Engaging the Private Sector in Space Exploration - An ESA Approach

摘要

ESA launched in 2015, through a Call for Ideas (CFI), a process for setting-up strategic partnerships with the private sector to facilitate the implementation of its exploration ambitions, and to foster growth and competitiveness of the European space and non-space industrial base. The approach positions ESA as partner of private sector initiatives in the field of space exploration, in line with the ESA Strategy for Space Exploration adopted in 2014. Eight of the 60 partnership ideas submitted in response to the first call have been selected to enter into a pilot phase to demonstrate their programmatic & technical feasibility, to consolidate the business plan and partnership model, and to prepare the implementation of the full partnership. The range of ideas is broad and includes applications, products, and services related to utilisation of the International Space Station (ISS), post-ISS Low Earth Orbit (LEO) exploitation, lunar exploration, and ground analogue tests. Each partnership offers opportunities for additional partners, interested users and potential customers, to participate in the partnership development and/or benefit from the final products and services. With these partnerships ESA aims to nurture the gradual establishment of private sector services led by European companies for LEO exploitation, strengthen the competitiveness of European industry in providing exploration enabling services at global level, stimulate R&D and integrate innovative solutions into ESA space exploration missions; and foster innovative approaches for inspiring and engaging the public. ESA also explores, together with its private sector partners, opportunities for leveraging on innovative funding sources (crowd funding, sponsorship, prize schemes) for advancing the implementation of the partnership ideas. This paper describes the overall rationale and approach of the initiative and reports on the progress achieved.