Engineering:Business in Space Growth Network (BSGN)

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The Business in Space Growth Network (BSGN), is a commercialisation initiative launched by the Directorate for Human and Robotic Exploration of the European Space Agency in 2019.[1][2] It aims to foster commercialisation of space-based infrastructure such as the International Space Station (ISS) and to prepare for the development of post-ISS infrastructure and utilisation scenarios.[3] The overarching objective of the BSGN is to engage new stakeholders, develop new user communities, lower access barriers and to support the emergence of a sustainable LEO and Lunar Economy.[2]

History

In 2008, ESA commissioned the Columbus (ISS module) which allows the Agency to operate facilities and conduct a multitude of experiments and commercial projects in the space environment.

In 2018, ESA launched a time-boxed Call for Commercially-Driven Research (CDRS) as a pathfinder initiative to support projects with a feasibility study and demo project.[4]

In 2016 and 2018, the Space for Inspiration Conference took place at the London Science Museum and in Bilbao.[5][6] The next conference is anticipated for 2021.

From 1999 until 2020, ESA has been running the Microgravity Applications Programme (MAP) which enabled private industry and academia to jointly work on applied science projects.[7][8] The MAP was discontinued in 2020.

Scope

The BSGN focuses on the commercial utilisation and exploitation of infrastructure that is relevant to ESA's Exploration Strategy which is implemented by the optional European Exploration Envelope Programme (E3P) and covers four main destinations:

  1. Humans in Low Earth orbit (LEO),
  2. Humans Beyond LEO (also referred to as "BLEO", referring in most cases to Lunar orbit),
  3. the Moon, and
  4. Mars.[9]

The geographical scope of the initiative is concentrating on Europe and in particular ESA Member States.

Activities

The mission of the BSGN is to provide an ecosystem in which commercially-motivated products and services can thrive, and where each project delivers value for society.[2]

Three main drivers and utilisation scenarios for the space environment are identified as:

  1. Improving processes and products,
  2. Developing / manufacturing new products, and
  3. Developing new space-based services that allow for the improvement and development of new products and services.

The BSGN provides:[2]

  1. access to space-based infrastructure which can be licensed/rented for commercial utilisation,
  2. support with the development of new space-based infrastructure,
  3. co-funding opportunities for market- and project development,
  4. expertise across a variety of scientific disciplines, and
  5. networking opportunities.

Market Stimulation Programmes (MSPs)

In 2020, the BSGN has started the development of Market Stimulation Programmes across European industries.[3] The aim of these programmes is to identify user needs and create awareness in vertical markets by engaging leading actors from the respective industries.

Each programme focuses on a dedicated industry and is characterised by a portfolio of projects that is financed through a programme fund which investors and sponsors conctribute to.

The first MSP was contracted in June 2021. It is developed by ESA's Managing Partner MEDES, alongside France Biotech and CNES, focusing on Biomanufacturing.[2][10]

Feasibility Studies and Demonstrations Projects (CASE)

To support project teams, the BSGN has partnered with ESA Business Applications and Space Solutions to offer Feasibility Studies and Demonstration Projects.[11]

Commercial Partnership Initiative (CFP)

In 2016, ESA published a permanently open Call for Proposals to promote engagement opportunities in space exploration to the private sector.[12] In this framework, ESA currently has established four commercial space-based services in partnerships with industry:[13]

  • The ICE Cubes Service, based on the ICE Cubes Facility (ICF), located in Columbus aboard the ISS, managed by ESA's Commercial Partner Space Applications Services.[14]
  • The Bioreactor Express Service, based on the KUBIK facility, located in Columbus aboard the ISS, managed by ESA 's Commercial Partner Kayser Italia.[15]
  • The Bartolomeo platform, based outside the Columbus aboard the ISS, managed by ESA's Commercial Partner Airbus Defence & Space.[16]
  • The Commercial Lunar Mission Support Services (CLMSS), providing the first communication and navigation service around the Moon, managed by ESA's Commercial Partners Surrey Satellite Technology and Goonhilly Satellite Earth Station.[17][18]

Projects

See also: International Space Station United States National Laboratory#ResearchMore than 50 projects have been carried out aboard the ISS with the engagement of private industry.[19]

In December 2020, two projects launched to the ISS with SpaceX CRS-21 making use of the ICE Cubes and Bioreactor Express Service.[20]

References

  1. ↑ "Business in Space Growth Network Whitepaper". http://youbenefit.spaceflight.esa.int/docs/Business%20in%20Space%20Growth%20Network.pdf. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "ESA Commercialisation as Driver for Industrial Innovation". https://bsgn.esa.int/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/ESA-Commercialisation-as-Driver-for-Industrial-Innovation-2021-for-website.pdf. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "BSGN Info Day". https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/business-in-space/background-information. 
  4. ↑ "Call for Ideas". http://youbenefit.spaceflight.esa.int/docs/20180620/CallForIdeas.pdf. 
  5. ↑ "Space for Inspiration". https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Space_for_inspiration. 
  6. ↑ "Space for Inspiration 2018" (in en). http://space4inspiration.esa.int/. 
  7. ↑ "Microgravity: A Tool for Industrial Research". https://www.esa.int/esapub/br/br136/br136.pdf. 
  8. ↑ "Research Announcements" (in en). https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Research/Research_Announcements. 
  9. ↑ "ESA E3P Industry Days". https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/e3p-programme-industry-day. 
  10. ↑ "MEDES Webinar Series Biomanufacturing". http://www.medes.fr/fr/actualites/webinar-les-avantages-de-la-r-d-dans-l-espace-au-benfice-de-la-sante.html. 
  11. ↑ "ESA Business Applications' Direct Negotiation (Call for proposals)". https://business.esa.int/direct-negotiation. 
  12. ↑ "ESA Commercial Partnership Initiative". https://esamultimedia.esa.int/docs/business_with_esa/ESA_CFP_Call_for_Partnerships_Dec_2019.pdf. 
  13. ↑ "Commercial Opportunities for Space Exploration" (in en). https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Business_with_ESA/Business_Opportunities/Commercial_Opportunities_for_Space_Exploration. 
  14. ↑ "ICE Cubes space research service open for business" (in en). https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Research/ICE_Cubes_space_research_service_open_for_business. 
  15. ↑ "Fly your experiment to the Space Station with Bioreactor Express Service" (in en). https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/International_Space_Station/Fly_your_experiment_to_the_Space_Station_with_Bioreactor_Express_Service. 
  16. ↑ "All-in-one service for the Space Station" (in en). https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Columbus/All-in-one_service_for_the_Space_Station. 
  17. ↑ "Goonhilly goes deep space" (in en). https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Operations/ESA_Ground_Stations/Goonhilly_goes_deep_space. 
  18. ↑ "Lunar Ride and Phone Home Service" (in en). https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2018/04/Lunar_Ride_and_Phone_Home_Service. 
  19. ↑ "ESA Erasmus Experiment Archive". https://eea.spaceflight.esa.int/portal/. 
  20. ↑ "COVID-19 drug research and bio-mining launching to Space Station" (in en). https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/COVID-19_drug_research_and_bio-mining_launching_to_Space_Station. 

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