COSMOS (Cooperation of Space NCPs as a Means to Optimise Services)

Copernicus Masters - the European Earth Monitoring Competition

2013-04-03T22:00:00+01:00

In its third year, the Copernicus Masters competition – previously known as the GMES Masters – opens once again. Submissions are now being accepted for the first challenge that asks participants to demonstrate how satellites show humans’ impact on our planet.

The Copernicus Masters rewards the best ideas for services, business cases and applications based on satellite Earth observation data. This year's competition's prize pool - and participant access to satellite data in particular - considerably expanded to a total value of EUR 335,000.With the prizes, the competition aims to foster product development and entrepreneurship in Europe.

In the 2013 Copernicus Masters competition, participants can choose from nine challenges.
Submissions for the GEO Illustration Challenge are being accepted from now to the end of June. Submissions to the other eight challenge categories begin in May and June.

Further Information

ESA: Planck reveals an almost perfect Universe

2013-04-03T22:00:00+01:00

Acquired by ESA’s Planck space telescope, the most detailed map ever created of the cosmic microwave background – the relic radiation from the Big Bang – was released today revealing the existence of features that challenge the foundations of our current understanding of the Universe.

The image is based on the initial 15.5 months of data from Planck and is the mission’s first all-sky picture of the oldest light in our Universe, imprinted on the sky when it was just 380 000 years old.

Planck was designed to map these fluctuations across the whole sky with greater resolution and sensitivity than ever before. By analyzing the nature and distribution of the seeds in Planck’s CMB image, they can determine the composition and evolution of the Universe from its birth to the present day. Overall, the information extracted from Planck’s new map provides an excellent confirmation of the standard model of cosmology at an unprecedented accuracy, setting a new benchmark in our manifest of the contents of the Universe. But because precision of Planck’s map is so high, it also made it possible to reveal some peculiar unexplained features that may well require new physics to be understood.

Further Information

European Commission e-learning course on Innovation for SMEs

2013-04-03T22:00:00+01:00

The European Commission is preparing an innovation platform which will provide small and medium enterprises (SME) with a guided tour through the whole innovation cycle.

Innovation in products, services and processes is a mean to turn European SMEs into competitive companies, economically healthy and able to create new jobs. Enterprises that invest in innovation increase their competitiveness and that of the European Union as a whole.

The innovation platform will provide a guided tour through the whole innovation cycle thanks to:

Structured e-learning content presented with video, sound, engaging content;
Serious game / immersive simulation allowing “learning by doing” and providing incentives to learn more and understand what is required to build a successful project;
A collaborative platform for informal and peer-to-peer learning (user content creation capabilities, peer-to-peer exchanges, including forums, wiki, etc.).

The European Commission is looking for your opinion!
By participating in this survey you will contribute to the realisation of the platform and you can keep up-to-date about its development. You will reserve your free learning course / platform and be among the first companies invited to join it.

Link to the Survey

Request For Interest on IOT / IOD

2013-03-25T23:00:00+01:00

Request For Interest on Low-Cost In Orbit Testing (IOT)/ In-Orbit Demonstration (IOD)

1) Avio/ELV has been active in recent years, in trying to make available Low Cost In flight Testing/Demonstration opportunities in Europe. This is considered a tremendous business enabling factor, mainly for Small or Medium Industries, Scientific Organisations, Research Centres and Universities that are involved in the development of Equipment and Subsystems for flight use on Satellites, or on individual technologies relevant to the Space Environment.

2) Avio/ELV, with the cooperation of Mott MacDonald (UK), recently started a study contract for ESA named: “Business Case Analysis of a Multi-functional In Flight Experimental System” whose main objective is to properly assess the attractiveness of implementing such a capability within the ESA scenario.

3) A key component of the above mentioned study is the organisation of a workshop in ESTEC (planned on late June 2013) aimed to present the several IOT/IOD options for the Industrial and Research Communities, and to obtain their valuable feedback.

4) The workshop above will be based on the results of a preliminary consultation of potentially interested Organisations, carried out by using a questionnaire presently under preparation.

Potentially interested organisations in IOT/IOD which are willing to contribute to this process are requested to send a statement of interest to the following contact: mauro.balduccini@aviogroup.com

Avio will then follow up with interested organisations, firstly with the questionnaire and then with details of the workshop in due course.

Presentations of EC Workshops on Horizon 2020 are online

2013-03-18T23:00:00+01:00

In January and February 2013 the European Commission organized the workshop “Space Technology” in Brussels and the workshop “Space Science and Exploration” in Madrid.

Both events contributed to the preparation of the Space work programme in Horizon 2020. Now the presentations held during the workshops are available online on the EC website

>> EC Presentations

Space Advisory Group recommendations for Horizon 2020

2013-02-10T23:00:00+01:00

The FP7 Space Advisory Group has been requested to provide advice to the European Commission (EC) concerning the positioning and content of space-related research within the Horizon 2020 programme.

The advice given builds upon previous papers (October 2010 and June 2011), putting forward evidence and a series of recommendations aimed at securing acceptance of the argument that “space must be a major and well-funded theme of Horizon 2020”. Input from the “Space Hearing” organised by the European Commission, aimed at giving Europe’s space research community an opportunity to submit topics which could drive the preparation of the Horizon 2020 Space Theme, was also taken into account.

The new document is structured to address four specific objectives:
1. European competitiveness, non-dependence and innovation of the European space sector;
2. advances in space technologies;
3. exploitation of space data;
4. European research in support of international space partnerships.

In general, it is recommended that Horizon 2020 contains two main pillars: “Space for exploring the Solar System and the Universe” and “Space for Grand Challenges on Earth” complemented by two further elements: “enabling technologies” and “crosscutting activities”.

The EC is called on to establish with the European Space Agency (ESA) and other main European space actors a research agenda for Horizon 2020 Space, identifying objectives, means and priorities and clarifying responsibilities.

Further Information

Experts for Horizon 2020 Advisory Groups: Call for expressions of interest

2013-01-06T23:00:00+01:00

Be part of the discussion on Horizon 2020 (the European Union's future funding programme for research and innovation)! The Advisory Groups will provide high quality and timely advice on the preparation of the Horizon 2020 calls for project proposals.

The Advisory Groups of experts will start their work during spring 2013 and provide advice prior to the launch of the first Horizon 2020 calls, which are expected by the end of this year. Individuals and players wishing to be considered for the first Advisory Groups must register by 5 pm Brussels time on 6 March 2013. The call for expressions of interest will stay open for the lifetime of the Horizon 2020 programme. Experts can register at any time; but expressions of interest received after this date will be taken into account for the renewal of groups at the end of each mandate.

Further Information

Scientific cooperation agreement with South Africa's Space Agency

2012-12-16T23:00:00+01:00

The Joint Research Center (JRC) has signed a collaboration agreement with the South Africa's National Space Agency (SANSA) aiming to better exploit remote sensing technologies for monitoring atmospheric, terrestrial and marine environments.

This agreement follows the recent visit of Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, Commissioner for research, innovation and science to South Africa.

The scope of this agreement is to work together on a better understanding of dynamics and evolution of our natural environment through optimal exploitation of Earth observation data and to develop technologies and services which support not only national policies (e.g. agriculture monitoring) but also international issues and policies for disaster risk reduction, early warning and emergency management.

Further Information

Copernicus: new name for GMES, the European Earth Observation Programme

2012-12-10T23:00:00+01:00

Copernicus is the new name of the European Commission’s Earth Observation Programme, previously known as GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security). In a world facing an increased risk of natural and other disasters Copernicus aims to monitor the state of the environment on land, at sea and in the atmosphere and also to improve citizens' security.

At the same time, Copernicus is a driver for economic growth and employment, with the potential to create up to 85 000 new jobs over the period 2015-2030, according to a recent study (see IP/12/1304). “By choosing the name Copernicus we are paying homage to a great European scientist and observer: Nicolaus Copernicus. The Copernicus theory of the heliocentric universe is considered by many to be the main precursor of modern science. He opened to man an infinite universe, previously limited by the rotation of the planets and the sun around the Earth, and created a world without borders”, said European Commission Vice President Antonio Tajani, Commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship.

Further Information

Copernicus Website

Horizon 2020: Boosting growth - Commission announces EUR 80 billion for research and innovation

2012-12-05T23:00:00+01:00

On 30 November, Research, Innovation and Science Commissioner Máire Geoghegan-Quinn announced an EUR 80 billion package of proposed measures that aim to give European research, innovation and competitiveness a much-needed boost.

If accepted by the Council and the European Parliament, Horizon 2020 will be a key cornerstone of the EU's Innovation Union initiative, a Europe 2020 flagship policy that aims to secure Europe's science and technology base and industrial competitiveness.

Unlike previous research programmes, Horizon 2020 brings together all EU research and innovation funding under a single programme for the first time. And the focus is very much on turning scientific breakthroughs into innovative products and services that provide business opportunities and improve European citizens' lives.

Another key feature of Horizon 2020 is its streamlined approach. Great efforts have been made to cut red tape and simplify rules and procedures to make it easier for researchers and innovators to access the funding they need. One key goal is to reduce the time until funding is received following a grant application by 100 days on average, meaning projects can start more quickly.

Further Information

Horizon 2020: Boosting growth

2012-12-02T23:00:00+01:00

Commission announces EUR 80 billion for research and innovation

On 30 November, Research, Innovation and Science Commissioner Máire Geoghegan-Quinn announced a EUR 80 billion package of proposed measures that aim to give European research, innovation and competitiveness a much-needed boost.

Further Information

Survey of the European EO Services Industry Sector

2012-09-26T22:00:00+01:00

by European Association of Remote Sensing Companies

A detailed understanding of the Earth Observation services sector and significant trends is essential to help stakeholders to plan their activities and to assess the effectiveness of their actions. Hence, industry has a strong interest to ensure that accurate and up-to-date information is available which can be presented to the policy makers and support development of the sector.

In this respect, EARSC is conducting a survey of all companies that are involved in the EO services sector: from satellite operators, value-added providers through to downstream GIS companies; indeed any company making use of satellite data, however small, in its business.

In the coming weeks, EARSC secretariat will be contacting companies to gather information about business activities which will bring our understanding of the sector up-to- date. Companies will be invited to complete an on-line survey gathering information on, for example, where are companies located, what is their ownership structure, which are the key sectors they operate in and what are their annual revenues?

The EARSC is firstly trying to identify as many companies as possible in Europe which are involved in providing EO geo-information services. If your company makes use of satellite data in whatever way or form then we should like to hear from you so that you can be included in the survey. Please contact EARSC executive secretary Monica Miguel-Lago at secretariat@earsc.org

Poland accedes to ESA Convention

2012-09-13T22:00:00+01:00

Poland took a step further in its relations with ESA by exchanging Accession Agreements on the ESA Convention on 13 September 2012, to become the 20th ESA Member State.

The ceremony took place at the Copernicus Science Centre in Warsaw, with the participation of Jean-Jacques Dordain, ESA Director General, Waldemar Pawlak, Polish Minister of Economy, and Gra?yna Henclewska, Under Secretary of State in the Polish Ministry of Economy. Other government officials and dignitaries attended the ceremony, including representatives from the Polish Parliamentary Group in charge of space affairs.

Poland’s cooperation with ESA is long-standing. In 1994, Poland was one of the first Eastern European countries to sign a Cooperation Agreement in the field of the peaceful use of outer space with ESA. A second step, the signature of European Cooperating State Agreement in 2007, paved the way for the Polish participation in several ESA research projects.

Poland has a long aerospace tradition and has contributed to many scientific and technological projects. Poland has participated actively in several ESA science missions, such as Integral, Rosetta, BepiColombo and Solar Orbiter, and in Earth observation activities with Envisat and GMES.

It is also working on ESA microgravity and exploration programmes, on EGNOS for navigation and on the Space Situational Awareness Programme (focusing on space weather), as well as in technology activities and educational projects. PW-Sat – the first Polish student satellite, was launched by a Vega rocket in February 2012.

The Government of Poland plans to conclude the ratification process at the earliest and once the ratification instrument is deposited with the Government of France, Poland will become officially the 20th ESA Member State and will participate in the ESA Ministerial Council in November 2012 as a full Member State.

6th Space call under FP7 published

2012-07-09T22:00:00+01:00

On 10 July 2012 the 6^th and last Space call under FP7 with a total budget of 126 Mio. € was released
covering the following topics:

The only funding instrument will be collaborative projects. The call will be open until 21 November 2012, 17:00 h Brussels time.

Please find more details about the call and the new application tool at the participant portal.

Support on questions related to the call is provided by the National Contact Points for Space in your country or via the COSMOS+ help desk.

More information as well as some partner search requests can be found at the international information day website.

Official International FP7 Space Informationday - presentations are online

2012-06-26T22:00:00+01:00

On 20/21 June the international conference and matchmaking event for the last FP7 space call was organized by COSMOS and hosted by the University of Surrey, UK. The presentations are now ready for download.

The 6th Call for proposals under the Space element of the EU’s FP7 research programme is was published 10 July. It is the last Call in the programme, likely to involve over €120m of new funding.

The presentations including the matchmaking profiles of the participants can now be downloaded on the event website.

European Commission published draft Space work programme for the last FP7 call

2012-04-03T22:00:00+01:00

Despite former practice the European Commission this year published a draft version of the work programme for the last FP7 Space call already early in advance of the official release date.

This year the last Space call for proposals under FP7 will be published. In 2014 the runtime of Horizon2020 as the next framework research and innovation programme will start. The last call will provide over €120m for funding and comprise a broad spectrum of topics from GMES downstream services to critical technologies.

The COSMOS+ consortium will organise an international conference and matchmaking on this last Space call already from 20 to 21 June at Surrey University, UK. An official infoday is foreseen to be organized in September in France. More information will be provided in due time.

Draft Version of the FP7 Space Work Programme 2013

The 3rd issue of QB50 project's newsletter has been published

2012-03-30T22:00:00+01:00

EU funded QB50 project has the scientific objective to study in situ the temporal and spatial variations of a number of key constituents and parameters in the lower thermosphere (90-320 km) with a network of 50 double CubeSats, separated by a few hundred kilometres and carrying identical sensors. QB50 will also study the re-entry process by measuring a number of key parameters during re-entry and by comparing predicted and actual CubeSat trajectories and orbital lifetimes.

In the 3rd Issue of QB50 project's newsletter, you will find information on the following subjects:

-          Call for CubeSat Proposals for QB50*
-          Ground Station Network and Frequency Allocation Working Group
-          Sensor Selection Working Group
-          Orbital Dynamics Working Group
-          GAMANET and GAMALINK
-          QB50 Workshops
-          Environmental test facilities of interest to CubeSat teams
-          European CubeSat Symposia
-          CubeSat related conferences in 2012

*Kindly note that the deadline to submit proposals is postponed to 30 April 2012.

The Call for Proposals can be found at https://www.qb50.eu/call.php

Download the QB50 Newsletter Issue 3 - March 2012

Download the QB50 Newsletter Issue 2 - December 2011

Download the QB50 Newsletter Issue 1 - July 2011

Contact:

Isil Sakraker

Aeronautics & Aerospace Dept
von Karman Institute - www.vki.ac.be
Tel: +32 2 3599423 Fax: +32 2 3599600
https://www.QB50.eu/
http://www.twitter.com/fp7qb50

Pan-European competition �Odysseus�

2012-03-22T23:00:00+01:00

Odysseus contest is a pan-European competition aimed at pupils 14 to 18 years old from schools around the European Union. The contest invites young people to form a creative team and to develop an inspired project to win attractive space prizes!

The contest is designed to challenge talented young people on the themes of Solar System, Spaceship global cooperation and Co-evolution of life.

Members of a school team have the chance to develop a project on Space exploration and to demonstrate the knowledge learned in the classroom, combining creativity, intelligence and innovation.

Further Information

Call for papers: 50 uses of GMES across European regions

2012-03-21T23:00:00+01:00

ESA and NEREUS have released a call for papers for their joint publication entitled '50 uses of GMES across European regions'. The publication will document the accelerating growth in number and quality of GMES applications in the European regions.

The deadline for submission is 30 April 2012.

More info:

http://www.nereus-regions.eu/sites/all/projects/20120301_call_f_a.pdf

http://www.nereus-regions.eu/nereus-regions-eu-activities

http://www.esa.int/esaLP/LPgmes.html

SpaceEU: presentations online

2012-03-08T23:00:00+01:00

Space^EU a big success

Over 450 participants from 38 countries seized the opportunity to learn about the European Space landscape, to meet with and talk to others and to link with representatives from countries outside Europe at Space^EU in Brussels on 28/29 February.

The COSMOS project, a network of National Contact Points for Space from 30 countries, organised SpaceEU to bring together many of these key Space players. The big players - European Commission, ESA, country representatives and industry explained what they did and shared their ideas for further cooperation. In dedicated Matchmaking Sessions some 60 participants briefly presented their Space research profiles, and many successful projects and initiatives were showcased. At the same time around 340 pre-arranged bilateral meetings allowed the attendees to meet other participants to explore future cooperation.
Countries outside Europe, namely USA, Russia, Japan, China, Ukraine, Canada and South Africa were represented and described their own Space activities and opportunities for cooperation with European actors.
Space^EU was the first event of its kind. The high level of interest beforehand and positive feedback during and after the event demonstrated that there is a significant level of interest in professional events like this as an element in the European Space landscape.

Presentations are now online

Now you can share the output of two days of rich discussion by viewing all the presentations and posters at http://www.b2match.eu/spaceeu/pages/downloads.

Participant’s profiles still worthwhile looking at

Furthermore the profiles of all participants are available and can be searched under http://www.b2match.eu/spaceeu/search. Here you might find relevant competencies e. g. for the last Space call under FP7 which is due to be published on 12 July 2012.

Satcoms Conference, 20 March 2012 in Brussels

2012-03-08T23:00:00+01:00

The aim of the conference “Satellite Telecommunications – An Innovative Tool Serving Regional Development”, jointly organised with the EU Committee of the Regions in Brussels on 20 March 2012, is to better inform regional and local officials in these areas in a practical way as to the broad range of financial instruments created by the European Union in order to help them find the best solutions for the development of their telecommunications infrastructure.

A range of high-level speakers, including politicians and representatives from regional and local authorities, experienced decision-makers and officials responsible for regional policy and EU funding and professionals from the space industry, will be sharing their knowledge in order to build up a fruitful dialogue between the panel members and the audience.

Registration for the conference is free, simply complete the form on the event homepage: http://www.satcomconference.eu/register.html

Larnaca, EC Space Conference, Cyprus 14-15 Nov 2012

2012-03-08T23:00:00+01:00

The European Commission will organise the "Let's embrace space - FP7 Space Conference 2012", in cooperation with the Cypriot EU Presidency, on 15 and 16 November 2012 in Larnaca, Cyprus.

This scientific conference will present the current status and results of the 3rd call of FP7 space research, and also discuss future options for European research in the space field. In doing so, the conference will aim at demonstrating the evolution and use of space tools for a sustainable economic and environmental development in a European and global context.

More information will be available soon and published on the European Commission website as well as on the COSMOS website.

SpaceEU - registration had to be closed earlier

2012-02-19T23:00:00+01:00

Space^EU– Understanding, Matchmaking, Global bridging

More than 400 registrants and a long waiting list are the signs of an overwhelming response to the offer of Space^EU. Due to the limited capacity of the venue registration had to be closed earlier than expected. We apologize for the inconvenience and look forward to meet those that could get registered for the event.

Don�t miss SpaceEU � Registration now available

2011-12-18T23:00:00+01:00

Understanding, Matchmaking, Global bridging – this is Space^EU.

It offers first-hand information on future key European Space programmes, an overview of the European Space landscape and pre-arranged matchmaking meetings.

The event website www.space2012.eu is now online. Find out more about Space^EU and register.

Don’t miss your chance to join. This will be a big event, with room for 350 participants. But demand for places will be high, so register early!

First proposal for HORIZON 2020 � the FP7 follow-up programme

2011-11-29T23:00:00+01:00

Horizon 2020 is the name of the follow-up programme of FP7 (Framework Programme 7).
The new programme for research and innovation will run from 2014 to 2020 with a total foreseen budget of € 80 billion. On 30 November 2011 the European Commission released their proposal for this new programme. According to this document a budget of € 1,7 billion is earmarked for Space research. In relation to FP7 this would mean a 20 % increase.

Horizon 2020 provides major simplification through a single set of rules. It will combine all research and innovation funding currently provided through the Framework Programmes for Research and Technical Development, the innovation related activities of the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP) and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT).

The adoption of Horizon 2020 will:

Strengthen the EU’s position in science with a dedicated budget of € 24.6 billion. This will provide a boost to top-level research in Europe, including an increase in funding of 77 % for the very successful European Research Council (ERC).
Strengthen industrial leadership in innovation € 17.9 billion. This includes major investment in key technologies, greater access to capital and support for SMEs.
Provide € 31.7 billion to help address major concerns shared by all Europeans such as climate change, developing sustainable transport and mobility, making renewable energy more affordable, ensuring food safety and security, or coping with the challenge of an ageing population.

Horizon 2020 will tackle societal challenges by helping to bridge the gap between research and the market by, for example, helping innovative enterprise to develop their technological breakthroughs into viable products with real commercial potential. This market-driven approach will include creating partnerships with the private sector and Member States to bring together the resources needed.

The Space programme under HORZION 2020 foresees: „Enable European competitiveness, non-dependence and innovation in space activities“, „Enabling advances in space technologies“, „Enabling exploitation of space data“ and „Enabling European research in support of international space partnerships”.

Further Information

Space R&D publications

2011-09-25T22:00:00+01:00

Let's embrace space 2011

Space research achievements under the 7th Framework Programme
The following introduction to the compilation of papers describes the objectives
and first results from projects selected under the first calls for proposals under
the FP7 Space Research Programme. It provides a short overview of EU funded
space research and the benefits for our society.

These papers illustrate how space technologies can improve our knowledge of the sustainability of our living conditions on earth. In addition, they highlight the contribution of space technologies to improving the competitiveness and innovative capacity of European industry.

EU Bookshop

SPACE RESEARCH – A European Journey

Space is one of the most stimulating areas of scientific research and technological development,
and full of endless possibilities. The 76 projects featured in the brochure take you on a journey
through the solar system.

Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) service activities progressively take shape,
facilitating enhanced monitoring of nature sites in Europe, developing new tools to monitor scarce
water resources in dry regions, assisting marine scientists to forecast harmful algal blooms along the
Atlantic coast, and monitoring the rain forests across the Earth’s tropical belt to combat deforestation.

Space Research – A European Journey (pdf)

REXUS/BEXUS - Rocket and Balloon Experiments for University Students

2011-09-25T22:00:00+01:00

The REXUS/BEXUS 2012 Call for Proposals is now open until 23 October 2011!

The REXUS/BEXUS programme allows students from universities and higher education colleges across Europe to carry out scientific and technological experiments on research rockets and balloons. Each year, two rockets and two balloons are launched, carrying up to 20 experiments designed and built by student teams.

