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Category: Incubed

Eight new Earth observation-based wildfire applications co-funded by ESA InCubed

Posted on by mavelar

As the result of the latest joint co-funding call launched by ESA InCubed and the Spanish Space Agency, eight new Earth observation projects have kicked off in 2026. These initiatives will enable risk anticipation, enhance early detection and optimise action in critical situations, contributing to saving lives, protecting infrastructure and preserving natural heritage.

Wildfires are moving from being seasonal threats to some of the most destructive and unpredictable natural phenomena. Driven by heatwaves, prolonged droughts and shifting weather patterns, wildfires are growing in both frequency and intensity.

In light of the devastating wildfires that have recently ravaged Spain’s territory, communities and ecosystems, the urgency to increase prevention, detection and response capabilities has never been more critical. As a direct response, ESA InCubed and the Spanish Space Agency (AEE) launched a call in 2025 to fund and accelerate Earth observation applications that span the entire wildfire management cycle.

Eight new initiatives signed a contract with ESA InCubed and kicked off in July 2026, being awarded a total of € 3 million:

  • FIREAI-OPS — Intelligent Wildfire Operations through AI and Earth Observation

    Emergency agencies lack real-time data assimilation and interoperability across Earth observation, airborne and terrestrial sources, limiting their ability to anticipate fire evolution and coordinate appropriate responses.

    Implemented by GEOAI Analytics, Multiverse Computing and CATEC, FIREAI-OPS is an initiative that addresses the lack of integrated, rapidly updated information available to emergency teams managing fast-moving wildfires.

    The activity aims to combine multi-source Earth observation data, artificial intelligence (AI) and physics-based fire modelling within a common operational environment, helping authorities anticipate fire evolution, coordinate observations and strengthen situational awareness during emergency operations. 

    • FIREWISE — Foundation Models for Reliable Wildfire Intelligence on Board Satellites

      Wildfire alerts can be delayed by satellite downlinks and ground-processing loops, while narrow AI models (artificial intelligence systems designed to perform one specific task) may not remain reliable as sensors and environmental conditions change.

      FIREWISE is an activity that addresses delays created when satellite imagery is first transmitted and processed on the ground, as well as the challenge of maintaining reliable AI performance under changing observation conditions.

      Led by the ARQUIMEA Research Centre, FIREWISE aims to develop a software framework for adapting and operating Earth observation foundation models onboard satellites, enabling faster wildfire alerts with uncertainty information to support confidence in their use. 

      • EO4PYRO — Earth Observation for Predictive Wildfire Risk and Resilience Operations

      Authorities and infrastructure operators rely on fragmented, static and poorly interoperable information that constrains prevention, predictive risk assessment and post-fire impact evaluation.

      Headed by Centro de Observación y Teledetección Espacial, S.A.U. (COTESA), in a consortium with Hisdesat, Universidad de Alicante and IMIB-CSIC of Universidad de Oviedo, EO4PYRO focuses on the fragmented and often outdated information used for wildfire prevention, operational planning and post-fire assessment.

      EO4PYRO aims to integrate multi-source Earth observation data, AI, enhanced-resolution products and digital-twin capabilities in a cloud platform that supports risk assessment, vegetation monitoring, fire-behaviour analysis and evaluation of environmental impacts after an event. 

      • FirEOcast — FIRE weather instability and fuel estimation by Earth Observation for improved fire danger foreCASTing

      Conventional fire-danger indices depend largely on meteorological variables and insufficiently represent atmospheric instability, fuel properties and fuel-moisture conditions.

      FirEOcast is a fire-danger service that aims to combine satellite-derived fuel information with meteorological modelling to deliver more dynamic and spatially detailed wildfire-danger information for prevention, preparedness and operational planning. 

      This initiative is led by isardSAT, with Universidad de Alcalá and MeteoGRID.

      • Deeper Vision Self-Trained AI (DVSTAI) — Thermal Infrared extension

      Ready-to-use platforms for locally configurable wildfire-risk prediction and monitoring of high-impact areas are limited, while multi-source processing can be computationally demanding and complex.

      Thales Alenia Space España S.A. is leading an extension of the DVSTAI cloud service that includes multispectral and thermal-infrared support, semantic-segmentation models, scheduled monitoring, risk alerts and potential-impact mapping.

