ESA TDE/GSTP: Funding for impactful early innovation from development to deployment
know.space completed 4 case studies and infographics showcasing the economic, societal and strategic benefits across Member States of technology development activities as part of the European Space Agency’s TDE and GSTP initiatives.
A series of case studies for the European Space Agency.
Through initiatives like Discovery, the Technology Development Element (TDE), and the General Support Technology Programme (GSTP), ESA bridges the gap between early ideas and mission/market-ready technologies. These initiatives stimulate innovation, create incentive for further investment and facilitate the development and access to R&D facilities.
Building on our previous work showcasing success stories from ESA’s Discovery and FutureEO programmes, know.space developed four case studies for the ESA examining the socio-economic impacts of technology development activities under TDE and GSTP. These studies explore how investments in early-stage technologies not only contribute to European space capabilities but also deliver economic, societal, and strategic benefits across Member States. Each case study provides a detailed analysis of the pathways through which ESA’s technology development activities generate value beyond the space sector.
Case study reports for four selected TDE/GSTP projects have been finalised and are available on ESA Space Economy website library, which can be accessed using the ‘Learn more’ button, below. Alternatively, follow the links below to access the case studies and infographics directly.
Flexibility and miniaturisation of space electronics (France, Germany, & Spain) [Case Study / Infographic]
Mitigating interferences (Germany & Denmark) [Case Study / Infographic]
Miniaturisation of power (France) [Case Study / Infographic]
Innovative Propulsion for CubeSats (Austria, Italy, UK, France, & Finland) [Case Study / Infographics]