Copernicus Frontier Tech Challenge (EUR 10,000 prize)

Deadline: July 11, 2022

ESA seeks entries that can demonstrate state-of-the-art technologies in EO, such as artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, DLT/blockchain, AR/VR/XR, mobile technology, Cybersec, and Future of Cloud (hybrid/edge computing, confidential computing, and federated/decentralized computing) for Digital Copernicus. These enable the development of new products and services and address opportunities resulting from the European digital transformation.

Successful applicants will have identified a promising (possibly not fully developed) frontier technology to be applied to new or yet-to-be-developed products or applications using Copernicus data, or have developed a unique value proposition of frontier technology for Copernicus but not yet created a market-ready product.

The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world. To contribute to the success of Copernicus, ESA is exploiting its 35 years of expertise in space program development and management. While the Copernicus program is politically led by the European Union (EU), ESA is the overall coordinator of the Copernicus Space Component and will, inter alia, ensure the uninterrupted delivery of data from the Copernicus Sentinel satellites and an important number of Copernicus Contributing Missions at a national, European and international level. Following the launch of Sentinel-1A on 4 April 2014, the Copernicus program has entered its operational phase, serving users with an ever-increasing mix of satellite imagery and other data.

Eligibility

Background: Necessary teamwork and skill set and their credibility in selected frontier technology domains. Team composition and demonstrated technical competence balance of EO and other tech domains to achieve desired innovation impact.
Solution Description: Clarity and applicability of the solution to the specific problem to be solved. Relevant market analysis.
Technical Feasibility: Is the solution technically sound and implementable at scale? Is the engineering approach credible?
Digital Copernicus: Potential of the solution to advance Digital Copernicus agenda in upstream, midstream, or downstream segment (convergence of EO and other emerging digital technology domains). Successful identification of appropriate research questions, technology development directions, and challenges, anticipated R&D steps, and results. Ability to open growth opportunities in new domains and market potential.
Frontier Technology Innovation: Relevance and use of frontier technologies. Potential to deliver “breakthrough” innovation by introducing new technologies. Potential to improve current products or services. The specific relevance to new technology trends, new user needs, or behaviors, while leveraging new business models.