      This extension addresses the limited availability of configurable operational tools that can transform recent satellite observations into detailed wildfire-risk and potential-impact information at local and regional scales.

      • PiroSAR — Fire-Front Detection and Evolution Monitoring (F2DEM) Service

      During major wildfires, smoke, cloud, darkness and operational restrictions can prevent optical, thermal and airborne systems from providing timely and reliable information on the active front and its evolution.

      Telespazio Ibérica S.L.U. is developing PiroSAR, a project that aims to use imagery from multiple Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite constellations to provide all-weather, day-and-night information on active fire fronts, perimeter changes and fire evolution, supporting more informed tactical decisions by emergency management authorities. 

      • Horizon Wildfire Insights (HWI)

      Wildfire information from satellites, aerial systems and field reports is fragmented, preventing a unified operational picture and slowing anticipation, response and recovery decisions.

      Led by Airbus Secure Communications, S.A.U., Airbus GeoTech, Vexiza and B2Space, Horizon Wildfire Insights (HWI) addresses the fragmentation of satellite observations, aerial information, field reports and operational communications, which can leave emergency teams without a shared and timely picture of an evolving wildfire.

      HWI integrates Earth observation data, critical communications and intelligent analytical capabilities within a unified environment, supporting risk anticipation, active-fire monitoring, coordinated decision-making and assessment of affected areas across the wildfire-management lifecycle.

      • FireTwin — Operational Wildfire-Risk Forecasting

      Decision makers receive fragmented, static and outdated information that does not adequately capture changing vegetation condition, fuel moisture or evolving wildfire risk.

      FireTwin is an initiative being developed by Agresta Sociedad Cooperativa that aims to combine multi-sensor Earth observation and meteorological data through AI-enhanced models, producing regularly updated wildfire-risk information and developing short-term forecasting capabilities to help users identify critical areas, plan preventive action and allocate resources more effectively.

      Carlos Urbina Ortega, End-to-end System Engineer at ESA Φ-lab Invest Office and InCubed Officer for the management of this national campaign in Spain, commented: “Wildfires are becoming faster and more dangerous, threatening lives, homes and ecosystems. Through this InCubed call with the Spanish Space Agency, we are turning satellite data into real-world tools for every stage of a fire. These eight new applications will give emergency teams the exact information they need to react quicker, manage crises better and ultimately save lives and protect nature.”

      Learn more: ESA InCubed, Spanish Space Agency (AEE)

      Header: this image from Copernicus Sentinel-3, captured on 17 August 2025, is a wide view of France, Spain and Portugal and is dominated by smoke billowing from fires in the northern part of the Iberian Peninsula. Contains Copernicus Sentinel data (2025), processed by ESA.

      ESA and UKSA launch a new InCubed call for the United Kingdom

      Posted on by mavelar

      Building on the success of previous InCubed calls, the European Space Agency is launching a new call for proposals, in collaboration with the UK Space Agency, through the ESA InCubed programme. The deadline for applications is 21 August 2026.

      The European Space Agency (ESA) and the UK Space Agency (UKSA) have witnessed the success of its joint 2024 InCubed call: more than £ 2.5 million were awarded to five innovative projects that use satellite data to improve public services, ranging from infrastructure monitoring and tracking methane emissions to supporting sustainable land management and safeguarding biodiversity.

      In 2026, ESA and UKSA join efforts again for a new round of applications. UK-based organisations are invited to submit proposals that demonstrate a clear route to market, credible commercial demand and a strong plan for operational deployment.

      Consortia are also encouraged to apply, including non-UK organisations that are supported by relevant national UK agencies or self-funded. Academic and/or research institutions are also welcome to apply, as long as they are part of an industry-led consortium and have no commercial interest in the product.

      Activities across the entire Earth observation value chain will be considered, including space segment, ground segment and data applications. They may align with either a de-risking cycle, supporting earlier-stage developments, or a product development cycle, supporting more mature activities that aim to deliver a commercially viable product or service.

