Future of Space Community

National Space Strategy Toolkit 

Use Case Library

This is page is a use case library of the National Space Strategy Toolkit. Please refer to the Toolkit page for more information.

The Survey on PNT Infrastructure and Technologies in Africa, commissioned by the African Union Commission (AUC), was conducted to assess the continent’s capabilities and gaps in PNT services. This initiative is part of the broader objectives of the Satellite Navigation Africa Support Programme IV, implemented through the SATNAV Africa Joint Programme Office (JPO). The programme’s key goal is to support the operationalisation of the African Space Agency by strengthening Africa’s GNSS and PNT ecosystem through targeted assessments, stakeholder engagement, and strategic planning.Prerequisites: • Institutional & political interest and support for utilising PNT technologies for services • Understand national policies and identify national policies that utilise PNT data• Identify and build relationships with relevant ministries, local companies, and other stakeholders to gather comprehensive data on existing PNT usage in the nation• Inter-ministerial working group• Partner support as neededCost: • Ballpark: USD 10k–20k • Includes: literature review, stakeholder consultations, expert advisory, report drafting and validationNote: A complete study would range from USD 50k-250k and include multiple activities such as determining the relevance of the domain, identification of existing data sources, developing use cases, and a capability maturity assessment) Timeframe: • Overall: 6–12 mo• Phase: scoping (1–2 mo), consultation (2–4 mo), drafting (2–4 mo), validation (1–2 mo)Pros:• Resource Efficiency - Allows to leverage current resources more effectively, reducing waste and maximizing utility.• Cost Effectiveness - Avoids duplication of efforts and investments, reducing unnecessary expenditures and maximizing the value of urgent assets.Considerations:• Stakeholder Alignment - Aligning multiple stakeholders with diverse interests can be complex and time-consuming, potentially slowing down progress.
Africa
Identify existing source of data and infrastructure being used - Africa
European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service, Version 3 (EGNOS V3) is an advanced system that augments signals from global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), such as Galileo and GPS, to provide highly accurate and secure positioning data. Through a strategic partnership between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Agency for Aerial Navigation Safety in Africa and Madagascar (ASECNA), EGNOS V3 is being implemented across more than 16.5 million square kilometres, covering countries in West, Central, and Southern Africa, as well as Madagascar and parts of the Indian Ocean.The deployment of EGNOS V3 enables the provision of precise and stable location information in challenging environments like mountainous regions and remote islands. This significantly improves the safety and efficiency of air navigation, while also benefiting other sectors like agriculture, maritime transport, and land surveying. The system is expected to enter initial operational service in 2025.Prerequisites:• International relationship with a nation that owns GNSS system/data and access to cooperation frameworks with GNSS provider nations• Regulatory clearance for use of external PNT signals• Technical expertise for system integration and operationsCost: • Ballpark: USD 100k–500k• Includes: technical assessment of available GNSS signals and augmentation services, procurement of receiver equipment and reference stations, integration with national systems, licensing and compliance checks, training of operators and engineers, documentation and reportingTimeframe: • Overall: 12–24 mo• Phase: scoping & technical assessment (2–4 mo), equipment procurement & installation (4–8 mo), integration & testing (3–6 mo), training & operationalization (3–6 mo)Pros:• Cost Efficiency - Utilize existing infrastructure to minimize the need for substantial capital investment,• Technology Exchange - Enable opportunities for skill development and knowledge transfer.• Integration - Enable regional integration as well as the strengthen of diplomatic and technological ties.Considerations:• Data Security - The use of external systems may necessitate navigating data sovereignty and security requirements.• Reliance on Foreign Systems - Local PNT systems mitigate risks associated with potential future restrictions on access to foreign systems.
Europe, Africa
Utilise PNT data from other nations to enhance local PNT system - Europe and Africa
The UK and France have renewed cooperation to bolster PNT resilience, including work on eLoran, signal jamming resistance, tech research & infrastructure improvements.Prerequisites:• Identify and build relationships with international partners• Lead agency & budget• Procurement pathway• Partner support as neededCost:• Ballpark: USD 100K-1M• Includes: bilateral or multilateral agreements, joint research projects, calls for proposals and administrationTimeframe:• Overall: 24–48 mo• Phase: Partnership setup (6–12 mo), Projects implementation (12–30 mo), Evaluation (6–6 moPros:• Cost-sharing - Reduces the financial burden on individual nations by pooling resources.• Access to expertise - Partners gain exposure to advanced technical knowledge, labs, and testing facilities they may not have domestically.• Regional interoperability - Jointly developed PNT solutions are more likely to be interoperable across borders, supporting aviation, maritime, and transport sectors.• Political credibility - Demonstrates international cooperation, raising national profile and credibility in global forums (ICAO, ITU, IMO).• Capacity building - Provides opportunities for joint training, researcher exchanges, and skill development across partner nations.• Shared risk - Distributes the risks of research failure, technical delays, or budget overruns.Considerations:• Coordination complexity - Aligning multiple governments’ funding cycles, priorities, and regulations can cause delays.• Unequal contributions - Risk of tension if one partner contributes more funding while another contributes less but receives equal benefits.• IP and data rights issues - Disputes may arise over intellectual property, data access, and commercial exploitation of results.• Dependence on partners - Future continuity may depend on sustained political will in partner nations; if one drops out, the initiative could stall.• Longer timelines - Multinational projects often take longer due to negotiations and consensus-building, even for smaller-scale research.
United Kingdom, France
Launch co-funding initiatives - UK and France
The European Space Agency (ESA) initiated two navigation missions, Genesis and low-Earth-orbit positioning, navigation and timing (LEO-PNT) as part of its FutureNAV programme. Genesis involves a consortium led by OHB Italia, tasked with the development and operation of the Genesis satellite and its payloads, supported by contributions from Italy, Belgium, France, Switzerland, Hungary and the UK. The satellite is expected to launch in 2028, with subsequent years dedicated to scientific exploitation. Genesis aims to significantly improve the International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF) and offer unprecedented precision for navigation and a myriad of Earth sciences applications.For the LEO-PNT mission, ESA has distributed USD 88M for each of the two contracts for the development of in-orbit demonstrators. These LEO-PNT satellites will explore new signals and frequency bands, designed to provide enhanced resilience, accuracy and speed in navigation. The projects are led by GMV Aerospace and Defence and Thales Alenia Space France and involve a broad consortium of more than 50 entities from 14 nations. The first LEO-PNT satellite is expected to launch within 20 months from the project’s commencement, with the complete constellation operational before 2027.Prerequisites:• Capability to process PNT data• Procurement pathway• Partner support as needed• Data policy• Cybersecurity, data protection, and continuity planning• Identification of common needs with partners, identification of capabilities of different partners,• Spectrum policy & coordination with telecom regulator; ITU procedures where applicable• Lead agency & budgetCost: • Ballpark: USD 200M–1B (shared among partners)• Includes: feasibility studies and system architecture definition, design and manufacturing of LEO satellites and payloads, launch services and insurance, ground segment and control systems, development of augmentation algorithms, pilot service demonstrations, international standardization and certification engagement, training and workforce exchangesIn the use case illustrated, ESA initiated 2 programmes distributing USD 260M across 2 contracts. Timeframe: • Overall: 36–120 mo• Phase: feasibility & partnership agreements (12–24 mo), design & early prototyping (12–24 mo), satellite build, launch & demo services (24–36 mo), operational validation & certification (24–36 mo)Pros:• Cost Sharing - Reduce financial burden and spread risk through multinational collaboration. • Strategic Autonomy - Strengthen independence from third-nation systems by developing regional capabilities. • Industrial and Technological Development - Stimulate domestic industries through procurement and R&D contracts. • Improved Interoperability and Standards - Promote harmonized PNT services across borders for seamless integration. • Enhanced Diplomacy and Soft Power - Reinforce geopolitical ties and influence through cooperative GNSS initiatives.Considerations:• Governance Complexity - Navigate slow decision-making processes due to consensus-based governance.• Uneven Contributions and Benefits - Address potential imbalances where smaller contributors may feel marginalized or larger ones overburdened.• Industrial Competition and Fragmentation - Manage disputes over contract distribution to avoid inefficiencies or political friction.• Schedule and Budget Overruns - Anticipate delays and cost increases common in large, multinational programmes.
Europe
Partnerships to procure satellite navigation systems - ESA Member States
The Southern Positioning Augmentation Network (SouthPAN) is a joint initiative between the Australian and New Zealand governments, designed to enhance GNSS signals for improved accuracy and reliability across both nations and their maritime zones. It is currently operational in its early phase.The collaboration is formalized under the Australia-New Zealand Science, Research and Innovation Cooperation Agreement (ANZSRICA). Under this agreement, Geoscience Australia and Toitū The Whenua Land Information New Zealand jointly oversee the development, deployment, and operation of SouthPAN.SouthPAN operates as a Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS), which means it augments existing GNSS signals rather than providing independent positioning services. It uses a network of ground reference stations to monitor GNSS signals, calculate corrections for errors such as satellite orbit deviations and atmospheric delays, and then broadcasts these corrections via geostationary satellites. This process enhances the accuracy, integrity, and availability of GNSS positioning information.Prerequisites: • Strong political mandate and sustained funding• Spectrum/ITU coordination and filings and regional regulatory framework• Partnerships with established GNSS/space primes and launch providers• Technical Infrastructure (Servers and Storage, Network, GNSS Receivers)• Technical expertise for system development, integration and operations• Cybersecurity, data protection, and continuity planning• Legal/regulatory framework for managing and sharing PNT data.• Procurement pathway• Partner support as neededCost:Pilot SBAS/GBAS• Ballpark: USD 50M–300M + OPEX USD 2M–5M/yr• Includes: feasibility studies and agreements, limited ground reference stations and control centres, uplink and communication infrastructure, hosted payloads on GEO satellites, development of augmentation algorithms, initial certification for aviation/maritime, training and workforce exchange, early operations and maintenanceFull Regional SBAS• Ballpark: USD 1-5B over 20 years (shared among partners) + OPEX USD 50M–60M/yr• Includes: regional partnership governance, large-scale reference station network, multiple GEO hosted payloads, full augmentation algorithms and service levels, ICAO/IMO/ITU certification and compliance, workforce development, long-term operations and upgradesIn the use case illustrated, for the SouthPAN system, the development and operations over 20 years represents close to USD 1.2B, to which Australia contributes 75% and New Zealand 25%.Timeframe:Pilot• Overall 48–72 mo• Phase: feasibility & agreements (12–18 mo), design & procurement (12–18 mo), infrastructure deployment (12–18 mo), testing & rollout (12–18 mo)Full SBAS• Overall 60–120 mo• Phase: governance & design (18–24 mo), infrastructure build & procurement (24–36 mo), deployment & integration (18–30 mo), certification & operational rollout (12–30 mo) Test & certification (12–24 mo)Pros:• Increased Accuracy - Improve signal to even cm-level positioning compared to standard GNSS signal.• Economic Benefits - Advanced services that require greater precision are enabled.• Safety-of-Life Services - Enable certified aviation services that enhance safety during critical phases like landing in poor visibility.• Open Access - Provide free and openly available SouthPAN services for users with compatible GNSS devices.Considerations:• Infrastructure Costs - Plan for high initial investment and ongoing maintenance of ground and satellite infrastructure.• Device Compatibility - Ensure users have SBAS-enabled GNSS receivers; some devices may need updates or replacement.• Coverage Limitations - Recognize that SouthPAN currently covers Australia, New Zealand, and maritime zones, but not globally.
New Zealand, Australia
Form partnerships to develop satellite navigation systems augmentation services - Australia and New Zealand
The European Union Agency for the Space Programme Global Navigation Satellite System (EGNSS) Programme and funding mechanisms are designed to support the development of EGNSS chipsets, receivers and antennas.Prerequisites:• Identify key stakeholders such as the government, industry, and academia, and build relationships with them.• Encourage involvement in the consortium.• National space policy/strategy with clear lead agency and budget line• Access to technical/business experts to support private entities applying for funding• Lead agency & budget• Procurement pathway• Partner support as neededCost: • Ballpark: USD 100k–10M for set up + actual grants for funds• Includes: fund design and governance, multi-year funding rounds, technical assistance, monitoring & evaluation, administrative supportTimeframe: • Overall: 12-60 mo• Phase: fund design (6-12 mo), funding round(s) (6 - 48 mo), optional evaluation & scale-up (6 - 12 mo)Pros:• Feasibility Through Cost Sharing - Reduce individual financial burdens and enable large-scale projects through shared investment.• Consortium Market Access - Gain access to new markets and opportunities via shared networks and partnerships.Considerations: • Governance Challenges - Manage diverse stakeholder objectives through robust governance and operating structures.• Extended R&D Timelines - Plan for longer development cycles, especially in PNT R&D, which may not align with short-term ROI expectations.
Europe
Set up dedicated R&D funding mechanisms for industry - EU Member States
Finland is proactive in addressing the risks posed by space weather, particularly geomagnetic storms, to its power grid infrastructure. Due to its geographic location, Finland is especially vulnerable to geomagnetically induced currents caused by geomagnetic storms. Damage can range from voltage instability to total grid blackouts in extreme cases. Prerequisites:• Institutional & political interest and support for utilising Space Weather data for services • Understand national policies and identify national policies that utilise Space Weather data• Identify and build relationships with relevant ministries, local companies, and other stakeholders to gather comprehensive data on existing Space Weather data usage in the nation• Inter-ministerial working group• Partner support as neededCost: • Ballpark: USD 10k–20k • Includes: literature review, stakeholder consultations, expert advisory, report drafting and validationNote: A complete study would range from USD 50k-250k and include multiple activities such as determining the relevance of the domain, identification of existing data sources, developing use cases, and a capability maturity assessment) Timeframe: • Overall: 6–12 mo• Phase: scoping (1–2 mo), consultation (2–4 mo), drafting (2–4 mo), validation (1–2 mo)Pros: • Consistency - Ensures policy consistency and facilitates government support. • Resource Efficiency - Allows for efficient resource utilisation, maximizing the impact of investments. Considerations: • Articulation - May require collaboration with a variety of stakeholders, including government agencies, industry leaders, and academic institutions.
Finland
Determine the extent to which this domain is relevant to your national priorities/needs - Finland
The South African government recognizes that space science and technology can contribute to a wide range of national priority issues, such as job creation, poverty reduction, resource management, and rural development. As a result, they have formulated a strategy to utilize the space programme to enhance the quality of life for citizens and promote sustainable economic development.Prerequisites:• Institutional & political interest and support for space science• Understand national policies and identify national policies that utilise space science data• Identify and build relationships with relevant ministries, local companies, and other stakeholders to gather comprehensive data on existing space science usage in the nation• Inter-ministerial working group• Partner support as neededCost:• Ballpark: USD 10k–50k• Includes: literature review, stakeholder consultations, expert advisory, report drafting and validationTimeframe:• Overall: 6–12 mo• Phase: scoping (1–2 mo), consultation (2–4 mo), drafting (2–4 mo), validation (1–2 mo)Pros:• Policy Alignment – Increases the likelihood of government support by aligning projects with national priorities and goals.• Investment Efficiency – Allows for efficient resource utilization, maximising the impact of investmentsConsiderations:• Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration - Requires potential collaboration with a variety of stakeholders, including government agencies, industry leaders, and academic institutions.
South Africa
Determine the extent to which this domain is relevant to your national priorities - South Africa
The International Space Station (ISS) is a multinational research platform in Low Earth Orbit, offering continuous access to microgravity. It supports a wide range of physical, biological, and technological experiments that are not possible under Earth's gravity. Research on the ISS contributes to advancements in medicine, materials science, fluid physics, and space technologies, with benefits both for space exploration and for life on Earth. Space agencies and private users from academia and industry regularly conduct experiments aboard the ISS through various access frameworks, including open calls and partnership programs. Examples include protein crystal growth for pharmaceutical development, stem cell research, combustion studies, and in-orbit demonstration of space systems.Prerequisites• Access to technical expertise in microgravity experiment design• International partnerships with agencies or commercial providers• Procurement pathway• Partner support as neededCost: • Ballpark: USD 10k–20k (clinostats / desktop simulators), USD 50k–200k (drop tower experiments, e.g., ZARM Bremen), USD 100k–500k (zero-g parabolic flights), USD 0.5M–2M (suborbital flights), USD 1M–10M (ISS access via space agency/ ISS National Lab)• Includes: experiment design and preparation, integration and safety reviews, hardware procurement or adaptation, launch or facility access fees, data collection and analysis, researcher training and travelTimeframe: • Overall: 6–36 mo (depending on platform)• Phase: experiment design & review (3–6 mo), integration & preparation (3–12 mo), execution of experiment (days to weeks for drop tower/flight; months for ISS), data analysis & reporting (3–12 mo)Pros: • Innovation Enablement – Expands research opportunities through increased use of microgravity platforms, fostering scientific and technological innovation.• Cost Sharing – Reduces the financial burden of space research through collaboration with commercial initiatives and shared investment models.Considerations: • IP and Data Governance Complexity – Involves negotiating intellectual property rights, data access, and ownership agreements, which can be legally intricate and time-consuming across different platforms and partners.