REXUS experiments are launched on an unguided, spin-stabilised rocket powered by an Improved Orion Motor with 290 kg of solid propellant. It is capable of taking 40 kg of student experiment modules to an altitude of approximately 100 km. The vehicle has a length of approx. 5.6 m and a body diameter of 35.6 cm.
BEXUS experiments are lifted by a balloon with a volume of 12 000 m³ to a maximum altitude of 35 km, depending on total experiment mass (40-100 kg). The flight duration is 2-5 hours.

Further Information

New information on GMES Space Component Best Practice ITTs

2011-09-22T22:00:00+01:00

ITTs funded by the EC or co-funded by EC and ESA are open to all FP7 participating countries.
As a consequence, a part of the GMES space component related activities will be procured by ESA with FP7 budget in line with the EU procurement rules. The concerned Invitation to Tenders (ITT) will be open also to the 27 EU Member States and the associated FP7 countries.

Please be informed that several ITTs have recently been announced in this framework by ESA.

Information letter from the European Commission
Further information and consolidated list of the ITTs published

Presentation of Riga Information Day on 5th Space Call in FP7 are online

2011-07-26T22:00:00+01:00

The presentations held during the Riga Information Day for the 5th Space Call in FP7 are online in PDF format now.

Please select a presentation by clicking on the name / organisation. Alternatively you may use the links below the table to download the ZIP files that contain the presentations of the three different sessions (18th July "Nordic and 3rd Countries Space activities + key note"; 19th July "main session" and 19th July "short presentations of participants").

18th July – University of Latvia (Latvijas Universitate), Raina bulvaris 19, Riga

16:30

Registration - Meet each other at the Meeting Points dedicated to a Call Topic

17:00

Welcome, Marc Jochemich, German Aerospace Center DLR

Nordic Space Activities Session:

Estonia, Anu Reinart, Tartu Observatory

Latvia, Valdis Avotinš , Ventspils

Lithuania, Vidmantas Tomkus, Lithuanian Space Association

Finland, Pauli Stigell, TEKES

Sweden, Andris Vaivads, Swedish Institute of Space Physics

3^rd Country Space Activities Session:

COSMOS – International Cooperation Support, Adrian Klein, German Aerospace Center DLR

Presentations From Representatives of 3^rd Countries:

Russia, Ivan Kosenkov, Roscosmos

Ukraine, Nickolay Kirjukhin, Academy of Technological Sciences of Ukraine

Belarus, Alexander Tuzikov, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus

Keynote:

Looking to Earth with Radar Eyes from Space, Alfons Seibl, EADS Astrium

19th July – University of Latvia (Latvijas Universitate) , Raina bulvaris 19, Riga

8:30 - 9:00	Registration and Welcome Coffee Meet each other at the Meeting Points dedicated to a Call Topic
9:00 – 9:05	Welcome, Kaspars Kalnins, Riga Technical University
9:05 – 9:15	Introduction and Agenda of the Day, Claudia Lindberg, German Aerospace Center DLR
9:15 – 10:15	5^th Call Space in FP7, Reinhard Schulte-Braucks, DG Enterprise and Industry
10:15 – 11:00	Matchmaking Session – Part 1: Presentation of Project Ideas 01) Ms. Elzbieta Zoclonska, Kosmonauta.net - Space Technology 02) Mr. Alar Kolk, Tallinn University of Technology - GMES 03) Mr. Martin Rudolph, Fraunhofer EMI - Space Technology 04) Mr. Carlo Vassalli, Sapienza University di Roma - Space Technology; Space studies 05) Mr. Julius Barzdziukas, Kaunas University of Technology - SME specific research 06) Mr. Viacheslav Ilyin, Institute for biomedical problems - SME specific research
10:45 – 11:15	Coffee Break
11:15 – 13:00	Matchmaking Session – Part 2: Presentation of Project Ideas & Competency Profiles 07) Mr. Domantas Brucas, Space Science and Technology Institute/Vilnius Gediminas Technical University - Space Technology 08) Mr. Aigars Atvars, Institute of Physical Research and biomechanics - Space Technology 09) Mr. Christopher Tucker, Cartheur Technology Research - Space Technology; SME specific research 10) Mr. Symeon Chatzinotas, Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust - Space studies 11) Ms. Jelena Andrejic, Ministry of Education and Science - Astronomy / Astrophysics; Space Technology; Space studies 12) Mr. Carlos Laviada, LIDAX INGENIERIA + additional company presentation - Astronomy / Astrophysics; Space Technology 13) Mr. Piotr Swierczynski, Space Research Centre; Geosystems; Inst. of Geodesy & Cartography - Space Technology; GMES 14) Mr. Aziz Koru, Tubitak Uzay; Aselsan; TAI; SDT - Space Technology; GMES 15) Mr. Senol Gulgonul, Turksat Satellite Communication AS - SME specific research 16) Mr. Ondrej Mirovsky, Technology Centre AS CZ - GMES 17) Mr. Ole Einar Tveito, EUMETNET & met.no - GMES 18) Mr. Ugo Di Giammatteo, Advanced Computer Systems A.C.S. S.p.A. - GMES 19) Mr. Vincent Tigny, Geographic Information Management nv/sa - GMES 20) Mr. Kaizer Moroka, Department of Science and Technology - GMES 21) Ms. Inese Suija-Markova, Forest Owners Consulting Center - GMES 22) Mr. Kamil Glebowicz, NB Composites - Space Technology 23) Mr. Akos Kereszturi, Hungarian Astronomical Association (presented by Kaspars Kalnins) - Space Technology 24) Ms. Michelle McKeon-Bennett Limerick Institute of Technology - Space Technology; SME specific research [ PPT missing]
13:00 – 14:00	Lunch Break
14:00 – 14:45	Space Under the Next Common Strategic Framework for Research and Innovation (“FP8”) - Feedback from Stakeholders, Reinhard Schulte-Braucks, DG Enterprise and Industry
14:45 – 15:10	Space Topics in the 6^th Environment Call + Space Topics in 10^ththe Infrastructure Call, Andis Zilans, Ministry of Education and Science Republic of Latvia (2 seperate presentations!)
15:10 – 15:40	Coffee Break
15:40 – 16:25	Aspects to Consider when Writing a Proposal, Birgit Blasch, REA
16:25 – 17:00	Good Practice in Proposal Writing, Keji Adunmo, APRE
17:00 – 17:45	End with coffee served

Zip files with collected presentations:

18th July "Nordic and 3rd Countries Space activities + key note" (24 MB) [complete]
19th July "main session" (13 MB) [complete]
19th July "short presentations of participants" (14 MB) [ 1 missing]

You can also download the list of participants.

For any questions please contact the COSMOS team.

5th Space Call in FP 7 published

2011-07-19T22:00:00+01:00

On 20th July 2011 the 5th Space Call in FP7 was published. Euro 84 Mio. of budget will be available for the following topics:

Activity / Area	Topic called	Instru-ment	Max. EC contri-but. / project	Bud-get / topic	Total bud-get
Activity / Area	Topic called	Instru-ment	in Mio. €
9.1.1& 2 Space-based applications at the service of European Society / (Pre) operational validation of GMES services and products	SPA.2012.1.1-01 Testing and validating the intelligence-driven and high time-critical scenarios of the CONOPS	CP	4	6	44
	SPA.2012.1.1-02 Testing and validating the low time-critical components of the CONOPS	CP	2	6
	SPA.2012.1.1-03 GMES Security – Support to EU External Actions	CP	4	8
	SPA.2012.1.1-04 Support to emergency response management	CP	2	8
	SPA.2012.1.1-05 Preparing take-up of GMES Sentinel data	CP	2	8
9.1.3 Space-based applications at the service of European Society / Support to the coordinated provision of observation data	SPA.2012.1.3-01 Research and development for In-situ component	CP	2	6
	SPA.2012.1.3-02 GMES Climate Change – Coordination of Earth observation data validation for re-analysis	one CSA	2	6
	SPA.2012.1.3-03 GMES Climate Change – Data archiving and exchange	CP	2	6
	SPA.2012.1.3-04 Consolidation of user requirements for GMES	one CSA	2	2
9.2.1: Strengthening the foundations of Space science and technology / Research to support space science and exploration	SPA.2012.2.1-01 Exploitation of space science and exploration data	CP	2	8	28
9.2.2: Strengthening the foundations of Space science and technology / Research to support space transportation and key technologies	SPA.2012.2.2-01 Key technologies enabling observations in and from space	CP	2	10
	SPA.2012.2.2-02 Key technologies for in-space activities	CP	2	10
9.3.1: Cross-cutting activities / SME specific research	SPA.2012.3.1-01: Bringing terrestrial SME research into the space domain	CP	1,5	9	12
9.3.1: Cross-cutting activities / Studies and events in support of European Space Policy	SPA.2012.3.5-01 Studies and events in support of European Space Policy	CSA	0,5	3
	SPA.2012.3.5-02 Research agenda definitions and research activity road-maps for a European Research framework programme (workshop activities)	CSA	0,5
	SPA.2012.3.5-03 New emerging research needs - reduction of vulnerability of space infrastructure	CSA	0,5
					84

The call will be open until 23rd November 2011, 17 local time Brussels. The work programme and important additional information like the “guide for applicants“ for the different instruments (CP/CSA) can be found at the Participant Portal of the European Commission.

Besides the Euro 84 Mio. made available by the Calls for Proposals, additional Euro 174 Mio. of the FP7 Space budget are transferred to the European Space Agency (ESA) for the development of the GMES Infrastructure as well as the GMES data access. Additional Euro 6 Mio. will be used directly for conferences, communication activities, evaluation of proposals and management.

If you have questions or need advice with regard to this call please contact your National Contact Point (NCP) Space or use our helpdesk.

For this call an International Information Day had been organised in Riga on 18^th to 19^th July 2011. The presentations (incl. partner search presentations) will be made available on the Conference website soon.

Download of call documents

Meanwhile the official EC servers are back to service. Please use the Participant Portal of the European Commission to download the official documents.

Info Day for the 5th Space Call in FP7 with special SME topic

2011-07-12T22:00:00+01:00

The upcoming Space Call in FP7 will, amongst other topics, offer a special SME part. € 9 Mio. out of the total budget of € 85 Mio. will be dedicated to project proposals that bring experience on advanced technologies addressing terrestrial applications to research problems in the space domain.
Use the unique possibility of the Official Information Day for the 5th Space Call in FP7 to learn about the call content, present yourself and your project idea to the audience and find suitable partners for your project.

Only two days left to register for this even! The Information Day will take place in Riga (Latvia) from 18th to 19th July 2011.

For more information, the detailed agenda and to register online for this free-of-charge event please visit:
http://www.fp7-space.eu/news-109.phtm

New CORDIS Partners Service

2011-07-12T22:00:00+01:00

CORDIS, the Community Research and Development Information Service, has just launched a new Partners Service. Designed to be an interactive platform, this free online service can help you promote your expertise and organisations, find business or research partners, create groups, join networks and find the right components for funding bids and proposals. Developed in cooperation with a range of stakeholders, the new service builds on three fundamental ideas: personalisation, collaboration and networking.

Interactivity is a hallmark of social media and Web 2.0. Users have, for example, become accustomed to package and configure information according to their own wishes. The Partners Service takes this into account, combining a vast array of social media tools, CORDIS resources and back-office technologies. The aim is to provide a space where users can talk, debate and engage.

The best way to find out about the new CORDIS Partners Service is to try it out. Take the next step, and see what it has to offer!

URL CORDIS Partner Service

Follow-up - FP7 SPACE and GIO Symposium, Lisbon 26-27th May 2011

2011-06-28T22:00:00+01:00

This event has contributed to a serious and fruitful debate on future financing opportunities for space and has helped promoting active networking among apace players.

