The Open Space Innovation Platform (OSIP)

In 2019, ESA launched OSIP to better serve the emerging needs of the modern space sector. The platform is now the main entry point for novel ideas into ESA, both in response to specific problems and through open calls for ideas.

Anybody is welcome to submit ideas for new space technologies and applications via OSIP. The platform supports individuals who wish to contribute to European space research and interact with space industry experts. It also encourages ideas from legal entities interested in interacting with ESA and gaining funding or support for new research activities.

OSIP sources ideas through two routes – Campaigns and Channels. Campaigns search for solutions to specific questions and typically have a well-defined, relatively short timeline. Channels seek ideas and collaboration on more general topics and have a more open timeframe. Campaigns and Channels can be run by all ESA programmes and partners to collect new ideas.

OSIP forms part of a wider effort to support the future competitiveness of European space industry with early technology development, implemented through the Space Technology Strategy. Get involved at ideas.esa.int and help shape the future of space research.

OSIP is implemented through ESA's Discovery & Preparation programme. Discovery & Preparation also runs many Campaigns and Channels. Discovery also runs a continuously open general Channel for ideas that do not fit into any specific Campaigns or Channels.

The route that your idea will take after you have submitted it depends on which ESA programme is running the Campaign or Channel. This section focuses on ideas submitted under Discovery & Preparation calls for ideas.

Once you have submitted your idea, a community discussion phase may help you to develop and improve it before it is evaluated by a team of experts. Authors behind the best ideas will be invited to prepare a more detailed proposal. Following another round of evaluation, the most novel, applicable and achievable proposals will be offered funding, typically through one of three paths: research at PhD or post-doctoral level co-funded by ESA and a host university, early technology development activities, or system studies.

The timeline below is an example for a Campaign that is in the ‘Evaluation’ stage; ideas have all been submitted and the ‘Community discussion’ phase has closed. A similar timeline is visible on each open Campaign to help idea authors keep track of which stage the Campaign is at.

Click here for a more detailed version of the timeline that ideas follow from submission to contract.

For Discovery Campaigns and Channels, successful ideas are funded as one of the three main Discovery programme activities: studies, co-funded research, and early technology development projects. Every month, ESA Discovery publishes a list of ideas that were implemented through the programme during the previous month. Each idea is summarised with a short description. These monthly articles can be found here.

Twice a year, ESA Discovery publishes an article highlighting some of the ideas implemented during the previous six months in more depth. These articles give the minds behind the ideas, as well as the ESA technical officers assigned to each idea, the opportunity to talk about their motivations and goals.

• January−June 2023

• July–December 2022

• January–June 2022

• May–December 2021

• November 2020–April 2021

Why was OSIP set up?

OSIP allows ESA to discover novel ideas and invest in new unconventional activities to foster advancement in the space industry. As the central European space body, ESA is ideally placed to coordinate such projects.

The platform links ESA with businesses, organisations and individuals across the world. Working together in such a way is vital for effectively advancing space research and technology, and will contribute to the European space industry being a leader in this field.

For those with brilliant ideas, it can be difficult to know how to present them to ESA. OSIP provides an efficient, easy-to-use entry point for these ideas. It brings together calls for ideas from across ESA, making it easier to find and respond to them.

Who can submit ideas?

Everyone who is eligible for registration and who accepts the general OSIP terms and conditions as well as any special conditions for each Campaign or Channel can submit ideas. This includes businesses, universities, organisations and individuals.

Please note that if you enter an idea that you propose to implement yourself, you must represent a legal entity eligible to do business with ESA (please refer to Article 18 of the ESA Procurement Regulations)

How can I submit an idea?

The first step is to register on OSIP, where open Campaigns and Channels are visible. Ideas can be submitted in response to either a Campaign or a Channel.

When a Campaign opens, it kicks off with an idea submission phase. During this time businesses and individuals are invited to submit ideas. Initially, new ideas can be kept private, and may be developed with other contributors. An idea can then be submitted, either privately or openly.

For ideas submitted openly, a community discussion phase allows other platform users to vote and comment on ideas, sparking dialogue between users. At this point, ideas can be developed and edited. Additional authors can also be added, leading to collaboration between users on specific projects. Following this phase, eligible ideas will be evaluated by a team of ESA experts. If ESA deems the idea to be sufficiently interesting, it will move the idea to the next step, possibly with some suggestions for elaborations or improvements.

If the idea comes from a legal entity with the ability to pursue it further, ESA may sign a business partnership with that entity, which comprises funding and support. To enter such a partnership, the entity must be eligible to do business with ESA (see Article 18 of the ESA Procurement Regulations).

For an idea originating from an individual without the means to carry it further, ESA may refine the idea before opening an invitation to tender based on it, with the aim of seeking entities that can transform the idea into reality.

New Campaigns are regularly issued on OSIP, based on ESA’s needs. They are announced via the Agency’s official channels or via OSIP itself.

Even those without novel ideas can participate in OSIP. An important part of the platform is the community discussion element, where users build upon each others’ ideas, perhaps suggesting improvements or extensions.

Who implements OSIP?

OSIP is run through the Discovery & Preparation elements of ESA's Basic Activities; these elements peer beyond the immediate planning horizon to lay the groundwork for ESA’s short- to medium-term future activities. The Discovery element supports studies into novel space technology and applications whilst the Preparation element performs mission feasibility studies.

OSIP Campaigns are regularly run by Discovery (with the aim of funding ideas as studies, co-funded research, or early technology development projects) or by Preparation. Other ESA programmes also use OSIP to find the best research to support.