      This call will support projects that are expected to last up to 18 months, with funding levels ranging from €300,000 to €4 million, depending on the scope and maturity of the activity. ESA’s support will be provided on a co-funding basis with up to 80% co-funding for SMEs and down to 50% for non-SMEs, which will once more depend on the activity’s risk and maturity.

      The process application consists of two stages: for the first stage, applicants need to submit an idea pitch, or outline proposal, via ESA’s ORBIT platform. ESA and UKSA will jointly assess submissions and invite selected applicants to a pitch session. For the second stage, those selected applicants will either submit the second part of their proposal through ORBIT or be told they were not successful. ESA will evaluate the proposals according to the InCubed criteria and UKSA will determine if a national delegate authorisation of funding can be provided.

      Proposals that show a clear path to commercialisation and demonstrate evidence of customer engagement will be preferred. The total funding amount is up to € 7.26 million and the deadline for applications is 21 August 2026.

      Michele Castorina, Head of the ESA Φ-lab Invest Office and InCubed Programme manager, commented: “Earth observation is undergoing a profound paradigm shift driven by rapid commercialisation and advanced technologies. This new 2026 InCubed call, delivered in partnership with the UK Space Agency, is essential for bridging the gap between innovative engineering and commercial market success. By focusing on de-risking and validation of real customer demands, call such as this one ensure that British and European space enterprises don’t just build remarkable technology, but can successfully establish world-leading, economically sustainable market positions.”

      Beth Greenaway, Head of Earth Observation Delivery at the UK Space Agency, said: “This call provides an exciting opportunity for UK organisations to turn innovative Earth observation ideas into commercially viable products and services. Through our continued partnership with ESA, InCubed helps businesses de-risk development, engage customers and accelerate their route to market, strengthening the UK’s position as a global leader in Earth observation.” 

      More information about this InCubed call can be found on the UK Government website.

      To know more: InCubed, UK Government website

      Photo courtesy of ESA

      ESA InCubed Ambassador Italy annual event in Rome highlights cross-sector collaboration for Earth observation innovation

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      The European Space Agency (ESA), through its InCubed Ambassador for Italy powered by STAM, brought together key stakeholders in Rome for the annual event “Co-create. Connect. Innovate. – Shaping new project ideas between space & non-space industries”.

      The event aimed to foster collaboration between Earth observation (EO) actors and non-space sectors, supporting the development of commercially viable solutions by aligning technological capabilities with market needs and industrial challenges.

      InCubed stands for ‘Investing in Industrial Innovation’ and is an ESA co-funding programme, managed by Φ-lab, that supports the development of innovative and commercially viable EO products and services, with the objective of accelerating their path to market. In this context, the ESA InCubed Ambassador Italy initiative, powered by STAM, promotes access to the programme and supports companies, research centres and startups in identifying opportunities, shaping business cases, and preparing high-impact proposals.

      Read the full article on www.commercialisation.esa.int.

      Photo courtesy of STAM.

      Discover detailed thermal data from constellr

      Posted on by mavelar

      As part of an announcement of opportunity, SkyBee data products are being disseminated to researchers for use in scientific and pre-operational development studies, following the approval of a Project Proposal by ESA and constellr. Thermal insights from constellr’s SkyBee satellites are set to support innovative research into urban heat mapping, drought assessment, environmental monitoring, and much more.

      The current announcement of opportunity forms part of an extended and successful collaboration between ESA and constellr. In 2022, the company received backing from the ESA InCubed programme, which supports companies through co-funding, as well as technical, industrial, and business development mentoring. Shortly after, the company was announced as an emerging Copernicus Contributing Mission in 2023 and secured further backing from a number of investors.

      Read the full article on www.earth.esa.int.

      Photo courtesy of constellr.

      OroraTech’s journey from start-up to Copernicus data provider

      Posted on by mavelar

      Since joining ESA’s European Emerging Copernicus Contributing Missions (CCM) activity in June 2023, OroraTech has grown from a space start-up to a leading supplier of thermal sensing data and predictive wildfire solutions.

      The Munich-based company now operates a growing constellation of thermal-sensing spacecraft and recently reached a significant milestone – participating in a hands-on workshop directly with the Copernicus Emergency Management Service (CEMS).

