world applications and solutions across civil and governmental sectors

More detailed information can be found on the ARTES page for Space Systems for Safety and Security.

4. ARTES Optical & Quantum Communications - ScyLight – supports technology developments in satellite communications and optical communications, photonics and quantum communication. ScyLight supports industry to develop its manufacturing capabilities and prepares stakeholders to seize related market opportunities.

• • Applicant profile: 3-8 Technological Readiness Level
  • Requirements: highly disruptive innovations in optical and quantum technologies; support to develop knowledge base of the industry; end-to-end demonstrations for competitive capabilities in high-throughput optical networks and quantum key distribution deployments; business models embracing the new paradigm of optical and quantum communications
  • Focus areas: development, demonstration and utilisation of optical and quantum satcoms; develop industrial manufacturing capabilities; perform system studies; market analysis and technology development; support industry-initiated plans

More detailed information can be found on the ARTES page for Optical & Quantum Communications - ScyLight.

InCubed overview –   If you are a startup, SME or large company developing an innovative Earth Observation (EO) solution InCubed helps you bring it to market.

InCubed supports companies in transforming promising ideas into commercially viable products and services, through ESA co-funding and technical expertise.

What you can develop:

InCubed is industry-driven and flexible: you can propose activities across the full EO value chain, or build a complete end-to-end system.

1. Space → satellites, platform, subsystems, payloads
2. Ground → mission management, ground stations, data distribution
3. Data → processing, analytics, applications
4. End-to-end → integrated systems combining all elements

Who can apply: Industry-led teams (startups, SMEs, large companies), Universities, public sector entities and research institutes as partners. 

Two development pathways: 

1. De-risking: Early-stage ideas → validate technology, market, and business case
2. Product Development: Mature solutions → deliver a market-ready product

Funding Model: ESA provides co-funding to support the proposed development:

• Up to 80% for SMEs
• Up to 75% for non-SMEs (depending on risk assessment)
• Up to 100% (capped) for universities and research institutes acting in a non-commercial role

Funding levels depend on: Technology maturity (TRL) and market risks.

How it works: What you submit here will be treated as a draft Outline Proposal. You will be invited to pitch your idea to ESA, enabling direct feedback and discussion. Following ESA and National Delegation feedback, you will have three possible paths:

1. Proceed to Full Proposal
2. Refine and resubmit the Outline Proposal
3. Not proceed further

For full details on the process, please refer to the official guidance on the InCubed website.