The broad panel of speakers laid the opportunities for the soon coming FP7 calls and GIO tenders.

You can now download speaker’s presentations and participant’s list from the event website.

New Portuguese Space Catalog 2011 published

2011-06-28T22:00:00+01:00

The Portuguese space sector has been growing over the past ten years as a result of an active participation in ESA’s and EU’s space programmes. The high technological capacities of Portuguese companies and academia have been widely recognized by the main international actors of the space domain.

To foster this awareness the Portuguese Space Office has just published the 2011 edition of the Portuguese Space Catalog, gathering the contributions from a representative subset of the main companies and academia with preeminent participation in European Space activities, namely those carried through ESA’s and EU’s space programmes.

The digital version of the Portuguese Space Catalog can be download at http://alfa.fct.mctes.pt/apoios/cooptrans/esa/index.phtml.en#pt or http://spaceforum.fct.mctes.pt/docs/pt_spacecatalog_2011_screenversion.pdf

Follow-up Information Day towards the 5th call of Space on June 15th in Tel Aviv

2011-06-28T22:00:00+01:00

ISERD organized an Information Day towards the 5th call of Space on June 15th in Tel Aviv. The event was very successful, attended by 45 participants from Industry, Academy, and Government Research Institutes.

The list of speakers at the event included Mr. Hartwig Bischoff from DG Enterprise and Industry, European Commission, Dr. David Raban, Innovator and FP7 coordinator from TNO Netherlands, the current and former heads of the Israeli Space Agency (Dr. Zvi Kaplan and Mr. Aby Har-Even), and more.

Presentations from this event can be downloaded here.

GMES and Climate Change Conference: Presentations are online!

2011-06-27T22:00:00+01:00

Conference on "GMES and Climate Change" was held 16-17 June 2011 at Finnish Meteorological Institute in Helsinki. With the adoption of the regulation on GMES and start of its initial operations (GIO) last year, the European Earth monitoring programme GMES is becoming operational. GMES shall comprise, among others, a service providing access to information for climate change monitoring in support of adaptation and mitigation policies.

The conference supported raising climate change monitoring to one of the key themes of GMES.

Presentations are online

Horizon 2020 - the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation

2011-06-27T22:00:00+01:00

New name for the future EU funding programme for research and innovation

"Horizon 2020" is the winner of the "You Name it" online vote to name the future EU-funding programme for research and innovation. Three names were shortlisted. Horizon 2020 received 3 055 votes against 2 785 for Imagine 2020 and 2 478 for Discover 2020.

The new name marks another step in our endeavour to establish research and innovation where it belongs, at the centre of EU policy making. So the new name is an important symbol of a new departure and a new adventure.

Horizon 2020 is not just a new name for the same Framework Programme. It is the name for the new, integrated funding system that will cover all research and innovation funding currently provided through the Framework Programme for Research and Technical Development, the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP) and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). These different types of funding will be brought together in a coherent and flexible manner.

This will be a smarter way to support researchers and innovators in Europe – so as to further boost excellence and to help ensure that good ideas reach the market and generate sustainable economic growth and new jobs. Research and innovation funding will focus more clearly on addressing global challenges.

However, there is also, in the longer title, a certain continuity. We will not lose sight of the fact that the Framework Programmes have been a big success and that there has been much to be proud of. We are not going to throw the baby out with the bathwater.

Europe is currently facing very serious economic challenges. But there are reasons for optimism. High on that list is the enormous and still largely untapped research and innovation capacity that we have in Europe.

So it is fitting that the new programme should have a name with an optimistic ring that evokes vision, new possibilities and an ambitious view of what EU-funded research and innovation can achieve.

Because it is only at an EU level that we can mobilise sufficient resources to tackle societal challenges.

Only through EU funding can we help our researchers and innovators to join forces and work together across national borders.

And only the EU can organise continent-wide competition to stimulate our researchers towards greater excellence.

Full press release

iPhone Application: Let's Embrace Space

2011-06-17T22:00:00+01:00

Information about all of the EU's space project is now available in the palm of your hand! With the swipe of a finger, you can access rich multimedia content and much more. Simply download the "Let's Embrace Space" application for the iPhone from the Apple App Store.

Discover the exciting space research projects supported by the European Union on your smartphone. Around 150 projects from FP7 are classified under 3 themes: ISS, Earth, Space. But there is more: watch videos, browse through images or find the people behind the 150 projects.

Keep posted on the latest news regarding Embrace Space program on FP7 projects and bookmark your favorite projects. Test your knowledge with the infotainment quiz. Follow Emma, the seagull, via the infotainment based on geo-localization technology that allows you to keep track of Emma in her flight across the continents.

DESCA Model Consortium Agreement Version 3.0 is out!

2011-05-08T22:00:00+01:00

After 3 years of experience with FP7 projects, the core group decided to review DESCA and so a consultation on DESCA 2.0 took place in 2010. DESCA 3.0 was designed following this consultation process and taking into account recommendations from DESCA users and other FP7 stakeholders.

DESCA aims to provide, as far as possible, a single text which balances the interests of all types of project participants. However, DESCA recognises that different projects will have different objectives and that the interests of the partners may also differ.

To accommodate such differences, the DESCA model CA offers:
• alternative modules for large projects and small projects
• an optional module for projects with a strong software focus
• options in the IPR section and finance section.

Further Information: www.desca-fp7.eu
You find an overview of all modifications and amendments here.

About DESCA (DEvelopment of a Simplified Consortium Agreement for FP7)
DESCA* is a comprehensive, modular consortium agreement for the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). Initiated by key FP7 stakeholder groups, and co-developed with the FP community, it offers a reliable frame of reference which seeks to balance the interests of all of the main participant categories in FP research projects: large and small firms, universities, public research institutes and RTOs.

INCONTACT - Information about specific international cooperation calls

2011-04-14T22:00:00+01:00

The INCONTACT project's Seventh Framework Programme calls dataset provides a simple way to find calls that are targeted to a specific country or countries.

The FP7 calls and more specifically, the topics within the calls, can be filtered using different search criteria, e.g.: call's open/closed status, countries targeted to, work programme, and keyword search.
For your every search query there is a link to a custom RSS feed that can instantly inform you when a call that matches your search criteria is added to the INCONTACT dataset.
An intention is to make the information about specific international cooperation calls in the FP7 work programmes available shortly after it is published in the CORDIS database. The time period that is covered is: 20th July 2010 till the end of the Seventh Framework Programme.

URL: www.archimedes.ee/incontact/home

COSMOS 5th FP7 Space Call Matchmaking Event 18th of March, Bulgaria

2011-04-14T22:00:00+01:00

On 18th March 2011participants from 20 countries from EU and outside got together to exchange expertise and ideas for the next 5th FP7 Space call. The event was organized by the network of National FP7 Space Contact Points, COSMOS.

On 18th March 2011 the network of National FP7 Space Contact Points, COSMOS, organized a matchmaking event related to the coming 5th Space call of FP7. The event was attached to the 2nd Earth Observation-GMES Operational Capacity Workshop and was supported by the Bulgarian Information Office for GMES (BIOG) and Innovation Norway.
The main objective of the event was to create matchmaking opportunities for R&D institutes, universities, SMEs, industry and other organizations on the basis of FP7 Space funding addressing GMES and Space Science Foundations. Interested organizations can present proposal ideas, their competencies or their field of work via posters and oral presentations. This aims at identifying common interest with other players and thus finally at submitting joint proposals under the next FP7 Space call.
Around 100 participants from 20 countries were registered and participated to the event representing 55 scientific organizations, universities, SMEs and industry.

The working sessions were organized in the following order:
- Introductory part: The NCP Space presented the COSMOS Project and its new services – the COSMOS web site. PC Environment Bulgaria presented the topics of the next Environment FP7 call and its relations with GMES. At the end of the session information was given for the expected topics of the next Space FP7 call.
- Thematic sessions: 25 representatives from 8 countries had the possibility to present institutional expertise, or project idea for the next FP7 Space call. The number of presentations from SMEs and industry was substantial.

All the presentations from the event are available on the website of the Bulgarian Information Office for GMES and could be also downloaded from HERE.

Are you interested in doing SPACE research in Canada with Canadian researchers?

2011-04-07T22:00:00+01:00

The ACCESS2CANADA project has listed the RTD and innovation programmes in Canada that are currently accessible for European researchers. This includes programmes that are of interest to researchers in the SPACE sector.

The Class Grant and Contribution Program – Space and Sub-Orbital Component of the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) provides grants or contribution funding to activities and experiments requiring access to space or sub-orbital flights in order to conduct scientific investigations, develop highly qualified personnel, perform technology demonstrations and projects that contribute continuing and significant advancement of innovation and knowledge in the space area and accrue benefits for Canada. The program supports space and sub-orbital flights or missions through a part or all of its necessary phases including design, building, testing, commissioning, operations and initial analysis. It may be a Canadian led flight or mission or a contribution to an international flight or mission. Examples of eligible projects include a Canadian-led experiment requiring a space or sub-orbital platform to obtain research data, and can include international contributions, or an element of an experiment led by a foreing organization using any space or sub-orbital platform to obtain research data. Platforms can include the ISS, earth-orbiting satellites, spacecraft or probes leaving earth orbit, recoverable satellites, sounding rockets, nanosatellites, aircraft, balloons and drop towers.

Eligible recipients of funding will include Canadian universities, not-for-profit organizations established and operating in Canada, or a cluster formed by a combination of the above.

More details on CSA’s Class Grant and Contribution Program (Programme identifier P139), and other RTD and innovation programmes directly or indirectly open to European participation, can be found in our online database.

For general information on S&T collaboration between the Canada and the EU, please visit www.access4.eu/canada.

More information? Contact ACCESS2CANADA!

Linkedin Group �Space Policy Professionals and Researchers�

2011-04-07T22:00:00+01:00

This is a subgroup of the group ‘Science, Technology & Innovation Policy Professionals + Fellows’ and was created in September 2010. Already now over 250 members are registered.

Space Policy is an important and unique thematic area within the broader S&T and innovation policy framework. The group is made for &T policy professionals and researchers with a particular focus on space policy and law in the USA, Canada, Europe, Russia, Japan, China, India, South Africa, Brazil, Latin America, Africa, Middle East and other countries and regions around the world.

The group is aimed at policy and law professionals with a especial interest in: orbital debris, commercial spaceflight, space commercialization, international cooperation in space, ITAR & arms control, space science, navigation & positioning (GPS, Galileo, Glonass, etc), earth observation & remote sensing, geospatial data, exploitation of space resources, Near Earth Objects (NEOs), space weather, the militarization of space, space & air traffic management, space treaties, aerospace sector innovation policy (research, technology transfer, SBIR/STTR, angel & venture capital, prizes, incubators, tax incentives, govt procurement, FP7), aerospace-focused economic development policy, and other space-related policy, legal and regulatory issues of ongoing interest to the global space community.

To know more about the group, follow this link.

European Commission published EU Space strategy

2011-04-06T22:00:00+01:00

On 4th April the European Commission (EC) published a communication “towards a Space Strategy for the European Union that benefits its citizens”. In this document the EC emphasises the political and societal role of Space for Europe. Article 189 of the Lisbon treaty confers on the Union a shared space competence. Referring to this new competence the EC aims at coordinating EU Space programmes to counteract a fragmentation of EU Space activities.

To reach this the EC wants on the one hand to strengthen cooperation with the EU member states and on the other hand to consider new rules for cooperation with the European Space Agency ESA. The role of the ESA should become more flexible in terms of membership and participation opportunities in its programmes. Furthermore a co-existence of civil and military programmes should be realised at the ESA.

