Satellite teams wanted for Design Booster
Would you like the opportunity to design your own small satellite with the support of experienced space professionals? Can you imagine interacting directly with ESA experts and receiving tailored feedback to refine and strengthen your mission concept? If so, apply to the new edition of the Design Booster programme. The application deadline is 2 October 2026, 13:00 CEST.
ESA is now inviting student satellite teams to apply for the third edition of the Design Booster programme. Selected teams from universities and other tertiary education institutions will be supported throughout the design phase of their missions, enabling them to consolidate their technical concepts and project organisation.
Participants will implement standard practices for spacecraft development and benefit from hands-on training, support from experienced ESA specialists, and access to state-of-the-art spacecraft test facilities.
The programme is open to student teams developing PocketQube or CubeSat missions within an educational framework. Missions must be educational in nature, while additional technological, scientific, or downstream objectives are considered assets.
Teams are strongly encouraged to build multidisciplinary teams that reflect the complexity of space missions. In addition to core engineering disciplines such as systems, mechanical, electrical, and software engineering, teams benefit from expertise in areas such as project management, business development, legal and regulatory affairs, communications and outreach, and data analysis. These diverse skill sets enhance the impact of the mission by enabling a broader range of capabilities across all phases of the mission. Teams may also collaborate with technical colleges or vocational programmes for practical support and may include early-career professionals from academia or industry to provide additional technical or organisational guidance.
Need inspiration for your mission? Young RNC (Resilience, Connectivity and Navigation) proposes a set of mission concepts within the RNC domain to inspire student-led pico- or nanosatellite (CubeSat or PocketQube) missions. Student teams are invited to use these ideas as inspiration for their own mission concepts. The white paper can be requested in the ‘Document Request’ through the ESA Learn - the ESA Education and Community Platform. Selected teams whose proposals are based on or aligned with the Young RNC concepts will be provided with additional support from ESA experts, coordinated by Young RNC. This support includes technical assistance on mission-related activities, opportunities to connect with and receive mentorship from leading experts, and mission-tailored advice during meetings and reviews. Use this opportunity to elevate your mission with dedicated assistance from Young RNC!
Already have your own mission idea? No problem! The Design Booster programme is open to all mission concepts, not just those proposed by Young RNC. Whether you have a unique project in mind or want to explore RNC-focused missions, this programme welcomes all educational missions.
Apply now!
To apply to the Design Booster programme, get familiar with the programme, its timeline and phases, and the proposal instructions.
The submission deadline for proposals is 2 October 2026 at 13:00 CEST. An information session will be organised on 17 June, register through ESA Learn. Shortlisted teams will be invited to participate in the Training Week in November 2026, followed by an online Selection Workshop in December 2026.
If you cannot find the information you are looking for on the website, please contact the Fly Your Satellite! project team at cubesats@esa.int.
Your application starts here: key links website
- Design Booster: About
- Design Booster: Timeline and phases
- Design Booster: Proposal instructions – how to apply and conditions to apply
Key link to ESA Learn for proposal submission: