ACCELERATE THE USE OF SPACE
Welcome to the ESA Acceleration Days!
Dive into the future use of space as we demonstrate the power of rapid and open innovation methods to swiftly co-create marketable solutions with end-users. Join us to accelerate the development of actionable, scalable space-based solutions for a sustainable and resilient future. Ready to unlock the potential of space?
Modelled after fast-paced competition formats such as hackathons and innovation sprints, the ESA Acceleration Days are in-person events where top teams compete to take forward space innovation and help tackle Europe’s most pressing issues. With us, you will work on user-driven challenges and real-world scenarios to develop concrete solutions for climate action, crisis response, protection of space assets, and more.
Take forward your ideas and collaborate directly with ESA, field experts, and end-users to develop innovative concepts and prototypes for next-generation solutions.
Join us to accelerate the use of space and register your interest in the ESA Acceleration Days today!
Upcoming Acceleration days
30th of June – 04th of July 2025
Join 5 days of immersive Innovation Sprint at ESA ESEC in Redu!
ESA is welcoming your team in Redu, at the ESA ESEC site, for a 5-day innovation sprint where multidisciplinary teams co-create and prototype bold solutions with end-users, leveraging space capabilities to prepare effective crowd management and mass evacuation in case of emergency or crisis.
This innovation sprint is a fast-paced, collaborative process where teams compete for prizes by co-creating practical prototypes with end users to solve real-world challenges. The sprint is supported by national civil security and crisis stakeholders, whose involvement ensures that the solutions are grounded in real operational needs and safety priorities. Together, participants will tackle critical challenges to enhance European resilience.
Acceleration challenge:
In moments of crisis, every second counts. Whether it’s a natural disaster, large-scale accident, or sudden emergency, the ability to plan and execute mass evacuations efficiently can reduce physical and psychosocial harm as well as save lives. We’re calling on innovators to harness the power of space – from satellite navigation and communications to geospatial intelligence – to develop bold, scalable solutions that:
- Anticipate risks and identify pressure points and vulnerable areas before crisis strikes
- Support optimal placement of infrastructure, escape routes, and safe zones
- Enable smarter, real-time coordination and communications during evacuations
- Strengthen planning, training, and public awareness in advance
From AI-powered mapping and analysis to smart infrastructure design or automated early-warning systems – if your idea leverages space capabilities to make evacuation safer, faster, and more informed, we want to see it.
You’ll work on a real-time, real-world use case developed by ESA together with user partners including, safe.brussels, and Police Brussels Zuid – tackling the complex challenges of mass evacuation planning.
You bring the ideas; we guide you towards a prototype in co-design with end-users.
Who can participate?
This innovation sprint is open to industry players including SMEs and startups ready to explore how space capabilities can enhance mass evacuation preparedness. Participants must apply as teams (6-8 members). Teams should be multidisciplinary, bringing together diverse expertise – from space technologies and AI to emergency planning, urban planning, and beyond. We welcome applicants from any ESA Member States and Associate Member States, and all participants must be 18 or above. Gender-balanced teams and inclusive collaboration are strongly encouraged. Whether you are part of a consortium, a startup team, or forming a new alliance – if you’re ready to co-create the future of emergency preparedness, this is your mission.
Meet your mentors and jurors
Stay tuned for announcements on the mentors and jurors who will guide you throughout your innovation sprint journey – updates coming soon!
Evaluation criteria and Prizes
Stay tuned for announcements on the evaluation criteria and prizes – updates coming soon!
23rd – 25th of June 2025
Join 3 days of immersive Hackathon at ESA ESOC in Darmstadt!
ESA is welcoming you in Darmstadt, at the ESA ESOC site, for a 3-day hackathon where multidisciplinary teams co-create and create bold solutions leveraging space weather data to support spacecraft operations.
This hackathon is a fast-paced event where teams collaborate to develop innovative solutions. In the context of space weather resilience, it leverages newly available near real-time space weather data to create tools that enhance the safety of spacecraft and critical infrastructure. Participants will work together to turn data into actionable solutions for space operations.
