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Did you know that the GNSS and Earth Observation downstream market generated over EUR 200 billion in revenue in 2021? What’s more, this market is expected to hit the half trillion mark over the next decade.

Not only are these some big numbers – they also represent a BIG opportunity for European start-ups, scale-ups, SMEs, entrepreneurs, innovators and investors.  

Helping leverage this opportunity is EUSPA.

In addition to our responsibility for the operational management of the EU Space Programme and for ensuring the continuous provision of its services, EUSPA is also charged with supporting the development of innovative European products and applications and a competitive space industry based on Galileo, EGNOS and Copernicus services. 

“EUSPA is the go-to hub for businesses seeking information, expertise, and support in integrating EU space technology into their business solutions,” says EUSPA Executive Director Rodrigo da Costa. 

To deliver on this mission, EUSPA offers such funding opportunities as the flagship Horizon Europe and Fundamental Elements mechanisms. Then there’s the EUSPA Space Academy, an online training platform open to those looking to learn the ins and outs of building a space application business. EUSPA also supports a wide range of contests and awards, including the #myEUSpce competition and the popular CASSINI Hackathon.

Space for International Development and Humanitarian Aid 

The 6th edition of the CASSINI Hackathon is focused on using EU Space to address the global challenges of international development and humanitarian aid. Galileo and Copernicus offer powerful solutions to ensure access to fundamental necessities such as clean water and a secure food supply, while also providing effective assistance during times of crisis.

Read more: Sustainably supporting 8 billion people with EU Space

Now open for registration, the CASSINI Hackathon challenges you to develop innovative concepts and products using European space data and services from Copernicus, Galileo and EGNOS. These novel solutions should support sustainable infrastructure development, strengthen food security and access to clean water, or aid in the forecasting and understanding of forced migration. 

The hackathon will take place simultaneously across 11 different locations from 3-5 November 2023, during which participants will gain access to European space data, information and signals, plus other valuable tools. The top ideas will be awarded at both the local and EU levels, with the overall winners earning a six-month mentoring programme that includes 100 hours of customised mentoring. 

From market intelligence to business success 

In addition to the CASSINI Hackathon, EUSPA also supports space entrepreneurs by providing the in-depth market intelligence they need to thrive. “We are well-known across the industry as a leading source of critical market intelligence, one that is regularly relied upon by policymakers, entrepreneurs and major corporations,” notes Fiammetta Diani, EUSPA Head of Market, Downstream and Innovation.

For example, EUSPA’s EO and GNSS Market Report analyses the latest global trends and developments, while the GNSS User Technology Report covers the development, purchasing and use of GNSS user technology. Other key publications include EU Space for Green Transformation and the GNSS Investment Report.

But EUSPA’s support doesn’t stop with market intelligence, we also help you translate that intelligence into business success. Through mentoring and business matchmaking, we are well-positioned to support start-ups throughout the entire product development process – from finetuning an idea to prototyping and testing it and even getting it ready for commercialisation. 

“Whether it's through financial support, mentorship, or providing valuable market insights, EUSPA remains steadfast in its commitment to nurturing innovative entrepreneurs, start-ups, and SMEs harnessing EU Space capabilities to drive Europe's technological advancement and green transformation,” concludes da Costa. 

You can learn about the many great ways EUSPA supports entrepreneurs here. Or contact our market development team at market@euspa.europa.eu.  

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the EUSPA website (http://www.euspa.europa.eu).

While Galileo enables the determination of a precise position anywhere, Copernicus, Europe’s Earth Observation programme, provides information on the Earth’s surface, atmosphere and oceans. Put the two together and what you get is an array of synergies that not only have significant commercial potential, but also the potential to have a powerful impact on society. 

Take RigiTech, for example. The Swiss aerial logistics company is leveraging both Galileo and Copernicus to create fully-integrated drone delivery solutions – including those capable of quickly delivering critical medical supplies when and where they matter most.   

With Galileo and Copernicus, RigiTech delivers 

A semi-finalist in the EUSPA MyGalileoDrone competition, RigiTech’s autonomous drone network utilises the positioning provided by Galileo to deliver lab tests and life-saving medicines between clinics and laboratories without the need for on-the-ground operators. 

Having successfully integrated the Copernicus Global Human Settlement Layer (GHSL) into their drone logistics software, the company’s drones are now also using Copernicus data to inform flight mission planning and management and to mitigate the ground-based risks posed by some drone operations. "The addition of Copernicus data significantly improves the efficiency of flight mission preparation, both in terms of finding the optimal flight trajectory with respect to locations with minimal population and for evaluating risks and safety measures over the terrain,” says RigiTech Head of Operations Alejandro Del Estal.

RigiTech is also a long-time user of the Copernicus Digital Elevation Model (DEM), which it uses both during route planning and to visualise the elevation profile of the planned flight. 