The EC also wants to set up its own Space programme with topics based on demands from past Space Councils, the joint ministerial committee of EC and ESA. Aside Gailleo, EGNOS and GMES (with its application fields environment and security) security of Space assets, critical technologies and exploration are in the focus here. Special roles take the International Space Station ISS, where all EU member states should get access to, and Kourou which, being Europe’s spaceport plays a key role in Europe’s independent access to Space. A high-level international forum is thought to be set up to identify exploration opportunities of international relevance and finally support political decision making.

The EC communication on the Space Strategy will be submitted to the Council, the European Parliament and other consulting groups for their opinion. The feedback will then be considered for the implementation of the Strategy through a Space programme. The EC plans to suggest such programme already within 2011. A major factor to be clarified first is the EU financial perspective for 2014 to 2020 at the time being under discussion.

The council is planning a resolution on the Space Strategy. This is to be submitted to the competitiveness council end of May 2011. The adoption of a council resolution on the renewal of the EC-ESA framework agreement is already on the agenda of this meeting.

Please find more details about the EU Space Strategy in the announcement and the official document.

European Commission is preparing for the follow-up of Framework Programme 7

2011-03-14T23:00:00+01:00

Therefore DG Enterprise already held a hearing in December 2010 on Space topics for a potential Space sub programme (see COSMOS Newsletter No. 1).

The EC recently published a Green Paper as basis for a consultation on the principle design of a post FP7 research and innovation funding. Even though the questions raised in the consultation do not specifically address particular programs or even topics the consultation might have influence on the range of future Space research topics.
The recent ideas for a future EU research and innovation funding focus on societal challenges and key technologies. This would exclude several of the considerable Space research topics. Therefore DG Enterprise now recommends using the consultation for promoting Space research funding in the future programme. Especially questions no. 9, 10 and 14 offer the possibility to state one’s position to continue with a “Cooperation” theme that covers a broad range of research fields including Space research. In addition to answering the consultation questions respondents could also use the opportunity to provide statements as free text.

The online consultation on the Green Paper can be found here.

ESA Conference, Symposium and Workshop Calendar

2011-03-14T23:00:00+01:00

The European Space Agency (ESA) organises and sponsors several Conferences, Symposia and Workshops to different subjcts. Keep an eye on the event calendar!

22 March 2011	Sentinel scientific products for Land, Ocean and Cryosphere - Assessment & Consolidation Workshop ESRIN (Italy)
11 Apr 2011	JURSE 2011 - Joint Urban Remote Sensing Event TUM, Munich (Germany)
12 Apr 2011	11th Symposium on Advanced Space Technologies in Robotics and Automation - ASTRA 2011 ESTEC (Netherlands)
09 May 2011	7th Aerothermodynamics Symposium Site Oud Sint-Jan, Brugge (Belgium)
09 May 2011	2011 IAA Planetary Defense Conference Bucharest International Conference Centre (Romania)
10 May 2011	5th European Workshop in Inflatable Space Structures ESTEC (Netherlands)
10 May 2011	European Ground System Architecture Workshop (ESAW) ESA/ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany
18 May 2011	4th International Conference on Spacecraft Formation Flying Missions & Technologies St-Hubert, Québec (Canada)
22 May 2011	20th ESA Symposium on European Rocket and Balloon Programmes and Related Research Hyères (France)
23 May 2011	Sixth ESA Workshop on Millimetre-Wave Technology and Applications - Fourth Global Symposium on Millimeter Waves Espoo (Finland)

Complete Event Calendar

EC consults on radical changes to create more growth and jobs

2011-03-02T23:00:00+01:00

The European Commission has launched a consultation on major improvements to EU research and innovation funding to make participation easier, increase scientific and economic impact and improve value for money. The proposed "Common Strategic Framework", set out in a Green Paper, would cover the current Framework Programme for Research (FP7), the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP) and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT).

This will create a coherent set of instruments, along the whole "innovation chain" starting from basic research, culminating in bringing innovative products and services to market, and also supporting non-technological innovation, for example in design and marketing. The Commission's Green Paper also provides the basis for far-reaching simplification of procedures and rules. The changes aim to maximise the contribution of EU research and innovation funding to the Innovation Union and the Europe 2020 Strategy. Stakeholders have until 20 May 2011 to respond.

The consultation is now open for comments. The deadline for contributions is 20 May.

Find the full press release here.

Immediate changes to cut red tape for researchers and SMEs

2011-03-02T23:00:00+01:00

The European Commission has adopted measures to make participation in the EU's current Seventh Framework Programme for Research more attractive and more accessible to the best researchers and most innovative companies, especially Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs). Based on the simplification plan unveiled by the Commission in April 2010, these measures will take effect at once.

Three concrete measures

The Commission adopted three concrete measures with immediate effect on the management of EU research grants in the current EU research programme (FP7). Each of these steps responds to concerns repeatedly expressed by participants and would-be participants in FP7

Allowing more flexibility in how personnel costs are calculated so that EU research grant-holders can apply their usual accounting methods when requesting reimbursement for average personnel costs. They will no longer need to set up entire parallel accounting systems just for this purpose
SME owners whose salaries are not formally registered in their accounts can now be reimbursed, through flat-rate payments, for their contribution to work on research projects.
A new steering group of senior officials from all the Commission departments and agencies involved will remove inconsistencies in the application of the rules on research funding.

Find the full press release here.

Romania accedes to ESA Convention

2011-01-24T23:00:00+01:00

On 20th January 2011 Romania signed the Accession Agreement to ESA Convention. The signing ceremony took place in Bucharest, Romania in the presence of the Romanian Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Teodor Baconschi.
The Agreement was signed by Jean-Jacques Dordain, ESA Director General and Marius-Ioan Piso, President and CEO of the Romanian Space Agency.
The accession of to ESA Convention is the result of a long cooperation, starting in 1992, when Romania was one of the first Eastern European countries to sign a Cooperation Agreement in the field of the peaceful use of outer space with ESA. A five-year Framework Cooperation Agreement was signed in 1999, and in 2006 the European Cooperating State Agreement was signed.
Romania is now the second East European State acceding ESA Convention after in 2008.
More information can be found on the ESA website.

2nd Earth Observation-Global Monitoring for Environment and Security Operational Capacity Workshop

2011-01-24T23:00:00+01:00

On 17th and 18th March 2011 the 2nd edition of the Earth Observation-Global Monitoring for Environment and Security Operational Capacity Workshop will be held in Sofia, Bulgaria.
After the successful event in 2010 the Workshop will take place in Sofia for the second time. The workshop will be held in the Sheraton Hotel.
The event is organized by the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Bulgaria together with Bulgarian organizations and institutions among which the Remote Sensing Application Centre (ReSAC), with the support of the European Commission and under the overall coordination of the Bulgarian Information Office for EO – GMES.
The draft agenda as well as the registration form can be found on the website http://www.gmes-bg.org/workshop_2.

European Commission appoints two new Deputy Directors General in DG Enterprise and Industry

2011-01-24T23:00:00+01:00

The European Commission, DG Enterprise and Industry has appointed Daniel Calleja Crespo and Paul Weissenberg as Deputy Directors General.
Mr Weissenberg, a German national, will be responsible for the directorates for chemicals, metals, the mechanical, electrical and construction industries, raw materials, and space, security and GMES, as well as EU Satellite Navigation Programmes. He is currently Director for Space, Security and GMES in DG ENTR. He will take up his new duties on 1st February.
Mr Calleja Crespo, a Spanish national, will become DDG responsible for the directorates for regulatory policy, industrial innovation and mobility industries, SMEs and entrepreneurship, tourism, corporate social responsibility, consumer goods and international regulatory agreements, as well as International Relations and will be Special Envoy for SMEs. He will take up his new duties on 16th February.

FP7 � immediate changes to cut red tape for researchers and SMEs

2011-01-24T23:00:00+01:00

The European Commission has adopted measures to make participation in the EU's current Seventh Framework Programme for Research more attractive and more accessible. Based on the simplification plan unveiled by the Commission in April 2010, these measures will take effect at once.

Allowing more flexibility in how personnel costs are calculated so that EU research grant-holders can apply their usual accounting methods when requesting reimbursement for average personnel costs. They will no longer need to set up entire parallel accounting systems just for this purpose;
SME owners whose salaries are not formally registered in their accounts can now be reimbursed, through flat-rate payments, for their contribution to work on research projects.
A new steering group of senior officials from all the Commission departments and agencies involved will remove inconsistencies in the application of the rules on research funding.

Find more detailed information in the EC's press release.

Public consultation concerning a possible EU Space Programme

2011-01-13T23:00:00+01:00

Objective of the consultation
This consultation is part of an impact assessment on a possible Commission proposal for an EU Space Programme concentrating on the protection of space infrastructures and space exploration. The objective of the consultation is to obtain the views of the European public, as well as concerned European stakeholders, on the adequacy and the scope of possible EU measures in these fields.

Target groups
All citizens and organisations are welcome to contribute to this consultation. Contributions are particularly sought from space policy stakeholders, including public authorities and space industry.

Period of consultation
From 03/01/2011 to 28/02/2011

How to submit your contribution
Welcome are contributions from all citizens and organisations. The respondents are invited fill the online questionnaire, replying to all or part of the questions. Please note that the questions marked "compulsory" need to be filled in order to submit the questionnaire.

In case you wish to share further contributions, you may do so by sending an email to entr-consultation-spaceIA@ec.europa.eu.

More information and reference documents you find here.

Overview on Space Policy meetings, conferences and workshops of 2010 published

2011-01-13T23:00:00+01:00

The EC published a website offering an overview on important Space Policy meetings, conferences and workshops that had been organized by EC and/or ESA in 2010.

Besides reports on the events and documents with background information also presentations are published there. The thematic core areas of the events covered are Space Policy and Space Exploration.

Hearing on Space Research in FP8 / Presentations are online

2010-12-20T23:00:00+01:00

On 8 December 2010 the European Commission DG Enterprise and Industry organised a “Space research – FP8 hearing” in Brussels (Belgium). The aim of the hearing was to give Europe's space research community an opportunity to provide the European Commission with ideas to drive the preparation of the FP8 Space theme.

Participants of the hearing were expected to provide concrete input regarding the particular research areas to be addressed with the aim of identifying the space research challenges to be addressed over the next decade. Around 150 participants took part in the hearing; 26 out of over 100 contributions that were submitted beforehand were presented on site.

In response to the very high interest from stakeholders to give feedback on the possible content of future space research priorities, the period during which it is possible to submit written contributions has been extended until 1 February 2011.

The speakers' Power Point presentations, background documents and written contributions from stakeholders are available here.

NEW: Report from SwissCore on the Hearing

With the current FP7 space research programme coming to an end in 2013, the European Commission is preparing the future of EU space research. Space research is expected to contribute significantly to the Europe 2020 priorities, especially with regard to Smart and Sustainable Growth and it is important that Europe continues its research in this domain.

GMES Space Component

2010-11-25T23:00:00+01:00

The European Commission and the European Space Agency (ESA) have concluded an agreement on the delegation of budget implementation tasks to ESA for the GMES Space Component within the FP7 specific programme “Cooperation” and its theme “Space”. ITTs co-funded by EC and ESA are open to all FP7 participating countries.

Please be informed that the ITT(s) listed in the link below have recently been announced in this framework by ESA. (Further information as well as a consolidated list of the ITTs published so far can be found on the CORDIS space page: http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/cooperation/space_en.html.)

19 11 2010 GSC ITT update

GMES Invitation To Tender System

https://gmesfp7emits.esa.int

GMES Space Component

2010-11-04T23:00:00+01:00

The European Commission and the European Space Agency (ESA) have concluded an agreement on the delegation of budget implementation tasks to ESA for the GMES Space Component within the FP7 specific programme “Cooperation” and its theme “Space”. ITTs co-funded by EC and ESA are open to all FP7 participating countries.

Please be informed that the ITT(s) listed in the link below have recently been announced in this framework by ESA. (Further information as well as a consolidated list of the ITTs published so far can be found on the CORDIS space page: http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/cooperation/space_en.html.)

26 10 2010 GSC ITT update

GMES Invitation To Tender System

https://gmesfp7emits.esa.int

Eurisy Position Paper Released / October 2010

2010-10-14T22:00:00+01:00

There is currently a great opportunity for the diffusion of the use of satellite information and services. Potential users are keen to innovate and innovation is recognised as the key to economic recovery. Pioneering public and private organisations have already adopted satellite information and services. Rapid and sustainable measures are necessary to incentivise and support more end-users to follow suit. This will allow the formation of a well-developed core user pool with a critical size to trigger the emergence of a market for satellite services, and ensure Galileo and GMES services fully deliver the expected benefits to society.

Read more ...
http://www.eurisy.org/index.php/news/item/109-eurisy-position-paper-released.html

Download Position Paper
http://www.eurisy.org/index.php/news/item/download/57.html

BS-ERA.NET Pilot Joint Call

2010-10-03T22:00:00+01:00

BS-ERA.NET is launching pilot joint call based on funds from participating countries. In the framework of the Pilot Joint Call "Promotion of collaborative research in the Extended Black Sea Region", the Group of Funding Parties support joint research projects.

The objective of the Pilot Joint Call is to promote collaborative research on Climate & Environment and Energy taking proactive and innovative approach to establish the framework for a sustainable Black Sea Research Programme to the benefit of the development of the extended Black Sea Region.

- Launch of Pilot Joint Call: 4th of October 2010 (on-line submission)
- Deadline for submission of proposals: 14th of January 2011

More information about the call and the online application tool can be found at:
http://bs-era.net

Presentations from Infoday in Padova, Italy - September 15&16 2010

2010-09-26T22:00:00+01:00

International Information Day & Brokerage Event for the 4th Call Space in FP7

List of presentations:

15th September 2010
1.    INTRODUCTION, LUCIANO GAMBERINI
2.    3^rd CALL GALILEO IN FP7, REINHARD BLASI, GSA
3.    ACTION PLAN ON GNSS APPLICATIONS – VIEWS AND PERSPECTIVES, MARIO CAPORALE
4.    RESEARCH SUPPORT MEASURES FOR SPACE SMES, AZIZ KORU
5.    INTERCULTURAL COMPETENCIES – YOUR KEY TO SUCCESSFUL COOPERATION, MATTHIEU KOLLIG
6.    3^rd COUNTRIES - ERA- AND INCO-NETS, PETER MAYR
7.    INTRODUCTION TO CHINA SPACE ACTIVITIES, CHENGLI HUANG
8.    INTRODUCTION TO JAPAN SPACE ACTIVITIES, KOUICHI MARIMOTO
9.    INTRODUCTION TO RUSSIA SPACE ACTIVITIES, ALEXANDER ZAKHAROV
10. INTRODUCTION TO UKRAINE SPACE ACTIVITIES - NSAU, ALEXANDER MELASHENKO
11. INTRODUCTION TO UKRAINE SPACE ACTIVITIES - ATSU, NICKOLAY KIRJUKHIN
12. INTRODUCTION TO USA SPACE ACTIVITIES, BURTON LEE
13. THE LONG TERM PLAN OF THE ITALIAN SPACE AGENCY, PIERO BENVENUTI
14. SPACE RESEARCH AT THE UNIVERSITY OF PADUA, PIERO BENVENUTI
15. THE EU SPACE POLICY AFTER THE LISBON TREATY, MASSIMILIANO ESPOSITO
16. EU SPACE DEVELOPMENTS- A PERSONAL VIEW, JEAN-PIERRE SWINGS

Above presentations in ZIP file (~20MB).

16th September 2010

1.    INTRODUCTION, LUCIANO GAMBERINI
2.    4TH SPACE CALL IN FP7, MASSIMILIANO ESPOSITO
3.    THE ITALIAN SPACE VISION 2020, ALDO COVELLO
4.    WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN WRITING A PROPOSAL, CHRISTINE BERNOT
5.    THE GMES SPACE COMPONENT AND SERVICE SUPPORT ACTIVITIES, ELENI PALIOURAS
6.    ESA ACTIVITIES COMPLEMENTARY TO SPACE TECHNOLOGY, SPACE SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
       AND EXPLORATION, HARALD ERNST

Above presentations in ZIP file.

Project ideas

7.    CLIMATE CHANGE & VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES, DR. THOMAS BLASER
8.    METEORS AND THUNDERSTORM EUROPEAN RESEARCH SATELLITES, MEIDAD PARIENTE
9.    RE-ENTRY MICRO LAB OF NANOSATELLITE, PAULIUS LUCINSKAS
10. PIEZOELECTRIC ORIENTING AND POSITIONING SYSTEMS FOR MICRO- AND NANOSATELLITES,
        RAMUTIS BANSEVICIUS
11. VERSATILE INTELLIGENT ASIC FOR SPACE APPLICATIONS, JEAN GUERARD
12. EUROPEAN HIGH PERFORMANCE FLEXIBLE THERMAL LINK, JAVIER SERRANO
13. MPBUS: MODULAR POWER BUS FOR SPACE VEHICLES, JUAN ALOS

Above presentations in ZIP file.

Institutional profiles

14. SPACE LIGHT SRL, MASSIMILIANO TORDI
15. JMP.INGENIEROS, EDUARDO REMIREZ MIGUEL
16. QUANTUM COMMUNICATION GROUP, UNI.PADOVA, PAOLO VILLORESI
17. TUBITAK SAGE, AZIZ KORU
18. TUBITAK UEKAE, NATIONAL RESEARCH CENTRE, ZUBEYDE GULBOY
19. TUBITAK UZAY, AZIZ KORU
20. SPACE AND SOLAR SOLAR-TERRESTRIAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE, HR. NIKOLOV
21. POLITECNICO DI MILANO, DIPARTIMENTO DI INGEGNERIA AEROSPAZIALE, R. ARMELLIN
22. DEPT. OF ASTRONOMY AND CISAS, UNIVERSITY OF PADUA, PROF. CESARE BARBIERI
23. ACTIVE SPACE TECHNOLOGIES GMBH, FEDERICO TORIELLO
24. ROKETSAN INC., MR. ARIF GOKTUG KARACALIOGLU
25. CAEN AURELIA SPACE SRL, GIOVANNI TUCCIO
26. SPACECIALIST SME, ISRAEL, DR. RAZ TAMIR
27. IRIDIUM THALESALENIASPACE, GUILBERT SOPHIE
28. ASELSAN LTD, AZIZ KORU
29. MIKRO-TASARIM LTD., AZIZ KORU
30. SDT, SPACE & DEFENCE TECHNOLOGIES, AZIZ KORU
31. NASP, LA RIOJA TECHNOLOGY CENTER, JUAN ALOS
32. LITHUANIAN SPACE ASSOCIATION, PAULIUS LUCINSKAS
33. SCHOOL OF PHARMACY, UNIVERSITY OF LONDON, PETER W. TAYLOR

Above presentations in ZIP file.

Official international information day on the 2010 Space call in FP7

2010-09-14T22:00:00+01:00

This year from 15^th to 16^th September 2010 the honourable University of Padua (IT) will host the official international information day on the 4th Space call in FP7 published on 20th July 2010. The event will be organised by COSMOS and supported by the University of Padua.

Through EU funding and the support of the University the event can be offered free of charge.

The programme offers first hand information on the Space call as well as excellent chances for matchmaking. As the coming call puts much emphasis on Space faring 3^rd countries a special session will address these. Representatives of the according countries are invited to present the countries' Space competencies.
For the first time a Galileo call, the 3rd one in FP7 (published also 20th July), will be featured at the Space infoday. The satellite navigation system topics will be presented by the GNSS Supervisory Authority (GSA) who is the responsible funding agency.

Programme

COSMOS, the EU funded NCP Space network, again organises the official EU information event on an FP7 Space call. After Prague (CZ) in 2008 and Warsaw (PL) in 2009 this year the University of Padua, Italy, will host and support the infoday. Their high engagement and the nice city of Padua, where Galileo used to live and teach, are basis to a very attractive and elaborate two day programme.

Providing useful information and enabling valuable contacts are the main aims of the organisers. Thus, oriented on the call content, the agenda was created. On 15th September the event will be opened by high level representatives from the Italian ministry, the hosting University of Padua and the Italian Space Agency. Afterwards a representative of the GNSS Supervisory Authority will introduce the call content of the 3rd call Galileo in FP7 which will bring some new rules to be considered.

The afternoon session will start with introducing the European Enterprise Network (EEN). Especially SMEs can profit very much from their support. The head of the EEN Space working group will present their activities and offers. After that practical tips will be given with regard to international cooperation. What cultural differences should be considered so that cooperation does not end up in avoidable conflicts? Subsequently and fitting to the topic international guests will present their countries' Space activities. With the 4th Space call a new focus will be put on 3rd country cooperation. Mainly Space faring nations should be involved in proposals answering to the majority of call topics. Through according representatives from these countries information and access will be provided as basis for
making contacts.

The 15th September will end with an evening reception.

Location

Padua is closely located to the even more famous City of Venice and can be reached via the two Venice airports, Treviso (42 km from Padua) and Marco Polo (50 km). In addition Verona airport (88 km) is an alternative connection.

Venue

On 15th September the event will take place in the famous Archivio Antico - Palazzo del Bo
(Via 8 Febbraio 2 - 35122 Padova).

The room for 16th September will be Sala dei Giganti - Palazzo Liviano (Piazza Capitaniato 7 – 35139 Padova).

Please find the draft agenda (in PDF) here.

You can register online here.

Please also see a list of hotels inlcuding connections to Padua and a Padua map.

For requests you can contact:
Keji Adunmo: adunmo (at) apre.it,
Valentina Tegas: tegas (at) apre.it
or
info (at) fp7-space.eu

Successful Projects Funded by the 2nd Call of Space - 2008

2010-08-12T22:00:00+01:00

Most of the successful projects funded by the 2nd Call of Space - 2008 have started to work at the end of 2009 and at the beginning of 2010. These projects can be categorized into four main areas:

GMES Downstream Services - 13 projects funded
Space Exploration - 4 projects funded
Developing Critical Technologies - 6 projects funded
Coordination and Support Actions - 3 projects funded

The Commission funded 26 projects in the 2nd Call of Space. Researchers can learn more by clicking the brochures of each projects.

