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New Space Applications Supported By Open Data And Crowdsourcing

The European Space Agency, under its ARTES 20 Integrated Applications Promotions Programme, is challenging innovators to propose new customer-facing applications that combine two or more space assets to provide commercially sustainable services supported by Open Data and Crowdsourcing.

The challenge

These space assets can be Earth Observation, Satellite Navigation, Satellite Communications, and Human Space flight technologies. This challenge will award several contracts in the form of feasibility studies, allowing innovators to collaborate with user communities and stakeholders in the definition of sustainable services, while developing a comprehensive business case. Any contracts awarded shall be fully funded and last up to 6 months. This challenge is open to any company that complies with the rules of the ESA ARTES 20 Programme [1]. SME’s, start-ups and companies that have never worked with ESA before are especially invited to respond.

The challenge is foreseen to be launched at the end of August 2014 and it will remain open for about 4 months in order to allow for innovators to connect to users and stakeholders, as well as attract newcomers to space industry.

Facilitate interactions

This challenge also welcomes the support of Open Data providers, user communities and organisations aimed at promoting Open Data and Crowdsourcing. These entities may contribute to this challenge by: promoting their open datasets and platforms; fostering Open Data format standards, API’s and data exchange protocols; providing access to user communities, in order collaborate in the user requirements definition and connect innovators to early adopters; plus providing visibility of the challenge to its participants.

What happens at the end of the contract? If challenge winners define a compelling business case, ESA can provide further support specifically tailored to each case. Options could include an ESA co-funded demonstration project; access to one of the ESA Business Incubator Centres (BIC) across Europe; business development support by connecting with private investment funding or further partnership opportunities.

For Innovators

Do you have a new idea for a commercial service requiring Open Data where combination with space assets could provide unique added value? Can you create new services that tap into the power of the crowd?

Participate in this challenge and work with ESA to bring your ideas to the market.

For updates on this challenge follow us at @OpenDataARTES20

For the fully detailed Proposal Guide on competitive ITTs click Open Competition

For Open Data Providers

Are you already providing Open Data and do you want to promote it through this challenge?

ESA can provide visibility through this challenge but also through our network of ARTES Applications Ambassador Platforms across Europe.

Very soon, we are going to launch a new resources section in our Community Portal. Please contact your local Ambassador Platform in order to promote your resources in our portal.

For User Communities

Are you already using space-related Open Data but the existing services do not fit your requirements?

This challenge is designed to bring innovators and user communities together, as well as promote Open Data formats, data exchange protocols, API’s and open source platforms for Open Data.

Vision

We expect this challenge to be able to bring together the dynamic Open Data community with the Space industry and define new services and opportunities.

Another expected outcome is to increase the awareness of Open Data and Crowdsourcing, as well as the role of space assets as a source of data and an enabling technology. This awareness should also cover the untapped economic potential and the ability to generate new services for Open Data and Crowdsourcing, and attract more innovators to exploit this potential.

Finally, this challenge and the follow-up activities are expected to contribute to spread the Open Data culture, and encourage public and private stakeholders and organisations to implement Open Data policies.

For more information

This webpage will regularly updated with new information. Furthermore, it will be very soon possible to register for news and updates for this upcoming ITT.

If you want to receive regular updates regarding this ITT and interact with other users, please register here:

Open Data And Crowdsourcing ITT – Expression of Inter

Tender information