      OroraTech’s relationship with ESA began through the ESA BIC Bavaria and ESA Kick-Start incubation programmes. This was followed in 2022 by co-funding from ESA’s InCubed programme for the development of FOREST-3 – the company’s first fully internally developed spacecraft, which launched in January 2025.

      Read the full article on www.rapidresponse.copernicus.eu.

      Photo courtesy of Unsplash/Mike Newbry.

      Earth observation community spotlight: Saturnalia

      Posted on by mavelar

      In this article, we speak with Gianni Iannelli, Chief Executive of Saturnalia, about the challenges facing agriculture, the importance of Earth observation in crop monitoring and risk assessment, and how data provided through the TPM programme are helping Saturnalia achieve its aims.

      Italy-based Saturnalia is a geospatial intelligence company that harnesses the power of Earth observation data to improve decision-making and risk management in agriculture. The company offers an easy-to-use platform that is used by farmers and agriculture insurers to better protect crops, assess exposure, and enhance productivity.

      Saturnalia works with data from ESA’s Third Party Missions (TPM) programme, which disseminates data from commercial and institutional partners to European businesses participating in ESA incubation activities or developing pre-commercial applications.

      Saturnalia gained access to these datasets through an ESA InCubed project, which was instrumental in enabling the development of our AI-driven processing pipeline. As part of this work, we integrated data provided by ESA TPM to prove the feasibility of the solution without incurring prohibitive upfront costs.

      Read the full article on www.earth.esa.int.

      Photo courtesy of Unsplash/Ant Rozetsky

      Join us for the 2026 ESA EO Commercialisation Forum

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      Held in Seville (Spain) from 12 to 14 May 2026, the 3rd ESA Earth Observation Commercialisation Forum will give attendees the opportunity to meet institutions, industry leaders, start-ups, investors, users and entrepreneurs, and connect with potential partners while staying ahead of key Earth observation market trends and challenges.

      The 3rd ESA Earth Observation Commercialisation Forum (ESA CommEO) will take place from 12 to 14 May 2026 at the prestigious Hotel Meliá Lebreros (Seville, Spain). Organised by ESA Φ-lab and supported by the Spanish Space Agency, the event will bring together the global Earth observation ecosystem for three days of insight, innovation, and high-level networking.

      This years’ edition is focused on the latest trends arising in the Earth observation commercial market, featuring an engaging programme that includes keynote speeches, panel discussions, exhibitor booths, and curated matchmaking opportunities designed to foster new partnerships and boost commercial growth within the Earth observation sector.

      The programme is divided into three key axes – ‘Strategy, Finance & Market Dynamics’, ‘Earth Intelligence, AI & Commercial Adoption’ and ‘Key Verticals & Future Capabilities’, creating a well-rounded experience that caters to diverse interests, expertise levels and strategic priorities.

      For the first time, the event will offer dedicated sponsorship opportunities, giving organisations the chance to strengthen relationships with end users, institutions, entrepreneurs, and investors. Sponsors will also be able to generate qualified leads by connecting directly with key stakeholders who are actively shaping the future of Earth observation commercialisation.

      The event will also feature various parallel sessions, from matchmaking with investors and exploring commercial opportunities in Africa, to supporting New Space companies and exploring Copernicus Contributing Missions.

      While the event has a strong focus on commercialisation, it also supports innovation. The top three finalists of the ESA Φ-lab Grand Marathon will pitch their Earth observation-based solutions aimed at protecting civilians in disaster and public-safety contexts.

      For the third year, ESA CommEO will give start-ups the opportunity to compete for the CommEO Award. Powered by ESA and Creative Destruction Lab (CDL-Milan), the 3rd ESA CommEO Award is designed for ambitious, early-stage startups looking to anchor their technical innovation in a robust commercial strategy. Prizes include a guaranteed interview for the Creative Destruction Lab’s Global CDL Space Programme, a € 25.000 voucher for ESA Third Party Missions (TPM) data, a € 10.000 voucher for OVHcloud’s cloud computing services, and a free admission to this event.

      A great event goes beyond keynote speeches and panel discussions: attendees will have the opportunity to network during the event’s Gala Dinner and wander through the Seville’s grand plazas during the event’s social activity.

      More information about the event and registrations is available on the ESA CommEO website.