Utilise platforms available for microgravity research (clinostats, zero-g flights, drop towers, suborbital, space stations) - ISS
Several commercial providers now offer dedicated platforms for microgravity research outside of traditional government programmes. These include suborbital vehicles capable of carrying payloads for short-duration microgravity experiments, as well as privately operated modules and future orbital platforms that will host science and technology demonstrations. Such services allow researchers from emerging nations to access space-based experimentation without the need to develop their own launch systems or space stations.By engaging with these providers, nations can sponsor university experiments, test new materials and biomedical technologies, or conduct educational projects, while building local expertise in preparing and managing spaceflight payloads. These commercial opportunities can complement participation in government-led facilities (e.g., ISS, drop towers, parabolic flights) and provide a stepping-stone toward long-term national capabilities in space science and exploration. Non-exhaustive list is provided below.1. Suborbital Vehicles (rockets, commercial flights)• Blue Origin – New Shepard (US) – suborbital rocket providing several minutes of microgravity for science payloads.• UP Aerospace (US) – suborbital sounding rocket service for student and commercial payloads.• ISRO Sounding Rockets (India) – suborbital launches supporting atmospheric and microgravity research.• JAXA S-520 & SS-520 (Japan) – sounding rockets for student and research payloads.2. Parabolic Flights (aircraft-based microgravity)• Zero-G (US) – Boeing 727 “G-FORCE ONE” flights offering short-duration microgravity for research, training, and education.• Air Zero G / Novespace (France) – Airbus A310 platform providing parabolic research flights.• Glavkosmos / Roscosmos (Russia) – parabolic flight services using Russian aircraft for research and training.3. Drop Towers & Ground-Based Facilities• ZARM Drop Tower (Germany) – up to 9.3 seconds of weightlessness for physics and engineering research.• NASA Glenn Drop Tower (US) – 2.2-second drop tower for small experiments.4. Orbital & ISS-Based Platforms• ICE Cubes (Europe) – modular experiment cubes onboard the ISS for commercial and institutional users.• Nanoracks (US, open to international users) – ISS payload integration, CubeSat deployments, and in-orbit experiment hosting.• JAXA Kibo Module (Japan, via Kibo-ABC) – opportunities for Asia-Pacific nations to conduct experiments on the ISS.• CASIS (US) – ISS National Laboratory managing experiments for research and applications.5. Commercial Stations (future orbital research platforms)• Axiom Space (US) – developing commercial space station modules with microgravity research capacity.• Voyager Space (US) – leading Starlab, a planned commercial station for research and technology demonstration.• VAST Space (US) – planning commercial space stations designed for human-tended research and experiments.Other international initiatives – several consortia are planning orbital commercial research stations to succeed the ISS.6. Education & Training Programmes (multi-platform access)• ESA Education Office – Fly Your Thesis!, Drop Your Thesis!, Orbit Your Thesis! initiatives with partner institutions.• APRSAF Kibo-ABC (Asia-Pacific) – JAXA-led programme enabling student and researcher access to ISS Kibo module.• UNOOSA / China – partnership offering developing nations opportunities to fly payloads on China’s Tiangong space station.Prerequisites: • Access to technical expertise in microgravity experiment design• International partnerships with agencies or commercial providers • Procurement pathway• Partner support as neededCost: • Ballpark: USD 10k–20k (clinostats / desktop simulators), USD 50k–200k (drop tower experiments, e.g., ZARM Bremen), USD 100k–500k (zero-g parabolic flights, e.g., Novespace, Zero-G Corp), USD 0.5M–2M (suborbital flights, e.g., Blue Origin New Shepard, Virgin Galactic research payloads), USD 1M–10M (ISS access via NASA, ESA, JAXA, ISS National Lab)• Includes: experiment design and preparation, integration and safety reviews, hardware procurement or adaptation, launch or facility access fees, data collection and analysis, researcher training and travelTimeframe:• Overall: 6–36 mo (depending on platform)• Phase: experiment design & review (3–6 mo), integration & preparation (3–12 mo), execution of experiment (days to weeks for drop tower/flight; months for ISS), data analysis & reporting (3–12 mo)Pros: • Innovation Enablement – Expands research opportunities through increased use of microgravity platforms, fostering scientific and technological innovation.• Cost Sharing – Reduces the financial burden of space research through collaboration with commercial initiatives and shared investment models.Considerations: • IP and Data Governance Complexity – Involves negotiating intellectual property rights, data access, and ownership agreements, which can be legally intricate and time-consuming across different platforms and partners.
