New Space Economy


The European Space Agency invites you to participate to the fourth edition of Φ-week on 11–15 October 2021.

This event focuses on how to accelerate the future of Earth Observation (EO), presenting recent developments in EO Open Science and latest trends in EO markets, exploring bold and transformative ideas that ESA’s Φ-lab and Data Applications Division supports and scales up along with researchers, start-ups, industry and private investors.

The main theme of Φ-week 2021 is the New Space economy and associated innovations. The sessions, posters and side-events will highlight how the New Space economy is developing in Europe and alongside competition worldwide, and how it can contribute to the EU Green Deal, Digital Europe Programme, Destination Earth initiative, UN SDGs, and in general to the EU Space Strategy and European space sector.

It will be a free-to-attend virtual event for the public and in person for invited speakers, COVID situation allowing it.







EARTH OBSERVATION NEW SPACE



Earth Observation New Space is a global trend of emerging investment and entrepreneurial philosophy together with key technological advancements enabling a private space industry largely driven by commercial motivations and that will eventually evolve into EO Commercial Space.

This trend is transforming several space economy sectors, for example providing lighter and recoverable launchers making space more accessible, delivering richer and more affordable information from space, and providing internet access worldwide based on satellite constellations.



 Cheaper access to space

Richer and more affordable information

New entrepreneurial spirit







EARTH OBSERVATION
SYSTEM-OF-SYSTEMS




Φ-week will explore the concept of EO system-of-systems, which could merge the world-leading Earth monitoring capacity built through the EU’s Copernicus programme with national and private (ongoing and planned) initiatives. This system-of-systems, powered by disruptive technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (Machine Learning), IoT, Blockchains, Quantum Technologies, and in general the digital revolution, will deliver what we could call our future Earth Intelligence system.









LATEST TRENDS IN EO AND NEW SPACE ECONOMY




Φ-week will include inspiring talks, key sessions, roundtables, side events and other initiatives that aim to connect a multi-disciplinary community, which includes EO downstream and upstream world market leaders, researchers, Earth scientists, non-space companies, technology leaders, entrepreneurs, start-ups and innovators, New Space operators, private investors, ICT players, ESA, Member States and EC representatives.







WHY ATTEND



  • Gain insight 
    into recent trends in EO Open Science, the impact of transformative technologies such as AI on edge, quantum computing, cognitive space, IoT, blockchain as enablers for European competitiveness

  • Discuss and contribute
    to how Europe can win the worldwide race for a vibrant New Space EO economy

  • Connect and Network
    with the new ecosystem of space innovators including scientists, corporate leaders, start-ups and private investors

  • Discover
    from keynote speakers about the latest trends on space tech and economy

  • Innovate
    by bringing your idea to the discussion on the future of EO




Φ-WEEK OBJECTIVES



Explore new applications of transformative technologies affecting New Space EO economy, science innovation, missions and services

Support the EO community of European start-ups, New Space operators, investors, ICT players, EO world leaders, ESA, Member States and the EC to connect and propose their view on the future of EO

Inspire early-career scientists, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, citizens and dreamers by gathering and merging EO communities

Partner with new players by fostering new collaboration across disciplines