Using Copernicus data to plan safe and efficient drone operations 

GNSS and Earth Observation are powerful tools in their own right. But, as RigiTech has clearly demonstrated, drone operations stand to benefit the most when these solutions are used in synergy. That’s why, in addition to actively promoting the use of Galileo within drone operations, EUSPA also supports the uptake of Copernicus data for planning efficient – and safe – flight missions.  

Copernicus data is particularly beneficial for developing the population density maps used to evaluate ground risk – a critical component of a Specific Operation Risk Assessment (SORA). SORA is a methodology for classifying the risks posed by a drone flight in the specific category of operations and for identifying mitigations and safety objectives. 

This same Earth Observation data can also be used by National Aviation Authorities (NAAs) when reviewing and approving permits to, for example, fly beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS). In the future, Copernicus data will play a key role in Advanced Air Mobility, including for the planning and deployment of vertiports and other infrastructure.    

“Maps that integrate Earth Observation data provide operators and regulators with insights on population density, allowing them to plan routes that avoid crowded areas,” explains EUSPA Executive Director Rodrigo da Costa. “Furthermore, regulators can use Copernicus data to help harmonise the way these ground risks are assessed, and developers can use this same data to strategically plan the building of such infrastructure as cargo drops, vertiports and charging stations.”

In addition to supporting the European Commission’s Drone Strategy 2.0, EUSPA discussed the use cases for Copernicus data in drone operations during the Joint Authorities for Rulemaking on Unmanned Systems (JARUS) 2023 plenary meeting in Rome. In October of this year, it will participate in an EASA workshop on population density services for drone operations.  

To learn more about EU Space for drone operations, please download our free brochure. 

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the EUSPA website (http://www.euspa.europa.eu).

While Galileo enables the determination of a precise position anywhere, Copernicus, Europe’s Earth Observation programme, provides information on the Earth’s surface, atmosphere and oceans. Put the two together and what you get is an array of synergies that not only have significant commercial potential, but also the potential to have a powerful impact on society. 

Take RigiTech, for example. The Swiss aerial logistics company is leveraging both Galileo and Copernicus to create fully-integrated drone delivery solutions – including those capable of quickly delivering critical medical supplies when and where they matter most.   

With Galileo and Copernicus, RigiTech delivers 

A semi-finalist in the EUSPA MyGalileoDrone competition, RigiTech’s autonomous drone network utilises the positioning provided by Galileo to deliver lab tests and life-saving medicines between clinics and laboratories without the need for on-the-ground operators. 

Having successfully integrated the Copernicus Global Human Settlement Layer (GHSL) into their drone logistics software, the company’s drones are now also using Copernicus data to inform flight mission planning and management and to mitigate the ground-based risks posed by some drone operations. "The addition of Copernicus data significantly improves the efficiency of flight mission preparation, both in terms of finding the optimal flight trajectory with respect to locations with minimal population and for evaluating risks and safety measures over the terrain,” says RigiTech Head of Operations Alejandro Del Estal.

RigiTech is also a long-time user of the Copernicus Digital Elevation Model (DEM), which it uses both during route planning and to visualise the elevation profile of the planned flight. 

Using Copernicus data to plan safe and efficient drone operations 

GNSS and Earth Observation are powerful tools in their own right. But, as RigiTech has clearly demonstrated, drone operations stand to benefit the most when these solutions are used in synergy. That’s why, in addition to actively promoting the use of Galileo within drone operations, EUSPA also supports the uptake of Copernicus data for planning efficient – and safe – flight missions.  

Copernicus data is particularly beneficial for developing the population density maps used to evaluate ground risk – a critical component of a Specific Operation Risk Assessment (SORA). SORA is a methodology for classifying the risks posed by a drone flight in the specific category of operations and for identifying mitigations and safety objectives. 

This same Earth Observation data can also be used by National Aviation Authorities (NAAs) when reviewing and approving permits to, for example, fly beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS). In the future, Copernicus data will play a key role in Advanced Air Mobility, including for the planning and deployment of vertiports and other infrastructure.    

“Maps that integrate Earth Observation data provide operators and regulators with insights on population density, allowing them to plan routes that avoid crowded areas,” explains EUSPA Executive Director Rodrigo da Costa. “Furthermore, regulators can use Copernicus data to help harmonise the way these ground risks are assessed, and developers can use this same data to strategically plan the building of such infrastructure as cargo drops, vertiports and charging stations.”

In addition to supporting the European Commission’s Drone Strategy 2.0, EUSPA discussed the use cases for Copernicus data in drone operations during the Joint Authorities for Rulemaking on Unmanned Systems (JARUS) 2023 plenary meeting in Rome. In October of this year, it will participate in an EASA workshop on population density services for drone operations.  

To learn more about EU Space for drone operations, please download our free brochure. 

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the EUSPA website (http://www.euspa.europa.eu).