      To know more: ESA CommEO, ESA Φ-lab, Spanish Space Agency, Creative Destruction Lab (CDL-Milan)

      Photo courtesy of ESA

      A new training explored AI in Earth observation

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      From 8 to 11 December, ESA Academy’s Training and Learning Facility in Belgium hosted the pilot edition of the Disruptive Innovation and Commercialisation in Earth Observation Training Course. Organised in collaboration with ESA Φ-lab, this first edition brought together 30 Master’s and PhD students from 16 different nationalities, creating a vibrant and diverse learning environment.

      One of the aspects that made this course unique was its dual focus. Participants were trained not only in Artificial Intelligence (AI) applied to Earth observation, but also in the business and commercialisation strategies necessary to turn innovative ideas into viable ventures. This combination of technical and entrepreneurial skills was designed to push students beyond traditional academic boundaries.

      “The unique combination of AI, business and Earth observation made it truly one of a kind,” said one student. “Collaborating with motivated participants and learning from the ESA Academy and Φ-lab experts pushed me to think beyond disciplines.”

      Read the full article on www.esa.int.

      New ESA-GEOSAT deal to empower space solutions

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      ESA and GEOSAT have formalised their commitment to strengthening the space industry by signing a Letter of Intent, promoting entrepreneurship and advancing the development of innovative space solutions.

      The latest company joining the portfolio of ESA’s Partnership Initiative for Commercialisation (EPIC) is the Portuguese company GEOSAT, one of Europe’s leading providers in Earth Observation (EO) satellite imagery and data analytics. GEOSAT provides very-high resolution (VHR) optical satellite data in Europe, being certified as a DPS Category 2 Provider (European Earth Observation Established Data Suppliers) and developing innovative EO products and services.

      This partnership with GEOSAT will benefit companies supported by ESA Φ-lab, the InCubed Earth Observation commercialisation programme, ESA Phi-LabNET, ESA Business Incubation Centres (ESA BICs) and ESA Technology Brokers, operating under the broader ESA EPIC framework.

      As an outcome of this Letter of Intent, GEOSAT will provide VHR data to ESA-supported start-ups, so they can test, validate and improve their services, along with technical mentorship and expertise, and joint outreach and networking activities to foster new opportunities and raise awareness about the societal value of Earth observation technologies. Further information on the collaboration and how to take advantage of the services provided by GEOSAT is now available here.

      “By working with GEOSAT and opening access to their Earth observation constellation, we are allowing an easier access to data in order to improve solutions, in areas such as environmental monitoring, agriculture, infrastructure management, and maritime surveillance,” commented Michele Castorina, Head of the ESA Φ-lab Invest Office. “This collaboration not only benefits entrepreneurs and businesses across several sectors but also reinforces Europe’s competitiveness in the global space economy.”

      To know more: GEOSAT, ESA Φ-lab, InCubed, ESA Phi-LabNET, ESA Business Incubation Centres, ESA Technology Brokers, EPIC

      Photo courtesy of ESA

      Four new initiatives to boost Spain’s Earth observation sector

      Posted on by mavelar

      As the result of an ESA-dedicated commercialisation campaign for Spain, the InCubed Programme signed four new contracts with IVSEN, HAPSEYE, CrossBandInsights, and DVSTAI. From energy infrastructure monitoring to security and geospatial object detection, these projects reflect the growing impact of Earth observation data across key sectors.

      Following the success of the last dedicated call for Spain, four initiatives signed a contract with the ESA InCubed programme. This call, launched in collaboration with the Spanish Space Agency (AEE), offered different levels of co-funding to develop innovative and commercially viable Earth observation products and services, while benefitting from the European Space Agency’s technical, commercial and financial guidance.

      IVSEN is an advanced satellite-based monitoring solution tailored for energy infrastructure operators. It integrates a very-high-resolution payload (< 50 cm) with reduced mass and volume, along with agile observation modes for flexible operations. An on-board pre-processing algorithm works in tandem with the ground-based processing chain to generate specialised data products and analytics. This project is being developed by a consortium – SATLANTIS, Alén Space, DHV Technology, and GeoAI – with direct contributions from users such as Iberdrola to ensure the system meets real operational needs.

