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Paris, 1 April 2003
Press Release
Nx 22-2003

New opportunities for business in space - ESA commercialisation and
technology transfer at Hanover Fair 2003

Part 1 of 2

At the Hanover Fair 2003, ESA will present the wide range of
opportunities for commercial utilisation and technology transfer
created by Europe's involvement in space. Exhibits will display the
many technologies that are now available for commercial use on Earth
and present the new opportunities for business on board the
International Space Station. 

Technology Transfer 

The ESA/MST Technology Transfer Programme stand (Hall 18, Stand A11,
Ground Floor) will present a series of technologies developed for
space which are now ready for use on Earth. Over the past 35 years,
the European space industry has gained considerable expertise in
overcoming a hostile environment, which has led to the development of
many valuable new technologies.

Groundbreaking European space technologies are becoming increasingly
available for development and licensing to the non-space industry
through the process of technology transfer. Examples of such transfer
technologies on display include a ceramic sensor controlling the
emission of oxidable gases from home heaters, a piezoelectric film
sensor that can accurately detect impacts in cars, cheaper and
smarter mechanisms for gear boxes, a mobile satellite navigation and
communication safety emergency system, virtual reality 'glasses' for
mobile computing systems and 3D-presentations.

"Since 1991, more than 160 transfers have generated EUR 25 million in
turnover for European space companies and EUR 270 million for the
non-space industries involved," says Pierre Brisson, head of ESA's
Technology Transfer Programme. This programme has already created or
saved 2500 jobs and led to the establishment of 30 new companies.

"Our experience shows that the use of innovative technologies
produced for European space programmes can improve our day-to-day
life on Earth - often the only limits on their exploitation are those
of our imagination," Brisson points out.

ESA is strengthening European industry by developing a scheme to
boost entrepreneurship through a network of pan-European business
incubation centres (ESINET). The aim is to encourage and accelerate
the creation of start-up companies through the transfer of space
technologies to other sectors and create new businesses. More
information on ESINET can be obtained at the ESA/MST Technology
Transfer Stand A11 in Hall 18. For further information on the ESA/MST
Technology Transfer Programme stand at the Hanover Fair, please
contact:

Mr Fritz Gampe
Deputy Head of Technology Transfer and Promotion Officer
ESA/ESTEC
Tel: +31(0)71.565.4636
Fax: +31(0)71.565.6635

Business and benefit from space

ESA's Business and Benefit from Space exhibit (Hall 18, Stand E18,
Ground Floor) will showcase the many commercial opportunities that
the International Space Station provides to European industrial and
investment communities.

The overall motivation for commercialisation of the International
Space Station (ISS) is to foster the economic development and
exploitation of space, by stimulating research in space and
supporting innovative uses of the ISS. The research facilities aboard
the Station, together with regular access and the possibility for
continual use, offer an unprecedented opportunity for industry to
conduct its own research and development in weightlessness, and the
image of the Station presents new avenues for marketing.

The possibility of commercial access to the International Space
Station for the purposes of private research, sponsorship and
education has been built up between public and private Space Station
partners over recent years. The outcome of commercial initiatives
resulting from this partnership will be presented at the Fair and
visitors can find out how they can share in the exciting commercial
possibilities that the Space Station offers. A number of invited
speakers will give talks on the opportunities currently available for
doing business in space. 

"The International Space Station has brought important technological
advances and offers exciting commercial opportunities for Europe,"
says Jörg Feustel-Büechl, ESA's Director of Human Spaceflight, "in
doing so, it is bringing about economic development for the benefit
of life here on Earth".

For further information on the commercial opportunities that the
International Space Station provides to European industrial and
investment communities, please contact:

Maurizio Belingheri
Head of ISS Commercial Promotion Office
Directorate of Human Spaceflight
ESA/ESTEC
Tel: +33(0)71.565.5068
Fax: +33(0)71.565.5232
e-mail : maurizio.belingheri{at}esa.int,iss.commercial{at}esa.int

Both the Technology Transfer and Business and Benefit from Space
exhibits will be open from Monday 7 to Friday 11 April between 9:00
and 18:00 hrs. and on Saturday 12 April from 9:00 to 16:00 hrs.

ESA invites members of the media to attend the press talks to be held
on Wednesday 9 April from 11.00 to 12.00 hrs. and 15.00 to 16.00 hrs.
Further details can be found in the programme attached. Those
interested in attending are kindly requested to complete the
registration form and fax it back to ESA.

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