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Science & Exploration

N° 22–2003: New opportunities for business in space – ESA commercialisation and technology transfer at Hanover Fair 2003

2 April 2003

At the Hanover Fair 2003, ESA, together with partners DLR and BEOS, will present the wide range of opportunities for commercial utilisation and technology transfer created by Europe’s involvement in space. Exhibits will display the many technologies that are now available for commercial use on Earth and present the new opportunities for business on board the International Space Station.

 

Technology Transfer

The ESA/MST Technology Transfer Programme stand (Hall 18, Stand A11, Ground Floor) will present a series of technologies developed for space which are now ready for use on Earth. Over the past 35 years, the European space industry has gained considerable expertise in overcoming a hostile environment, which has led to the development of many valuable new technologies.

Groundbreaking European space technologies are becoming increasingly available for development and licensing to the non-space industry through the process of technology transfer. Examples of such transfer technologies on display include a ceramic sensor controlling the emission of oxidable gases from home heaters, a piezoelectric film sensor that can accurately detect impacts in cars, cheaper and smarter mechanisms for gear boxes, a mobile satellite navigation and communication safety emergency system, virtual reality ‘glasses’ for mobile computing systems and 3D-presentations.

“Since 1991, more than 160 transfers have generated EUR 25 million in turnover for European space companies and EUR 270 million for the non-space industries involved,” says Pierre Brisson, head of ESA’s Technology Transfer Programme. This programme has already created or saved 2500 jobs and led to the establishment of 30 new companies.

“Our experience shows that the use of innovative technologies produced for European space programmes can improve our day-to-day life on Earth – often the only limits on their exploitation are those of our imagination,” Brisson points out.

ESA is strengthening European industry by developing a scheme to boost entrepreneurship through a network of pan-European business incubation centres (ESINET). The aim is to encourage and accelerate the creation of start-up companies through the transfer of space technologies to other sectors and create new businesses. More information on ESINET can be obtained at the ESA/MST Technology Transfer Stand A11 in Hall 18.

For further information on the ESA/MST Technology Transfer Programme stand at the Hanover Fair, please contact:

Mr Fritz Gampe

Deputy Head of Technology Transfer and Promotion Officer

ESA/ESTEC

Tel: +31(0)71.565.4636

Fax: +31(0)71.565.6635

Business and benefit from space

The ESA, DLR, and BEOS Business and Benefit from Space exhibit (Hall 18, Stand E18, Ground Floor) will showcase the many commercial opportunities that the International Space Station provides to European industrial and investment communities.

The overall motivation for commercialisation of the International Space Station (ISS) is to foster the economic development and exploitation of space, by stimulating research in space and supporting innovative uses of the ISS. The research facilities aboard the Station, together with regular access and the possibility for continual use, offer an unprecedented opportunity for industry to conduct its own research and development in weightlessness, and the image of the Station presents new avenues for marketing.

The possibility of commercial access to the International Space Station for the purposes of private research, sponsorship and education has been built up between public and private Space Station partners over recent years. The outcome of commercial initiatives resulting from this partnership will be presented at the Fair and visitors can find out how they can share in the exciting commercial possibilities that the Space Station offers. A number of invited speakers will give talks on the opportunities currently available for doing business in space.

“The International Space Station has brought important technological advances and offers exciting commercial opportunities for Europe,” says Jörg Feustel-Büechl, ESA’s Director of Human Spaceflight, “in doing so, it is bringing about economic development for the benefit of life here on Earth”.

For further information on the commercial opportunities that the International Space Station provides to European industrial and investment communities, please contact:

Maurizio Belingheri

Head of ISS Commercial Promotion Office

Directorate of Human Spaceflight

ESA/ESTEC

Tel: +33(0)71.565.5068

Fax: +33(0)71.565.5232

e-mail : maurizio.belingheri@esa.int,

iss.commercial@esa.int

Business and Benefit from Space, Hanover Fair 2003

Programme of Talks

Hall 18, Stand E18, Ground FloorDate

Monday 7 April

15.00-16.00 hrs.

VIP event: ISS meets industry (By invitation)

Tuesday 8 April

10.00-11.00 hrs.

ISS – A further step towards the future of the Ruhr Region. North Rhine-Westphalia and DLR present the new initiative ISS Lab Ruhr. (Presentation and expert talks)

14.30-16.00 hrs

ISS: How to use it - Innovative opportunities for industrial and commercial users and investors

14.30-16.00 hrs

Industrial research (Expert talks)

15.00-15.30 hrs Services for users (Expert talks)

15.50-16.00 hrs

Marketing - where the sky is not the limit (Expert talks)

Wednesday 9 April

10.00-11.00 hrs

Research without gravity. Industry-oriented materials sciences (ISS application forum)

11.00-12.00 hrs

ISS-New impetus for innovation. Added value for research and developement (Press event for specialist journalists)

15.00-16.00 hrs

ISS meets the press. Outlook for commercial utilisation of the International Space Station (press talks)

Thursday 10 April

10.00-11.00 hrs

Technology Centre ISS

Nanotechnology, robotics and technology transfer (Expert talks)

15.00-16.00 hrs

The power of tomorrow

Solar cell technologies, fuel cell and combustion science (Expert talks)

Friday 11 April

10.00-11.00 hrs

Academia. Between lab and workbench (Expert talks)

ACCREDITATION FORM

Business and Benefit from Space, Hanover Fair 2003

Programme of Talks

Hall 18, Stand E18, Ground Floor

First name: _________________ Surname: _____________________

Media: ____________________________________________________

Address: __________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

Tel.:_______________________ Fax: _________________________

Mobile:___________________ E-mail: ________________________

Please tick which talks you wish to attend:

( ) ISS – New impetus for innovation

( ) ISS meets the press

Please return by fax to:

Giovanna Bertoli

ISS Commercial Promotion Office

Directorate of Human Spaceflight

ESA/ESTEC

Tel: +33(0)71.565.5068

Fax: +33(0)71.565.5232