Vienna-Schwechat, 10 July 2024 – Yesterday, ESA Phi-Lab Austria invited innovative companies, start-ups and researchers to participate in its first Open Call. The new competence centre at Vienna International Airport, which is the first of 11 ESA Phi-Labs for in Europe, is launching this exciting call to promote projects that are shaping the future of space upstream technology.
ESA Phi-Lab Austria focuses on the industrialization of advanced upstream hardware and software in areas such as new materials, innovative components, systems, and subsystems for rockets, spacecraft and satellites. With a clear view of the emerging New Space market, ESA Phi-Lab Austria supports projects that develop groundbreaking technologies and bring them to market. Participants in the open call can benefit from a range of services, including an innovative seed fund, free coworking space and access to a valuable network of leading industry and research partners. ESA Phi-Lab Austria is implemented by the Lower Austrian technology incubator accent, which has been working closely with ESA for eight years. Other partners in the implementation are tecnet equity, Brimatech, and ENSPACE.
"With the opening of the first Open Call in Europe, we are setting a significant milestone in the development of ESA Phi-LabNET in Europe. With our focus on the commercialization of upstream space technology, ESA Phi-Lab Austria makes a significant contribution to strengthening the Austrian economy. The aim is to establish a competence centre at Vienna Airport in Schwechat and thus use the strengths of the regional industry for a growing New Space market and to network internationally," explains Carlos Fernández de Retana, Head of ESA Phi-Lab Austria.
Open Call
Interested companies, start-ups and research institutions are invited to submit their innovative ideas and projects to ESA Phi-Lab Austria. The Open Call provides an excellent opportunity to showcase breakthrough technologies in the space sector and benefit from the extensive resources and support of the ESA Phi-Lab. Applications are now open and will be accepted until August 18, 2024.
Keynotes from ESA, FFG and Beyond Gravity
The opening of the Open Call was accompanied by inspiring keynotes by high-ranking representatives of the European Space Agency (ESA), the Aerospace Agency FFG and Beyond Gravity. They highlighted the importance of the ESA Phi-Lab network, especially for the New Space market, and offered insights into the future of space technology with a special focus on the upcoming maiden flight of the Ariane 6 rocket.
Ariane 6 – Technology from Lower Austria
Another highlight of the day was the launch of the new Ariane 6 heavy-lift rocket, which took place at 15:00 local time (20:00 CEST) from the European spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. The Ariane 6, whose construction was decided by the ESA Council of Ministers in 2014, also relies on innovative technologies from Lower Austria. The specialized insulation was produced at Beyond Gravity's plant in Berndorf in the Triesting Valley and is being used on a launch vehicle for the first time. Test-Fuchs Aerospace Systems from Groß-Siegharts supplied important check valves as well as electrovalves and valve plates, which are crucial for the mission.
"For around 800 satellites, we supplied the thermal insulation, which is the protective shell that surrounds the satellite. With the maiden flight of Ariane 6, we are now using thermal protection on a launch vehicle for the first time," says Wolfgang Pawlinetz, Head of the Thermal and Mechanisms Business at Beyond Gravity Austria, Austria's largest space supplier. "We have thus successfully opened up a new product field." As a spin-off of space activities, Beyond Gravity Austria also produces insulation for applications on Earth, such as magnetic resonance imaging.
