Six projects developed by the Italian innovative companies Astradyne, REA Space, Relicta, Adaptronics, Inspire and Germina have obtained funding from ESA Spark Funding, a fund made available by the ESA – European Space Agency in collaboration with ASI – Italian Space Agency to finance feasibility studies and demonstration projects to test new technological solutions, promoting technology transfer between space and non-space sectors, and vice versa.
These are foldable and ultralight photovoltaic panels, a technological suit to prevent athletes’ injuries, biodegradable packaging from fish waste, robotic grips for the maintenance of satellites in orbit, drones to extinguish fires in good time, greenhouses that can adapt to the growth of plants to be applied to the maritime sector.
Managing the fund, launched for the first time in Italy in 2024 with an endowment of EUR 1.35 million, is STAM, a technology company based in Genoa and with offices in Rome, Bari, Cagliari and Padua, which acts as a technology broker for Italy on behalf of ESA, in collaboration with ASI.
“The selection of the six project proposals involved a team from ESA, ASI and STAM that assessed over twenty applications received,” stated STAM’s executive director Stefano Carosio in a note. Over the next 12 months, we will work side by side with these companies to accompany them in the development of new products and business models, with the aim of supporting the technology transfer process, helping to strengthen the Italian space sector and its connection with other industrial sectors’.
“We are very pleased with the level of participation of Italian companies in this first ESA Spark Funding open call,” says Aude de Clercq, head of ESA’s Innovative Services Section. “The six technology transfer projects have just started and will be followed up in the coming months by STAM as ESA tech broker for Italy to maximise their impact in collaboration with the ESA and ASI teams.
“The activities of ESA’s technology broker make a significant contribution to the Italian Space Agency’s activities aimed at enhancing space activities, economic growth and the competitiveness of the country. In order to maximise its impact, an integrated approach between research, industry and supporting policies is required, encouraging collaboration between the public and private sectors – confirms Augusto Cramarossa, head of strategic coordination at ASI, which supports ESA in these activities – This programme encourages new business models, start-ups and collaborations between research and industry, with impacts on key sectors such as energy, health and transport. This process accelerates the commercialisation of advanced technologies, contributes to the growth of the space economy, and generates increasing economic and social benefits’.
The six projects
Bari-based Astradyne’s SolarDrape project involves the development of an innovative foldable, ultra-light photovoltaic panel. The system aims to combine high efficiency, extreme lightness and structural robustness, offering an advanced solution for renewable energy generation in critical environments. SolarDrape is designed for applications such as rescue operations and off-grid communities.
REA Space in Turin has developed EMSi, the first intravehicular suit capable of interacting with postural muscles to counteract the effects of microgravity on the human body. In the project, Hercules will develop a sensorised system for monitoring the muscle activity and biomechanical action of athletes, improving performance and preventing injuries, exploiting the transfer of these technologies to the sports sector.
Relicta of Sassari, specialising in the development of innovative solutions for sustainable packaging, is collaborating with Sudalimenta – Tiberino as a producer of quality dehydrated meals for space missions, to create an innovative sustainable packaging system based on waste from fish processing. The project involves biodegradable, edible and hot water-soluble films for vacuum dehydrated food, alongside reusable containers designed to withstand extreme conditions.
The SpacEAAL-Chuck project of Milan-based Adaptronics aims to develop and commercialise an innovative electrostatic-based robotic gripping device to enable in-orbit satellite maintenance operations and active removal of space debris, regardless of the material and configuration of the target object. Through a spin-in process starting with applications in industrial automation, the solution is being developed for the space sector, with further validation tests planned as part of the ESA-funded Spark project.
The Genoa-based Inspire project develops an innovative system for refuelling firefighting drones (pictured), using advanced space-borne connectors. These connectors ensure speed and safety of operations with a patented locking system, enabling prompt response in the early stages of forest fires.
Germina’s project, also from Genoa, develops an adaptive greenhouse system integrating advanced LED technology designed for space missions. The innovation is aimed at the maritime sector.
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