Hunting technology development ideas that would benefit from StarTiger
Do you have an idea for a new space technology that you would like to work on intensively with a small group of motivated researchers, access to high-tech lab and production facilities, and no administrative distractions? Tell us about it in our latest Open Space Innovation Platform (OSIP) call for ideas that would benefit from such an approach.
Since 2002, the StarTiger approach has been achieving quantum leaps in promising and important space technologies. The concept involves selecting a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers from several institutions and granting them priority access to the necessary state-of-the-art-equipment and facilities for six months. Their task is to rapidly advance a specific technology to a certain maturity.
"Traditionally, researchers work on multiple projects at once with collaborators who are widely dispersed geographically," explains ESA Engineer Peter de Maagt, StarTiger campaign manager. "StarTiger gathers a tight-knit team together for a fixed period of time to target a breakthrough. While the objective is clearly defined with precise success criteria, StarTiger teams are given room and encouragement to innovate."
ESA is looking for novel, unconventional ideas, particularly those with the potential to become mission-enabling technologies. Usually, ESA's technology development is driven by the needs of future missions. Such missions have been selected with technological maturity and financial feasibility in mind, implying that – although missions may be challenging – their ambitions may be constrained. StarTiger responds to a need for innovative ideas for enabling technologies, including from outside the space sector.
Are you interested in finding out more? Join ESA for an introductory presentation and Q&A session on Friday 30 April at 14:00. In the meantime, you can discover more and submit your idea via OSIP until 29 May.
