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23 JUN. 2026
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The European Space Agency (ESA) leads the design, development, qualification and R&D of flagship EU Space programmes Galileo and EGNOS. It also implements satellite navigation programmes focused on innovation, competitiveness and in-orbit demonstrations, with ESA optional programmes NAVISP, FutureNAV, Celeste (LEO-PNT), Genesis and Moonlight.
Do you want to join us in shaping the future of European satellite navigation? From contracts, workshops and industry events to education activities, discover below all the ways you can engage with ESA Navigation, whether you are an European citizen, independent professional or a student.
This article was last updated on 11/06/2026.
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Celeste in-orbit demonstration satellites orbiting
FutureNAV
The FutureNAV programme is ESA’s forward-looking navigation programme that matures and demonstrates promising system concepts and upstream technologies for institutional or commercial use.
Celeste In-Orbit Demonstrator
- Call for ideas: ESA is offering interested third parties from ESA Participating States to participate in the experimentation phase of the Celeste In-Orbit Demonstrator (IOD). This is a unique opportunity to test and validate innovative positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) concepts in real-world conditions using ESA's LEO-PNT demonstrator infrastructure.
- More about Celeste: ESA - Celeste
- More about the call: Call for LEO-PNT experimentation opportunities
- Closing date: ongoing call for proposals
- Eligible for: AT, BE, CH, CZ, DE, ES, FI, FR, GU, HU, IT, LU, NL, NO, PL, PT, RO, SE
Future PNT Demonstrators
- Call for Ideas: ESA is seeking ideas on disruptive and early-stage technologies that should be further developed to shape the future of satellite navigation. These ideas will develop and validate positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) technologies and system concepts for future In-Orbit Demonstration (IOD) missions.
- More about the call: Future PNT Demonstrators: Call for Ideas
- Closing date: ongoing call for proposals
- Eligible for: ESA Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States
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ESA NAVISP Industry Day 2026
NAVISP
ESA’s Navigation Innovation and Support Programme (NAVISP) stimulates PNT market growth, fosters national PNT and develops and commercialises PNT products across the entire value chain. NAVISP is organised into three main elements, with different opportunities throughout the year.
NAVISP Element 1
- NAVISP Element 1 (Innovation). A yearly workplan is developed based on promising ideas, and these ideas are implemented through competitive tenders.
- Call for ideas/proposals: https://navisp.esa.int/page/submit-new-ideas
- Open ITTs: https://navisp.esa.int/opportunity?status=open&category=itt
NAVISP Element 2
- NAVISP Element 2 (Competitiveness).
- Permanent call for proposals: Open Space Innovation Platform - OSIP - Channel: PNT Competitiveness - NAVISP Element 2
NAVISP Element 3
- NAVISP Element 3 (supporting ESA Member States).
- Permanent call for proposals: Open Space Innovation Platform - OSIP - Channel: NAVISP Element 3: Support Member States
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NAVISP Industry Days 2023
Conferences and Workshops
NAVISP Industry Days
- Event: NAVISP Industry Days, 14-16 October, Rome, Italy. NAVISP Industry Days 2026 offers a unique platform for both established leaders and emerging innovators within the global PNT ecosystem. The event is designed to facilitate collaboration among well-established companies, as well as newcomers across Europe and Canada, eager to make a significant impact in the fast-evolving PNT sector. More information on the most recent edition of the NAVISP Industry Days: ESA - Resilience takes centre stage at the NAVISP Industry Days.
- The next edition of the NAVISP Industry Days will take place in Q1 of 2028 in Berlin, Germany.
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Group picture on the last day of the second edition of the Navigation Training Course
Education and Outreach
ESA Academy Navigation Training Course
- Organised in collaboration with ESA Academy, the annual ESA Academy Navigation Training Course gives university students the opportunity to explore Europe’s cutting-edge navigation programmes, from Galileo and EGNOS to Celeste to Moonlight. The course includes a mix of lectures and hands-on exercises and even includes a tour of the Galileo in-orbit test facilities in Redu, Belgium.
- More information: ESA - Navigation Training Course now open for application, ESA - From system to signal at ESA’s Navigation Training Course
- Registration for the next edition will open in Q1 of 2027.
ESA/JRC International summer school on GNSS
- Every year, ESA and the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) team up to provide young researchers with a comprehensive overview of satellite navigation. During the nearly two-week course, participants learn from internationally renowned scientists and specialists, apply new knowledge with practical exercises and lab work and develop an idea into a product or service.
- Applications for the next edition are now open: esa-jrc-summerschool | Summerschool gnss international
- More information: Registration open for 18th annual GNSS summer school,
- Check out the highlights from last year's edition: ESA - Summer school builds future GNSS talent
Open Positions
Interested in joining us? We regularly open new positions at all of our locations. Browse current vacancies here.
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