Please follow this link to reach the brochures of the projects - Desire for Space [3 MB] PDF

GMES Downstream Services Projects:

Closely monitoring climate change (EURO4M)
EURO4M: European Reanalysis and Observations for Monitoring)

Understanding climate change in the Arctic (MONARCH-A)
MONARCH-A: Monitoring and Assessing Regional Climate change in High latitudes and the Arctic

Creating a carbon baseline (CARBONES)
CARBONES: 30-year re-analysis of CARBON fuxes and pools over Europe and the Globe

Keeping citizens in the know on local air quality (PASODOBLE)
PASODOBLE: Promote Air Quality Services integrating Observations – Development Of Basic Localised Information for Europe

Towards more targeted coastal marine forecasts (FIELD_AC)
FIELD_AC: Fluxes, Interactions and Environment at the Land-Ocean Boundary. Downscaling, Assimilation and Coupling

Striving for better water quality assessment (AquaMar)
AquaMar: Marine Water Quality Information Services

With the sea rising, more accurate subsidence estimates needed for coastal lowlands (SubCoast)
SubCoast: A collaborative project aimed at developing a GMES-service for monitoring
and forecasting subsidence hazards in costal areas around Europe

Towards a better understanding of landslides and subsidence (DORIS)
DORIS: Ground Deformations Risk Scenarios: an Advanced Assessment Service

Seeing emergencies from different angles (GEO-PICTURES)
GEO-PICTURES: GMES and EARTH Observation with Position-based Image and sensor Communications
Technology for Universal Rescue, Emergency and Surveillance management

Keeping an eye on the world’s volcanoes (EVOSS)
EVOSS: European Volcano Observatory Space Services

Towards an Africa wide ocean observation system (EAMNet)
EAMNet: Europe Africa Marine Network

Towards better emergency response in Africa (GARNET-E)
GARNET-E: GMES and Africa: Regional Network for information Exchange and Training in Emergencies

Building GMES in Africa (SAGA-EO)
SAGA-EO: Support Action to GMES-Africa on Earth Observation

Space Exploration Projects:

Prepare for landing on planets (Phys4Entry)
Phys4Entry: Planetary Entry Integrated Models

Giving robotic rovers a sight of their own (PRoViScout)
PRoViScout: Planetary Robotics Vision Scout

Preparing for safe Earth return (RASTAS SPEAR)
RASTAS SPEAR: Radiation-Shapes Thermal protection investigations for high-Speed Earth Re-entry

Setting the stage for human space exploration (THESEUS)
THESEUS: Towards Human Exploration of Space: a EUropean Strategy

Developing Critical Technologies Projects:

In digital satellite technology, making Europe a world leader (COMETS)
COMETS: COnverters broadband low power high perforMancE for Telecommunications in Space

Harvesting the full potential of radio waves (MIDAS)
MIDAS: Millimetre-wave Integrated Diode and Amplifer Sources

Towards home grown high power space electronics in Europe (EuSiC)
EuSiC: High Quality European GaN-Wafer on SiC Substrates for Space Applications

Harvesting science from radio waves (TeraComp)
TeraComp: Terahertz heterodyne receiver components for future European space missions

Developing more flexible satellites (SATURNE)
SATURNE: Microsystems Based on Wide Band Gap Materials for Future Space Transmitting Ultra Wideband Receiving Systems

Observing our borders from space (NEWA)
NEWA: New European WAtcher

Coordination and Support Actions Projects:

Towards a Space Policy that Europe can be proud of (C-Space)
C-Space: Conditions for Space Policy and related Action Plan Consolidation in Europe

A third way in space procurement (SP4ESP)
SP4ESP: Implementing the European Space Policy: A Coherent European Procurement Law and Policy for the Space Sector – Towards a Third Way

Bringing Europe together on the space journey (NordicBaltSat)
NordicBaltSat: Utilizing the existing and emerging potential of Nordic-Baltic dimension in critical satellite technologies and applications

Successful Projects Funded by the 1st Call of Space - 2007

2010-08-10T22:00:00+01:00

Most of the successful projects funded by the 1st Call of Space - 2007 have started to work at the end of 2008. These projects can be categorized into four main areas:

GMES fast track services - 3 projects funded
GMES pilot projects - 2 projects funded
Space Foundations - 10 projects funded
Coordination and support actions - 3 projects funded

The Commission funded 18 projects in the 1st Call of Space. Researchers can learn more by clicking the brochures and the website of each projects.

GMES fast track services:

geoland2 [2 MB] - a major step forward in GMES Land Services, informing decision makers about the current conditions of our natural environment and predictable trends.GMES fast track services

http://www.gmes-geoland.info/

MyOcean [964 KB] aims at setting up infrastructures, and services in preparation for the GMES Marine Services, including information about the present and future impact of rising sea levels on coastal areas.

http://www.myocean.eu.org/

SAFER [2 MB] ’s main goal is to provide a rapid mapping capacity in response to disastrous events, at the service of European Civil Protection Authorities as well as humanitarian relief.

http://www.emergencyresponse.eu/

GMES pilot projects:

G-MOSAIC [2 MB] helps in supporting EU external relations policies.

http://www.gmes-gmosaic.eu/

MACC [963 KB] is designed to be the pilot project for the future GMES Atmospheric Service, combining computer model simulations with world-wide observations to monitor and forecast the composition of the Earth’s atmosphere and predict regional air quality.

http://www.gmes-atmosphere.eu/

Space Foundations:

AEROFAST [879 KB] ’s main goal is to improve aerocapture transportation technology, allowing for advanced space transportation systems to herald enhanced mobility between Earth and space.

http://www.aerofast.eu/

AGAPAC [2 MB] stands for "Advanced GaN Packaging"; the project endeavours to establish a space-compatible European supply chain for packaging solutions of GaN discrete transistors and GaN monolithic microwave integrated circuits by 2010.

http://www.agapac.eu/

GRASP [2 MB] aims at developing Green Propellant, which can contribute to making space craft more environmentally friendly, while securing independent European access to space.

https://www.grasp-fp7.eu/

With the HAMLET [970 KB] project, Europe reinforces its worldwide leadership in the field of space dosimetry. Its aim is to build a three-dimensional model of the radiation dose distribution in an astronaut’s body

http://www.fp7-hamlet.eu/

The HiPER [740 KB] project will perform basic research and proof-of-concept experiments on key space transportation technologies, allowing for the development of high power electric propulsion and power generation that may enhance space exploration and transportation capabilities.

http://www.alta-space.com/hiper/

The HPH.com [4 MB] project aims at making an important step forward in this field, designing, optimising and developing a new type of space plasma thruster based on helicon-radio-frequency technology, which allows for higher versatility and lower costs compared with current systems.

http://www.hphcom.eu/

ORPHEE [600 KB] seeks to significantly increase hybrid rocket engine performance. The availability of cutting edge hybrid rocket technology in Europe paves the way for future space missions. The project will enhance European competence in hybrid rocket technology and advance its development, raising its Technological Readiness Level (TRL) from 1 to 3.

http://www.orphee-fp7-space.eu/

PRoVisG [4 MB] aims at making the most out of robotic probes that explore Mars and other planets, by improving the processing and representation of visual data they send back.

http://www.provisg.eu/

SOTERIA [2 MB] aims at improving our understanding of space weather phenomena by facilitating a more reliable space weather forecast, based on a space monitoring system.

http://soteria-space.eu/

The project ULISSE [905 KB] provides ground support for the optimum exploitation of ISS experiments.

http://www.ulisse-space.eu/

Coordination and support actions:

The support action SWIFT [907 KB] helps raise awareness about GMES, promoting its results.

http://www.gmes.info/

The National Contact Points (NCP) for Space from 32 countries work together in the support action COSMOS [520 KB] , which aims at making it easier for FP7 applicants to find international partners and to exchange good practices.

http://www.fp7-space.eu/

The STAVE [597 KB] support action aims at identifying, evaluating and valorising space skills in the new member states, taking a closer look at research laboratories, universities, research institutions as well as SMEs and industry that may add value to joint European undertakings. A qualified mapping of technical skills applicable to Space Transportation will be carried out.

http://www.stave-fp7.eu/

Official information day on 4th call Space in FP7

2010-07-20T22:00:00+01:00

The official information day on the recently published 4^th call space will be organised in Padua, Italy. The NCP network COSMOS will be kindly supported by the host, the University of Padua.

Please find more information on the event website.

COSMOS brochure now available

2010-07-01T22:00:00+01:00

The COSMOS working group for dissemination recently had the COSMOS brochure printed. It will be available at our infoday in September in Padua (IT). If your Space NCP is a COSMOS partner you can also ask there for a copy.

The electronic version is available here.

GMES Space Component

2010-06-20T22:00:00+01:00

The European Commission and the European Space Agency (ESA) have concluded an agreement on the delegation of budget implementation tasks to ESA for the GMES Space Component within the FP7 specific programme “Cooperation” and its theme “Space”. ITTs co-funded by EC and ESA are open to all FP7 participating countries.

Please be informed that the ITT(s) listed in the link below have recently been announced in this framework by ESA. (Further information as well as a consolidated list of the ITTs published so far can be found on the CORDIS space page: http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/cooperation/space_en.html.)

18 06 2010 GSC ITT update

GMES Invitation To Tender System

https://gmesfp7emits.esa.int

"Innovation Union!" Your chance to debate with Commissioner Geoghegan-Quinn live online

2010-06-16T22:00:00+01:00

Your chance to ask Commissioner Geoghegan-Quinn live online about her plan to turn Europe into an "Innovation Union" and to let her know your suggestions.

17 June 10:00-11:00

Watch this space for more details and for a video message from the Commissioner.

http://ec.europa.eu/research/index.cfm?pg=commissioner&lg=en

Pre-announcement of the official Space infoday 2010

2010-06-16T22:00:00+01:00

From 15^th to 16^th September 2010 the honourable University of Padua (IT) will host the official international information day on the coming 4^th Space call in FP7. The event will be organised by COSMOS and supported by the University of Padua.

The programme will offer first hand information on the Space call as well as excellent chances for matchmaking. As the coming call puts much emphasis on Space faring 3^rd countries a special session will address these. Therefore representatives of the according countries will be invited to present their Space competencies.

For the first time a Galileo call, the 3^rd one in FP7 (published also end of July), will be featured at the Space infoday. The satellite navigation system topics will be presented by the GNSS Supervisory Authority (GSA) who is the responsible funding agency.

More information, a detailed agenda, and the online registration will be made available on this website.

EU parliament adopts the regulation on GMES programme and its initial operations 2011�2013

2010-06-16T22:00:00+01:00

On 16^th June 2010 the EU Parliament gave its green light for the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) initial phase (2011-13) and approved €107 million in extra funding to make it fully operational.

The decision was taken with great majority (624 votes in favour, 33 against and 12 abstentions). The EU funding foreseen for the 3-year initial operations phase is €107 million, supplemented by €209 million from the EU seventh research framework programme's "space" theme (FP7 Space) for accompanying research actions.

Boosting competitiveness and innovation, 324 million Euro for space and security research

2010-06-15T22:00:00+01:00

The European Commission has initiated negotiations to sign research contracts worth EUR 324 million with 108 successful space and security research consortia. They represent strategic domains for the EU’s competitiveness and contribute to the implementation of a range of policy objectives, including the fights against terrorism and climate change, and the furthering of sustainable development, industrial renewal, economic recovery, leading to the implementation of the 2020 strategy. As a global actor and major space power, the EU relies on space and security research for strong border protection and enhanced environmental monitoring. Therefore funds also support the continued development of Europe's Global Monitoring system for Environment and Security (GMES).

European Commission Vice-President Antonio Tajani, Commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship, said: "In a time of crisis, strategic investments are essential for sustainable future growth. Security is a pre-requisite for business, and space is full of endless possibilities. This type of research is at the heart of the industrial renewal that Europe needs. It demonstrates the added value of European investments in high-end technology for innovation, and as a means to dealing more effectively with the major challenges that confront us."

In cooperation with the Research Executive Agency (REA), 108 successful project proposals have been short-listed from amongst 732 proposals received in the third of six planned calls for proposals under the Space and Security themes of the Seventh Framework Programme for Research (FP7). They comprise 68 space and 40 security research projects: EUR 114 million for the FP7 space theme, and EUR 210 million for the FP7 security theme.

