SPACE: ESA HELPS SMALL FIRMS GET STARTED IN SATELLITE TELECOMMUNICATIONS.

The projects involve the creative use of existing satellite technologies to provide new services in the realms of the Internet, multimedia, navigation or mobile phones, for example, or involve new systems and technologies calculated to facilitate or improve existing services. The companies selected to take advantage of this initiative will be offered a chance to participate in a programme under which they can develop and refine their new concepts to a level of technical and commercial viability sufficient to be able to seek commercial funding. For example, ESA support could take the following form:- financial support up to Euro 300,000;- access to ESA satellite telecommunications experience and capabilities; and- the possibility of establishing links with industry.The ESA Telecommunications Department is responsible for co-ordinating the work, development and support of innovation in the field of satellite communications. It ensures that the member countries remain competitive on the global satellite communications market by providing a central core for research and development activities.The ESA Telecommunications Department also plays a role as investor by supporting the development of new satellite systems and technologies for future services.For Claudio Mastracci, ESA Director of Applications, "This new initiative by the ESA Telecommunications Department appeals directly to...