Technology Transfer Programme Office
The main mission of the Technology Transfer Programme Office (TTPO) is to demonstrate to Europe’s citizens some of the benefits of the European Space Programme and to strengthen the competitiveness of European industry.
European industry is strengthened by encouraging the beneficial as well as commercial use of space technologies for non-space applications which in turn leads to innovative products and the generation of new jobs within Europe.
Space research has focused on developing and perfecting technologies and processes to unprecedented levels to ensure they can cope with the very harsh nature of space. Technologies and components for space are characterised by:
- low weight
- strength and durability
- efficiency and reliability
- compactness
- temperature resistance
- radiation resistance
- corrosion resistance
Space technologies fall into many categories: materials (composites, alloys, metals); hardware and software; automation and robotics; electronics, sensors and optics; communications; power and energy devices.
Much of this technology can be transferred to new and often highly beneficial applications on Earth – particularly those which improve everyday life. The range of these applications is enormous and ESA’s Technology Transfer and Promotion Office, now called the Technology Transfer Programme Office, was established in 1990 to facilitate technology transfer from space technologies to terrestrial applications and the commercialisation of such applications.