Utilise platforms available for microgravity research (clinostats, zero-g flights, drop towers, suborbital, space stations)
Center of Applied Space Technology and Microgravity (ZARM) of Germany offers two key platforms for microgravity research. The ZARM Drop Tower provides up to 9.3 seconds of high-quality microgravity by dropping experiment capsules from a 146-meter shaft. In parallel, the GraviTower Bremen Pro, a next-generation system, enables high-frequency microgravity experiments of up to 2.5 seconds each and supports partial gravity environments (e.g., Moon, Mars). Together, these facilities support a wide range of scientific and industrial research applications.Prerequisites• Access to technical expertise in microgravity experiment design• International partnerships with agencies or commercial providers• Procurement pathway• Partner support as neededCost: • Ballpark: USD 10k–20k (clinostats / desktop simulators), USD 50k–200k (drop tower experiments, e.g., ZARM Bremen), USD 100k–500k (zero-g parabolic flights, USD 0.5M–2M (suborbital flights), USD 1M–10M (ISS access via space agency/ ISS National Lab)• Includes: experiment design and preparation, integration and safety reviews, hardware procurement or adaptation, launch or facility access fees, data collection and analysis, researcher training and travelTimeframe: • Overall: 6–36 mo (depending on platform)• Phase: experiment design & review (3–6 mo), integration & preparation (3–12 mo), execution of experiment (days to weeks for drop tower/flight; months for ISS), data analysis & reporting (3–12 mo)Pros: • Innovation Enablement – Expands research opportunities through increased use of microgravity platforms, fostering scientific and technological innovation.• Cost Sharing – Reduces the financial burden of space research through collaboration with commercial initiatives and shared investment models.Considerations: • IP and Data Governance Complexity – Involves negotiating intellectual property rights, data access, and ownership agreements, which can be legally intricate and time-consuming across different platforms and partners.
Germany
Utilise platforms available for microgravity research (clinostats, zero-g flights, drop towers, suborbital, space stations) - Germany
The SmartSat CRC is a collaborative research community of universities and other research organisations, partnered with industry that has been funded by the Australian Government.Prerequisites: • Identify relevant stakeholders the nation wants to involve• Build collaborative relationship with relevant stakeholders• Lead agency & budget• Procurement pathway• Partner support as neededCost: • Ballpark: USD 50k–500k (depending on scope and scale)• Includes: stakeholder mapping and outreach, establishment of a community platform (online hub, mailing lists, events calendar), organisation of regular workshops and conferences, seed funding for collaborative research projects, support for student and early-career researcher participation, communications and awareness campaignsTimeframe: • Overall: 12–24 mo• Phase: scoping & stakeholder mapping (3–6 mo), platform & governance setup (3–6 mo), launch of events and networking activities (6–12 mo), evaluation & reinforcement (3–6 mo)Pros: • Stakeholder Networking – Facilitates networking among diverse stakeholders to support research and development. • Supports Knowledge and Resource Sharing – Allows institutions to share data, facilities, funding opportunities, and best practices. • Supports Capacity Building – Helps mentor young researchers and connect them with senior experts.Considerations: • Coordination Challenges – Aligns the goals and interests of diverse stakeholders may be difficult and time-consuming. • Risk of Fragmentation – Fragmented community due unclear structure and leadership. • Operational Sustainability Challenge – Requires dedicated staff, funding, and regular events.
Australia
Create or reinforce the national community around space science and adjacent fields - Australia
The India Space Research Organisation (ISRO)'s UR Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) has partnered with private companies to assemble, integrate, and test satellites, highlighting ISRO's dedication to collaborating with the private sector to boost satellite capabilities and strengthen India's position in the global space industry.
India
Provide private entities with access to facilities and technical support - India
The Enabling Technologies Programme is a national funding programme providing opportunities to the UK space industry for emerging and innovative space technology research and development across the UK.Prerequisites:• Identify key stakeholders such as the government, industry, and academia, and build relationships with them.• Encourage involvement in the consortium.• National space policy/strategy with clear lead agency and budget line• Access to technical/business experts to support private entities applying for funding• Lead agency & budget• Procurement pathway• Partner support as neededCost: • Ballpark: USD 50k–250k (does not include cost for the fund)• Includes: partnership setup, fund design and governance, technical assistance, monitoring & evaluation, administrative support.Timeframe: • Overall: 24–48 mo• Phase: scoping & design (6–12 mo), pilot launch & initial funding (6–12 mo), expansion & multi-year funding cycles (12–24 mo)Pros: • Financial Burden Reduction – Reduce individual financial burdens, making large-scale projects more feasible.• Market Access – Provide access to new markets and opportunities through shared networks and partnerships within a consortium.Considerations: • Governance Challenge – Managing and coordinating multiple stakeholders with different objectives and priorities can be challenging and may require robust governance and operating structures.• Long R&D Timelines – Extended timelines for R&D projects can challenge organisations seeking quick returns on investment.