In the space domain, the short-listed Earth observation projects include support for the EU's efforts to fight climate change by monitoring deforestation in Africa, whilst in the area of space exploration, research is set to improve the accuracy and robustness of spacecraft when landing on other planets. International cooperation has increased in space research, in particular with the United States, with American Universities and Research Centres, and major public research institutions such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) participating in a total of 15 proposals. The space domain also sees a high participation rate of 20 percent of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs), compared to the FP7 average of 16 percent SME participation.

In the security domain, the short-listed projects include two large demonstration projects targeted at urban mass transportation and maritime border security, alongside projects furthering exchange of information to fight organised crime, mitigation of chemical, biological radiological and nuclear threats, and actions against money laundering, and counterfeit medicines. International cooperation is also strong in security research, with 40 project proposals bringing with them a total of 550 partners from 36 countries.

Throughout FP7 (2007-2013), EUR 1.4 billion and EUR 1.35 billion have been reserved for space and security research, respectively. With the third call, the number of space research projects is set to rise to 114, and the number of security projects to reach 130.

In July 2010, the European Commission foresees the publishing of the fourth FP7 space and security calls for proposals. Reflecting the political importance given to strategic R&D investment, a positive funding trend is anticipated.

More information:

Details on the on-going security research projects (69 as of today)
http://cordis.europa.eu/fetch?CALLER=FP7_SECURITY_PROJ_EN

Details on the on-going space research projects (46 as of today)
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/space/research/publications/index_en.htm

European space research
http://ec.europa.eu/embrace-space

Source: http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/10/716&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

Published documents for call for tender 11/PP/ENT/GMES/10/311 "GMES pilot services in the atmosphere and maritime areas"

2010-05-21T22:00:00+01:00

Contract notice 2010/S 99-148566 for Invitation to tender 11/PP/ENT/GMES/10/311 "GMES pilot services in the atmosphere and maritime areas" is published on:
http://ted.europa.eu/udl?uri=TED:NOTICE:148566-2010:TEXT:EN:HTML

The main objectives of this procurement are:
1. to build on the GMES services and to implement a first operational element in the area of atmosphere to bring the benefit of GMES to the individual citizens and to exploit some major events to promote the service;
2. to build on the GMES services and to implement a first operational element in the area of maritime ice service to bring the benefit of GMES to related public or commercial operators;
3. to connect in both thematic areas properly to the institutional and commercial players in order to generate and maximise their interest in the sustainability of the services introduced.
This preparatory action should build on and integrate existing elements wherever reasonable. The activities should take into account the products and services provided by the FP7 GMES service projects on atmosphere and ocean, as well as so-called downstream services, when applicable. Further, there is an action of EEA on the coordination of 'in situ' data.

Time-limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate is 19.8.2010

GMES Space Component

2010-04-29T22:00:00+01:00

Please be informed that the ITT(s) listed in the link below have recently been announced in this framework by ESA. (Further information as well as a consolidated list of the ITTs published so far can be found on the CORDIS space page: http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/cooperation/space_en.html.)

23 04 2010 GSC ITT update

GMES Invitation To Tender System

https://gmesfp7emits.esa.int

GMES Sofia Workshop: presentations available

2010-04-22T22:00:00+01:00

The presentations from the GMES Operational Capacity Workshop held in Sofia in March are already available on:
http://www.gmes-bg.org/workshop/program.html

You will find there the last information on future GMES development presented from GMES Bureau, ESA, EUMETSAT and EEA, as well as what is the situation in the EU-12. There you will also find some technical presentations related to GMES from different scientific organisations, SMEs and industry. Please read the "Sofia Conclusions document" which has new interesting ideas and wishes for the GMES future.

Call for tender: GMES pilot services in the atmosphere and maritime areas

2010-03-28T22:00:00+01:00

“Prior information notice” regarding the call for tender addressing GMES pilot services in the atmosphere and maritime areas is available at:

http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/newsroom/cf/itemlongdetail.cfm?item_id=4196

The call aims at building on the GMES services to implement a first operational element in the area of atmosphere and maritime ice services.

geoland Forum on GMES services

2010-02-25T23:00:00+01:00

From 24th - 25th March 2010 the 6th edition of the geoland Forum will take place in Toulouse, France.

The Forum is organised within the geoland2 (Fast track service Land within GMES in FP7). The objective of this Forum is to present the services developed in the frame of the project but also services related to GMES developed at national level .
This conference is opened for registration until 1st March 2010 and free of charge. Some additional social programme is available for an extra fee.

Mor info can be found on http://www.gmes-geoland.info/geoland_Forum.php

EMSA tender for oil spill monitoring and vessel detection services

2010-02-14T23:00:00+01:00

The European Maritime Safety Agency has launched an open invitation to tender N° EMSA /OP/01/2010 for oil spill monitoring and vessel detection services (CleanSeaNet Service Contracts).

All the required documentation could be found on:
http://www.emsa.europa.eu/end182d246.html

The deadline for submission of tenders is 29 March 2010.

ESA Call for proposals for the Changing Earth Science Network

2010-01-28T23:00:00+01:00

The open call of research proposals for the STSE, The Changing Earth Science Network, was opened 29 January 2010, with a closing date of 29 March 2010.

The European Space Agency (ESA) hereby invites all interested research institutions, universities and technical centres from all eligible STSE participating countries (including the Czech Republic) to submit proposals responding to the call.

For detailed information please visit:
http://dup.esrin.esa.int/STSE/news/news157.asp

Call for Proposals 2010 for International Teams in Space Science

2010-01-18T23:00:00+01:00

The International Space Science Institute (ISSI) in Bern, Switzerland, invites proposals for establishing International Teams to conduct on its premises research activities in Space Sciences, based on the interdisciplinary analysis and evaluation of data from spacecraft and possible integration with ground data and theoretical models. For the purpose of this Call, Space Sciences include the Solar and Heliospheric Physics, Solar-Terrestrial Sciences, Space Plasma and Magnetospheric Physics, Planetary Sciences, Astrobiology, Cosmology, Astrophysics, Fundamental Physics, and Earth Sciences.

You have to send in a letter of intent until 15 February 2010. The Deadline for proposals is 31 March 2010.

For detailed information please visit: http://sci.esa.int/issicall2010

Workshop for a convergent evolution of GEOSS, INSPIRE and GMES

2010-01-06T23:00:00+01:00

The EU funded project GIGAS is organizing the 2nd GIGAS Stakeholder Workshop: Opportunities for shaping a convergent evolution of GEOSS, INSPIRE and GMES. The workshop will take place on 26-27 January 2010 at the European Commission Joint Research Centre in Ispra, Italy.

The workshop gives stakeholders of GEOSS, INSPIRE or GMES the opportunity to get insight into and to influence the development of arrangements for interoperability within and between the initiatives. The aim is to achieve a common understanding on how to perform a concerted adoption of activities to influence and shape the evolution of GEOSS, INSPIRE, and GMES towards convergence.

More information can be found on the official event website http://www.thegigasforum.eu/workshops/shaping-2010/introduction.html.

Space events during Spanish EU presidency

2009-12-31T23:00:00+01:00

The Spanish EU presidency started 1st January 2010 and will last until end of June this year. The Spanish activities in the Space sector are higlighted on the official website for the presidency: http://www.eu2010.es/en/espanadecerca/idi/otrasinvest/index.html.

During this 6 month the following Space related events are planned:

"Space and Security / GMES" (February/March 2010)

"Scientific and Educational Aspects of Space exploration" (March 2010)

"Exploration and Innovation, Industrial Competitiveness and Technological Advance" (April 2010)

"Discussion of the Exploration Scenarios, including International Relations Aspects" (May 2010)

More details on these events will be published as soon as they are available.

COSMOS (Cooperation of Space NCPs as a Means to Optimise Services)

Copernicus Masters - the European Earth Monitoring Competition

ESA: Planck reveals an almost perfect Universe

European Commission e-learning course on Innovation for SMEs

Request For Interest on IOT / IOD

Presentations of EC Workshops on Horizon 2020 are online

Space Advisory Group recommendations for Horizon 2020

Experts for Horizon 2020 Advisory Groups: Call for expressions of interest

Scientific cooperation agreement with South Africa's Space Agency

Copernicus: new name for GMES, the European Earth Observation Programme

Horizon 2020: Boosting growth - Commission announces EUR 80 billion for research and innovation

Horizon 2020: Boosting growth

Survey of the European EO Services Industry Sector

Poland accedes to ESA Convention

6th Space call under FP7 published

Official International FP7 Space Informationday - presentations are online

European Commission published draft Space work programme for the last FP7 call

The 3rd issue of QB50 project's newsletter has been published

Pan-European competition �Odysseus�

Call for papers: 50 uses of GMES across European regions

SpaceEU: presentations online

SpaceEU a big success

Presentations are now online

Participant’s profiles still worthwhile looking at

Satcoms Conference, 20 March 2012 in Brussels

Larnaca, EC Space Conference, Cyprus 14-15 Nov 2012

SpaceEU - registration had to be closed earlier

Don�t miss SpaceEU � Registration now available

First proposal for HORIZON 2020 � the FP7 follow-up programme

Space R&D publications

REXUS/BEXUS - Rocket and Balloon Experiments for University Students

New information on GMES Space Component Best Practice ITTs

Presentation of Riga Information Day on 5th Space Call in FP7 are online

5th Space Call in FP 7 published

Download of call documents

Info Day for the 5th Space Call in FP7 with special SME topic

New CORDIS Partners Service

Follow-up - FP7 SPACE and GIO Symposium, Lisbon 26-27th May 2011

New Portuguese Space Catalog 2011 published

Follow-up Information Day towards the 5th call of Space on June 15th in Tel Aviv

GMES and Climate Change Conference: Presentations are online!

Horizon 2020 - the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation

iPhone Application: Let's Embrace Space

DESCA Model Consortium Agreement Version 3.0 is out!

INCONTACT - Information about specific international cooperation calls

COSMOS 5th FP7 Space Call Matchmaking Event 18th of March, Bulgaria

Are you interested in doing SPACE research in Canada with Canadian researchers?

Linkedin Group �Space Policy Professionals and Researchers�

European Commission published EU Space strategy

European Commission is preparing for the follow-up of Framework Programme 7

ESA Conference, Symposium and Workshop Calendar

EC consults on radical changes to create more growth and jobs

Immediate changes to cut red tape for researchers and SMEs

Romania accedes to ESA Convention

2nd Earth Observation-Global Monitoring for Environment and Security Operational Capacity Workshop

European Commission appoints two new Deputy Directors General in DG Enterprise and Industry

FP7 � immediate changes to cut red tape for researchers and SMEs

Public consultation concerning a possible EU Space Programme

Overview on Space Policy meetings, conferences and workshops of 2010 published

Hearing on Space Research in FP8 / Presentations are online

GMES Space Component

GMES Space Component

Eurisy Position Paper Released / October 2010

BS-ERA.NET Pilot Joint Call

Presentations from Infoday in Padova, Italy - September 15&16 2010

Official international information day on the 2010 Space call in FP7

Successful Projects Funded by the 2nd Call of Space - 2008

Successful Projects Funded by the 1st Call of Space - 2007

Official information day on 4th call Space in FP7

COSMOS brochure now available

GMES Space Component

"Innovation Union!" Your chance to debate with Commissioner Geoghegan-Quinn live online

Pre-announcement of the official Space infoday 2010

EU parliament adopts the regulation on GMES programme and its initial operations 2011�2013

Boosting competitiveness and innovation, 324 million Euro for space and security research

Published documents for call for tender 11/PP/ENT/GMES/10/311 "GMES pilot services in the atmosphere and maritime areas"

GMES Space Component

GMES Sofia Workshop: presentations available

Call for tender: GMES pilot services in the atmosphere and maritime areas

geoland Forum on GMES services

Space^EU a big success