ESA’s Integrated Applications Promotion (IAP) – ARTES Element 20 – programme recently launched its Open Call for proposals.

The general goal of this new programme is to develop sustainable services where the combined utilisation of at least two space assets (such as Satellite Communications, Earth Observation, Satellite Navigation, Human Spaceflight technologies and others) integrated with terrestrial assets fills a critical gap in existing services, providing a demonstrable added-value; or, to enable totally new applications that could otherwise not be effectively offered.

(In some cases analyses of users’ requirements may underline the need for possible evolution of space assets to fulfil these requirements, which may lead to dedicated technical studies driven by the users’ needs.)

Key to this Open Call is that the proposals are user-driven, that the users are on board right from the start, and that there is an important element of partnership. This will serve to maximise the probability of success, resulting in sustainable operations that properly serve the users’ needs.

If the interested reader wishes to learn more about this Open Call, or to submit a proposal you may go to the new web portal for ARTES 20 Integrated and Telecommunications Applications, where you will find the announcement of the ARTES 20 Open Call as well as the ARTES Applications Handbook, which provides useful information on this programme and how to participate.