Acceleration challenge:
In an era where data-driven innovation is reshaping global markets, leveraging space weather data offers unprecedented opportunities. We’re calling on young innovators to harness the power of space weather data to develop bold, scalable solutions that:
- Provide timely and accurate information on space weather risks for spacecraft operations
- Optimise space weather nowcasts and forecasts for operational use cases
- Improve post event analysis to help operators prevent future disruptions
From predictive models to advanced monitoring and analysis platforms – if your idea leverages space weather data to make spacecraft operations safer and more reliable, we want to see it.
You’ll work on a real-time, real-world use case co-designed with ESA’s Space Weather Office – targeting issues that matter to the space community.
You bring your curiosity and ideas, together we develop them into pitchable concepts at the end of the hackathon.
Who can participate?
ESA welcomes applications from Master or Ph.D. students and early career professionals with a passion for space and innovation. This hackathon is designed for driven individuals from diverse academic and professional backgrounds. Applicants must have a collaborative mindset and a strong drive to tackle real-world challenges. You must apply individually, but you have the option to identify up to two preferred contacts to team up with during the event. All participants must be 18 years or older and hold the nationality of an ESA Member State, Associate Member, or Canada. We strongly encourage diversity and inclusion, aiming to bring together a balanced mix of genders, experiences, and perspectives to foster innovative solutions – if you’re ready to co-create the future of space weather services, this is your mission!
Meet your mentors and jurors
Stay tuned for announcements on the mentors and jurors who will guide you throughout your hackathon journey – updates coming soon!
Evaluation criteria and Prizes
Stay tuned for announcements on the evaluation criteria and prizes – updates coming soon!
08th – 12th of September 2025
Join 5 days of immersive Innovation Sprint in Brussels!
ESA is welcoming you in Brussels for a 5-day innovation sprint where multidisciplinary teams co-create and prototype bold solutions with end-users, leveraging space capabilities for smarter, faster urban green transition planning.
This innovation sprint is a fast-paced, collaborative process where teams compete for prizes by co-creating practical prototypes with end users to solve real-world challenges. In partnership with the European Commission – DG CLIMA, this sprint focuses on driving the urban green transition, aligning innovation with Europe’s climate policy and supporting more sustainable, resilient cities.
Acceleration challenge:
To achieve sustainable development and reach carbon neutrality by 2050, the ambition is to do more, act faster, and put space at the service of all Green Transition enablers. Whether it’s through deploying urban nature-based solutions, identifying areas for renewable energy development, or planning for resilient cities, the ability to harness space capabilities efficiently can significantly enhance urban development. We’re calling on innovators to harness the power of earth observation to develop bold, scalable solutions that:
- Suggest relevant solutions based on city profiles or goals
- Support informed decision-making for urban green transition planning
- Map the ecosystem of space services
- Facilitate the exploration, understanding, and leveraging of existing or emerging space solutions
From AI-powered data discovery and navigation tools to infrastructure design – if your idea leverages space capabilities or scales existing solutions to make urban green transition planning smarter, faster, and more informed, we want to see it.
You’ll work on a real-time, real-world use case co-designed with ESA and the European Commission – DG CLIMA – tackling the complex challenges of sustainable urban development.
You bring the concept; we guide you toward a prototype in co-design with end-users.
Who can participate?
This innovation sprint is open to industry players including SMEs and startups ready to explore how space capabilities can enhance urban green transition planning. Participants must apply as teams (6-8 members). Teams should be multidisciplinary, bringing together diverse expertise – from space technologies and AI to urban planning, environmental science, and beyond. We welcome applicants from any ESA Member States and Associate Member States, and all participants must be 18 or older. Gender-balanced teams and inclusive collaboration are strongly encouraged. Whether you are from a consortium, a startup team, or forming a new alliance – if you’re ready to co-create the future of urban sustainability, this is your mission.
Meet your mentors and jurors
Stay tuned for announcements on the mentors and jurors who will guide you throughout your innovation sprint journey – updates coming soon!
Evaluation criteria and Prizes
Stay tuned for announcements on the evaluation criteria and prizes – updates coming soon!