United Kingdom
Set up dedicated R&D funding mechanisms for prioritised space science research activities - UK
The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), the Australian government agency responsible for civilian space science research, offers a variety of projects with funding support to promote space science research for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) of all sizes. Examples of the programmes include assistance with project scoping and design, support at all stages of the collaboration process, and aid in grant application and utilization.Prerequisites:• Identify key stakeholders such as the government, industry, and academia, and build relationships with them.• Encourage involvement in the consortium.• National space policy/strategy with clear lead agency and budget line• Access to technical/business experts to support private entities applying for funding• Lead agency & budget• Procurement pathway• Partner support as neededCost:• Ballpark: USD 50k–250k (does not include cost for the fund)• Includes: partnership setup, fund design and governance, technical assistance, monitoring & evaluation, administrative support.Timeframe: • Overall: 24–48 mo• Phase: scoping & design (6–12 mo), pilot launch & initial funding (6–12 mo), expansion & multi-year funding cycles (12–24 mo)Pros:• Financial Burden Reduction – Reduces individual financial burdens, making large-scale projects more feasible.• Market Access – Provides access to new markets and opportunities through shared networks and partnerships within a consortium.Considerations:• Governance Challenge – Manages and coordinates multiple stakeholders with different objectives and priorities, which can be challenging and may require robust governance and operating structures.• Long R&D Timelines – Involves extended timelines for R&D projects, which can challenge organisations seeking quick returns on investment.
Australia
Set up dedicated R&D funding mechanisms for prioritised space science research activities - Australia
The Australia–New Zealand Collaborative Space Program funds research projects that help grow the space industries in both nations. Projects are chosen based on their potential to boost each nation’s space sector. The goal is to build scientific and technical skills that meet the needs of industry and users, while also addressing important environmental, economic, and social challenges in both nations.Prerequisites: • Identify and build relationships with international partners• Lead agency & budget• Procurement pathway• Partner support as neededCost: • Ballpark: USD 100K-1M• Includes: bilateral or multilateral agreements, joint research projects, calls for proposals and administrationTimeframe: • Overall: 24–48 mo• Phase: partnership setup (6–12 mo), projects implementation (12–30 mo), evaluation (6–6 mo)In the Australia–New Zealand Collaborative Space Program, 8 feasibility studies were funded with a fixed duration of 6 months. Selected studies then have up to 3 years to transition into longer-term Phase B collaborative research projects.Pros: • Financial Burden Reduction – Distributes project costs among nations, lowering the financial burden for each participant.Considerations: • Decision-Making Challenges - Complicates decision-making due to differing governance structures and strategic interests. • Goal Misalignment Risk – Reflects the potential for diverging priorities among participating nations, which may hinder unified project execution.
Australia, New Zealand
Co-fund science missions in collaboration with international partners - Australia and New Zealand
Two commercial providers (Boeing Australia and Exo Analytics) are collaborating to offer the Australian Government a fully operational Space Domain Awareness system, which is ready to deploy immediately and operated by a local Australian team. This system supports the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in monitoring critical space assets, providing command and control, and data analytics.Prerequisites: • Clear needs and internal use cases• Access to and capability to process SSA, STM, and Space Weather data, technologies, and applications data• Lead agency & budget• Procurement pathway• Partner support as neededCost: • Ballpark: USD 1–15M/yr (depending on volume, licensing, and type of data)• Includes: subscription or licensing of SSA/STM data (e.g., orbital positions, conjunction warnings, debris tracking), access to space weather services (solar activity, geomagnetic storm predictions), integration of data feeds into national systems, secure IT infrastructure for data reception, training for analysts and operators, and participation in data-sharing networksTimeframe: • Overall: 6–18 mo (to establish access and begin operations)• Phase: partner/provider selection & contracting (3–6 mo), IT and integration setup (3–6 mo), training and operationalisation (3–6 mo)Pros: • Improved Access to Information - Access to high quality tailored information and expertise rapidlyConsiderations: • Costly - Can become costly• Dependency - Reliant on external providers
Australia
Based on the capability assessment, use external data sources to monitor space environment - Australia
