European Space Agency: Space for Metaverse

Funding Opportunity

75% funding by the European Space Agency, up to 75k EUR for each selected activity. These activities will establish commercial services integrating metaverse elements with space technologies into existing/new services and applications.

The Challenge

In recent years, metaverse has triggered the development of several applications/services appealing to both consumers and businesses in different sectors. For example, companies are adding the metaverse to their marketing mix to offer their customers an unprecedented experience. In the metaverse, every asset, process, or person can be replicated virtually and connected, meaning that nearly every aspect of the physical world can take place digitally. Building virtual replicas of physical settings and objects in a metaverse that generate data in real time, allows the generation of far richer analyses which enable improved decision making.

Moreover, the metaverse provides a unique environment for enhancing management and decision-making processes across various industries. By leveraging digital twins, decision-makers can simulate real-world scenarios, predict outcomes, and develop strategies in a risk-free virtual environment.

ESA are looking for promising early-stage service concepts addressing topics of relevance with the following:

• Desirability: service concepts desired by customers, evidenced through customer engagement
• Viability: service concepts that are commercially viable / profitable
• Feasibility: service concepts that are technically feasible
• Motivated teams with business, technical, and financial expertise
• Added value of space data or technology
  
  

ESA will hold a supporting webinar on Wednesday 17 September at 11am CEST (10am UK time): click here to book a place.

• Funded participation to ESA Business Applications is open to any company and/or organisation, be it as group of users, public body or non-governmental organisation, residing in any of those states that subscribe to the BASS programme (this includes the UK).
  
  

Bidding teams must obtain Letter(s) of Authorisation from the relevant national delegation(s) before submitting a Full Proposal.

• Industry and Manufacturing
  
  

Within the digital world, industries, such automotive, manufacturing, supply chain and logistics can test and optimise their systems, processes and infrastructure to identify and address issues for predictive maintenance. Utilities can use the industrial metaverse to repair facilities remotely, slashing emissions-intensive travel. Transport companies can use the technology to better model their network, keeping unnecessary trucks in the garage and planes on the ground.

• Training – The metaverse can replicate firsthand experiences, which have been proven to be more effective for training than content delivered via lectures, text or video. It also allows trainees to repeat a task until they have mastered it with no wasted resources, and it allows workers to revisit training as needed for refreshers or practice. For example, surgeons can use the metaverse to practice complex surgeries before they perform them on actual patients.
• Real Estate – Real estate developers are also investing in virtual real estate within the Metaverse, creating digital properties that can be purchased, sold, and developed. This not only expands investment opportunities but also blurs the line between physical and virtual property ownership. The Metaverse is redefining the way we buy, sell, and experience real estate, making it a dynamic and innovative sector to watch.
• Travel and Tourism – Metaverse can be considered an enabling tool to inspire people and invite them to visit touristic destinations by exploring virtual replicas of destinations before making bookings, providing a more informed and engaging trip-planning process. Virtual travel agents and concierge services have emerged, offering personalized recommendations and immersive travel experiences, reshaping the way we explore the world in the digital age.
• Civil Security and Law Enforcement – The metaverse creates promising opportunities for enhancing situational awareness and preparedness for civil security and law enforcement applications. Immersive simulations using real-time satellite imagery and geospatial intelligence allow to better understand the threats and develop effective responses.

• Satellite Earth Observation (SatEO)
• EO images and meteorological data are key elements in the construction of the virtual environments, especially of digital twins, required by the metaverse applications.
• GIS enables the representation, analysis, and integration of physical data in map form converting complex geographic and social data into interactive 3D models.
  
  

Satellite Communications (SatCom)

• Satcom can be used to increase network’s robustness and resilience. It enables seamless connectivity when terrestrial communications are not available or unreliable.
• Satcom enables data transfer in scenarios involving remote regions in the case of training exercises in a remote factory or offshore plant.
  
  

Satellite Navigation (SatNav)

• GNSS technology is instrumental in anchoring user interaction within the metaverse, enabling the mapping of user locations with extreme precision.
• Geofencing by using GNSS or RFID technology creates a virtual geographic boundary contextualizing the user’s interaction with the virtual environment
• Satellite Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) are key to providing accurate positioning and to track and trace vehicles and persons.

• ESA offer funding and support to companies, both for business case assessment and for the development of new, space-based services. The offer includes:
• 75% funding by the European Space Agency, up to 75k EUR, for each selected activity. The maximum total project cost is 100k EUR
• Technical & commercial guidance
• Access to our network and partners
• Use of the ESA brand for your service
• Zero-equity funding
• ESA will hold a supporting webinar on Wednesday 17 September at 11am CEST (10am UK time): click here to book a place.
  
  

Support is also available from the UK Space Agency: the ESA Proposal Advice Service (ESA PAS) is a UK Space Agency-funded pilot programme designed to help UK-based organisations improve the quality of their proposals submitted to the European Space Agency (ESA). The service provides free, non-technical advice to organisations who are preparing ESA bids and want to strengthen their applications before submission. Click here to complete the ESA PAS form.

You can also contact Innovate UK Business Connect’s Space team for assistance.

Find out more and apply