      “IVSEN represents a strategic milestone for SATLANTIS, as it strengthens our capabilities in very high-resolution Earth observation — a core technology for the company’s future. We are grateful to ESA for their trust and support in driving this project forward, and for enabling us to deliver an agile solution that will help energy operators and other users monitor and safeguard their critical infrastructures,” stated Juan Tomas Hernani, CEO of SATLANTIS.

      ICEYE delivers synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data worldwide through its fleet of satellites, supporting applications such as land use monitoring, border surveillance and environmental monitoring. To expand this capability, the company is developing HAPSEYE, a solar-powered, fixed-wing aircraft designed to operate at altitudes above 20 km for extended periods.

      Equipped with a SAR payload, HAPSEYE will complement ICEYE’s satellite constellation by providing persistent, high-resolution imaging that overcomes current limitations in coverage and resolution. This next-generation platform will improve disaster response, security and environmental monitoring. The activity is planned to begin after the test campaign of HAPS Prototype-1, scheduled for late 2025.

      “As a pioneer in SAR imaging radar satellite innovation, we are delighted to have been chosen for ESA’s InCubed programme in Spain. Initiatives like this are crucial for accelerating technological advancement and strengthening European competitiveness in the Earth Observation sector – objectives that resonate strongly with our mission at ICEYE. This commitment is underlined by the high-altitude platform station project we are taking on as part of the programme, designed to aid European natural disaster response and Earth Observation capabilities,” stated Lauri Väin, VP of High-Altitude Platforms at ICEYE.

      TRE ALTAMIRA delivers satellite radar (SAR) displacement measurements and mapping solutions for sectors such as civil engineering, mining, oil, and gas. Its product, CrossBandInsights, enhances current single-frequency band interferometric SAR (InSAR) products, by combining X- and C-band observations with higher spatial and temporal observations to improve ground movement monitoring. This allows for engineering firms and authorities to detect subtle changes, supporting smarter infrastructure maintenance decisions and strengthening risk management with enhanced spatial and temporal coverage.

      “InCubed Spain has given us the unique opportunity to turn our vision into a concrete product that will bring tangible benefits to the Earth observation market. CrossBandInsights addresses a critical need by merging multi-mission C-band and X-band InSAR data to provide more accurate and timely insights on ground deformation,” commented Roberto Montalti, Project Manager at TRE ALTAMIRA.  

      “This innovation will support civil engineering companies and public authorities in ensuring infrastructure safety and resilience. We see this project as a clear example of how public funding can be effectively invested to foster innovation, create market-ready solutions, and strengthen Europe’s position in the space sector,” Roberto added.

      Thales Alenia Space, a global leader in space manufacturing, has been delivering advanced solutions in telecommunications, navigation, Earth observation, environmental management, science and orbital infrastructures for over 40 years. Among its innovations is DVSTAI (Deeper Vision Self-Trained AI), an evolution of the SatHound project, designed to overcome the limitations of current geospatial object detection methods: traditional approaches often require expert intervention for model design, training, and deployment, making the process slow, costly, and vulnerable to risks such as unauthorised access or data leakage.

      DVSTAI addresses these challenges by leveraging deep learning techniques, allowing even non-AI or non-Earth observation specialists to autonomously train and use models through a user-friendly software solution. These models can be tailored to specific applications, including object detection, change detection, and semantic segmentation.

      “DVSTAI is a user-centric AI solution that empowers non-technical users to autonomously create, train, and deploy AI models for object detection and vision tasks over satellite imagery. It simplifies the process, reduces costs, and enhances security by eliminating the need for dedicated AI engineers to develop high performing vision models, making it an invaluable tool for EO analysts and service providers,” commented Julian Cobos, Product Line Manager at Thales Alenia Space Spain.

      “Thanks to the ESA InCubed programme, Thales Alenia Space will develop new key capabilities for object detection in Very High Resolution (VHR) and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data and bring DVSTAI solution to the public Cloud in a Software as a Service (SaaS) model, making it accessible for any user to set-up object detection campaigns over open and commercial data sources,” Julian added.

      To know more: ESA InCubed, Spanish Space Agency (AEE)

      Photo courtesy of Unsplash/Chris Boland