The European Union Space Surveillance and Tracking (EU SST) and the US Traffic Coordination System for Space (TraCSS) managed by the Office of Space Commerce, conducted a joint study in 2024 comparing their public space situational awareness (SSA) services. The study found strong alignment in core services such as in-orbit collision avoidance, risk assessment, and emergency event notifications. Key differences include TraCSS offering candidate maneuverer screening and anomaly reporting, while EU SST currently provides re-entry monitoring. Both systems aim to expand capabilities in areas like launch collision avoidance.Prerequisites: • Capabilities to conduct the assessment and analyse the results• Identify and build relationships with relevant ministries, local companies, and other stakeholders to gather comprehensive data on existing SSA, SST, and Space Weather data usage in the nationCost: • Ballpark: USD 10k–50k • Includes: literature review, stakeholder consultations, expert advisory, report drafting and validationNote: A complete study would range from USD 50k-250k and include multiple activities such as determining the relevance of the domain, identification of existing data sources, developing use cases, and a capability maturity assessment) Timeframe: • Overall: 6–12 mo• Phase: scoping (1–2 mo), consultation (2–4 mo), drafting (2–4 mo), validation (1–2 mo)Pros: • Improved Decision Making - Enables informed decision-making by identifying areas that require investment and improvement • Strategic Planning - Facilitates strategic planning by setting clear goals and prioritiesConsiderations: • Resource-Intensive - Conducting such assessment can be resource-intensive requiring significant time and expertise
Europe
Carry out a capability maturity assessment
The US National Space Traffic Management Policy highlights how critical access to space is for the nation and the necessity to preserve it through STM. As space becomes increasingly congested and contested, the policy highlights the need for a modernized STM framework to ensure the safety, stability, and sustainability of space operations. The US recognize that without effective traffic management, the growing number of satellites and debris could threaten both current and future space activities.Prerequisites: • Institutional & political interest and support for utilising STM technologies and applications for services • Understand national policies and identify national policies that utilise STM technologies and applications• Identify and build relationships with relevant ministries, local companies, and other stakeholders to gather comprehensive data on existing STM technologies and applications usage in the nation• Inter-ministerial working group• Partner support as neededCost: • Ballpark: USD 10k–20k • Includes: literature review, stakeholder consultations, expert advisory, report drafting and validationNote: A complete study would range from USD 50k-250k and include multiple activities such as determining the relevance of the domain, identification of existing data sources, developing use cases, and a capability maturity assessment) Timeframe: • Overall: 6–12 mo• Phase: scoping (1–2 mo), consultation (2–4 mo), drafting (2–4 mo), validation (1–2 mo)Pros: • Consistency - Ensures policy consistency and facilitates government support. • Resource Efficiency - Allows for efficient resource utilisation, maximizing the impact of investments. Considerations: • Articulation - May require collaboration with a variety of stakeholders, including government agencies, industry leaders, and academic institutions.
USA
Determine the extent to which this domain is relevant to your national priorities/needs - US
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) established an initiative "Debris Free Space Missions (DFSM) 2030".This initiative aims to achieve debris-free space missions by all Indian space actors, governmental and non-governmental by 2030. India also encourages all other state space actors to follow this initiative for the long-term sustainability of Outer Space.Prerequisites: • Institutional & political interest and support for utilising SSA, STM, and Space Weather data, technologies, and applications• Understand national policies and identify national policies that utilise SSA, STM, and Space Weather data, technologies, and applications• Identify and build relationships with stakeholders involved in policy implementation• Access to SSA, STM, and Space Weather data, data processing and analysis capabilities• Inter-ministerial working group• Partner support as neededCost: • Ballpark: USD 100k–500k• Includes: stakeholder mapping across government, military, academia, and industry; establishment of a national coordination office or committee; drafting of shared objectives and roadmaps (e.g., debris mitigation, responsible operations, space weather resilience); workshops and consultations; development of reporting mechanisms and national guidelines; participation in international best practice initiativesTimeframe: • Overall: 12–24 mo• Phase: scoping & stakeholder mapping (3–6 mo), establishment of coordination body (3–6 mo), drafting of national roadmap and guidelines (6–9 mo), validation and adoption (3–6 mo)Pros: • Simplification - Streamlines efforts of various space actors, both governmental and non-governmental. Safety - Aims to achieve safer, debris-free space missions. Strategy • Cohesion - Establishes a cohesive strategy for SSA/STM/Space Weather activities.Considerations: • Articulation - Aligning with multiple stakeholders can lead to complex coordination efforts as they have different priorities.
India
Establish a coordination programme for SSA/STM/Space Weather activities - India

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