Space Technology Transfer workshop ‘Applications of space innovation for water management’ at the EXPO Zaragoza 2008 in Spain

Space furthers development of water management technology

Water management, purification and recycling are indispensible technologies for human spaceflight, as water is a scarce resource in orbit. Only a limited amount of water can be shuttled to space, and the longer you stay in orbit, the more critical the water issues become.

That is why water management and recycling technologies have been invented and developed for use in space – a development that could benefit the water management industry on Earth.

ESA’s Technology Transfer Programme Office supported the transfer of numerous space technologies that now help water management on Earth in various aspects: software developed for space now improves water filtration processes, spacecraft operations software and processes helped advance water companies organise and manage their water distribution, and satellite radar technology is now successfully employed in dike monitoring and thus flood prevention.

Platform for exchange between space and water management technologies

Through the one-day workshop ‘Applications of space innovation for water management’, the Spanish Technology Transfer company and ESA TTPO technology broker INASMET-Tecnalia wants to facilitate the exchange between space and water management sectors as well as to demonstrate the huge solution potential that space technology transfer has to offer.

Beside ESA’s Technology Transfer Programme, the Agency’s Micro-Ecological Life Support System Alternative (MELISSA) project will also be introduced during the event. MELISSA deals with for instance research concerning water recycling and nutrients to achieve cultivation of seaweed.

EXPO Zaragoza 2008

Expo Zaragoza is the largest trade fair of its kind dealing with water. In over 140 pavilions, 2000 experts from over 100 countries and many companies, international institutions and NGOs will be present. Expo 2008 will host over 5,000 shows and a considerable number of conferences and debates on the subject of ‘Water and Sustainable Development’

Parties interested in participating are encouraged to register under the following link:
http://www.inasmet.es/home.aspx?tabId=1400&idEvento=76

ESA's Technology Transfer Programme Office (TTPO)

The main mission of the ESA TTPO is to facilitate the use of space technology and space systems for non-space applications and to further demonstrate the benefit of the European space programme to European citizens. The TTPO is responsible for defining the overall approach and strategy for the transfer of space technologies including the incubation of start-up companies. For more information, please contact:

Technology Transfer Programme
European Space Agency - ESTEC
Keplerlaan 1, P.O. BOX 299,
2200 AG, Noordwijk
The Netherlands ZH

Office: +31 (0) 71 565 3910
Fax: +31 (0) 71 565 6635
Email: ttp @ esa.int

www.esa.int/ttp