Advanced Technology

A key role of ESA in telecommunications is to promote research and development activities, addressing innovative technologies and techniques to ensure the long-term competitiveness of European and Canadian industry. 

To achieve this goal, under the Core Competitiveness element, the Advanced Technology programme is ESA’s main programme for preparatory development of satellite communications, covering long-term research and development activities. 

Our Advanced Technology programme, which features ESA-initiated activities – runs side-by-side with the industry-initiated Competitiveness & Growth programme.

Features

ESA-initiated calls for ideas 

Projects under Advanced Technology are ESA-initiated and are based on calls issued by ESA, for ideas for long term research and development into new satellite communication technologies that push the boundaries of innovation. This leads to a yearly work plan between ESA and its industry partners, with Advanced Technology activities containing significant amounts of industrial research and technical risk. Activities are therefore fully funded. 

The Advanced Technology programme generally supports the early stages of development of systems and exploitation of new and promising technologies for satellite communications. Targeting a higher Technology Readiness Level (TRL) scope, the programme does so in the following areas:

Links to other Advanced Research in Telecommunications (ARTES) programmes

In several cases the Advanced Technology activities are a continuation of one of our Future Preparation or Partnership Project activities.

Within Partnership Projects components are developed and basic feasibility is demonstrated, while within Advanced Technology the technology is developed to breadboard, engineering model or prototype level. The further development to a space-qualified or industrialised product is supported within the co-funded Competitiveness & Growth element. 

Through its Advanced Technology programme, ESA supports the exploitation of new technologies or techniques into products so that in the long-term industry will be able to offer competitive equipment and systems. The Advanced Technology programme also encompasses activities in support of standardisation. 

The Advanced Technology programme workplans are coordinated with other ESA technology programmes. The activities are organised per application area and grouped as Ground Segment, System, or Space Segment related. 

How to work with the Advanced Technology programme

For the best chance of success in securing funding via the Advanced Research in Telecommunications Research (ARTES) programme and provided all other conditions are met, submissions for the Advanced Technology programme should be in line with the following specific requirements: