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SME4SPACE COVID-19 Information section

In order to help European Space SMEs in this very complex and hard situation, SME4SPACE decided to open the present section.

In this section, all the support measures and initiatives in favour of European Space SMEs from ESA, EC and Member States are listed and/or described, with also a brief report of the survey conducted by SME4SPACE on urgent actions/needs and concerns of European Space SMEs.

Moreover, you can find below direct links to the relative COVID-19 sections of SME4SPACE Working Members.

SME4SPACE first results and propositions from COVID-19 survey proposed to ESA, European Commission and relative Member States

Hereafter, SME4SPACE presents a summary of the results of a rapid survey on urgent actions/needs and concerns of the European Space SMEs.
The survey was conducted from 20 to 24 March 2020.
The survey was distributed to all SME4SPACE Members and to our broader mailing list and also posted on SME4SPACE website as well as on LinkedIn and Twitter.

The survey was distributed to all SME4SPACE Members and to our broader mailing list and also posted on SME4SPACE website as well as on LinkedIn and Twitter.

The survey received 113 replies from 18 European (both ESA and EC Member States) Countries with also Canada.

Among the major problems that European Space SMEs are facing, we find:

  1. Cash flow constrain
  2. Workforce availability
  3. Supply problem

Among the proposed urgent actions, we highlight:

  • Advance payment increasing (even at milestone level and after the project start)
  • Flexibility
    • stick on the schedule vs postponement of deadlines/milestones (without any eventual penalty)
    • To extend projects duration in order to complete the activity
    • Enable CCNs in ESA projects related to additional costs caused by the current situation
    • Anticipate payments, review Milestone Payments Plans, fractionating milestones
    • Neutralization of contractual penalties
  • Financial support:
    • Space Dedicated Venture Capital
    • Short term loans and R&D grants;
    • give SME access to credits
    • Enable full tax deduction for capital increase by current shareholder(s)
    • Intervention of Government and European Institution in support to SME in term of Funds.
    • Funding support to maintain economic viability
    • Financial support to help start-ups/SME’s cover staff costs following contract cancellation and delayed investments.
    • EC to keep level of budget allowed to Space for next years. Decisions have been taken based on this. A reduction of the budget allowed would be a disaster for our business.
    • ESA and EC can easily release payments on already implemented grants / contracts / project milestones early

Download the full presentation with the results of our survey

SME4SPACE link to COVID-19 survey

ESA and European Commission measures

We have just sent to ESA and European Commission the results of our survey and we expect that these will be taken in consideration.

For the time beeing, the following measures have been already adopted:

SME4SPACE Working Members’ COVID-19 sections

Aerospace-Valley COVID-19 Section (in French)

AIPAS COVID-19 Section (in Italian)

COVID-19 Madrid Aerospace Cluster Section (in Spanish)

UKSpace Coronavirus COVID-19 Links and News Updates (in English)

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Scientific and Technical Subcommittee of UN COPUOS

At the meeting of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee of UN COPUOS, Croatia has its representatives as observers.

The regular meeting of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee is attended by OSCE Ambassador Mario Horvatić, Jasminka Dinić and Iva Baković as members of the delegation. Croatia has observer status but should be admitted to a permanent membership at the session in June.

The meeting is also attended by A3 member Mirta Medanić as part of the SGAC (Space Generation Advisory Council) delegation.

The list of participants can be found at:
http://unoosa.org/res/oosadoc/data/documents/2020/aac_105c_12020crp/aac_105c_12020crp_2_0_html/AC105_C1_2020_CRP02EFS.pdf

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Brijuni Conference

We invite you all to the Brijuni Conference 2020 that will be held on April 22-24 2020 in the Brijuni National Park, Croatia. The Conference topic is “Deep Space Communication, Navigation and Propulsion” and for more details please visit our web page http://www.brijuni-conference.irb.hr/.

The focus is on scientific and technical aspects of deep space communication, navigation and propulsion, with the emphases on novel ideas. The conference is also a meeting place of science and technology and programmatic aspects might also be discussed. Ample afternoon time is meant for making contacts, discussing projects or arranging business. Poster sessions are organized reviewing R&D results or displaying products. The conference is targeting scientists and engineers in Space, companies that are developing cutting edge technology and importantly students and young scientists.

Slobodan Danko Bosanac
president
Adriatic Aerospace Association

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Global Space Exploration Conference GLEX 2020

The International Astronautical Federation (IAF) is pleased to invite you to the Global Space Exploration Conference (GLEX) 2020 to take place in St. Petersburg, Russian Federation from 9 – 11 June 2020.

The Conference, organized by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) and hosted by IAF Member ROSCOSMOS, will bring together leaders and decision-makers within the science and human exploration community ? engineers, scientists, entrepreneurs, educators, agency representatives and policy makers. Following up on GLEX 2012 in Washington, D.C., United States and GLEX 2017 in Beijing, China, GLEX 2020 aims to examine the recent achievements and current challenges in space exploration, as well as providing a platform to encourage international cooperation and to promote space exploration on a global scale. GLEX 2020 will feature an Opening Event; several Plenary Events and Keynote Lectures; a Global Networking Forum (GNF) Programme and an attractive social and networking programme including a Welcome Reception and a Gala Dinner.  GLEX 2020 will also feature a Technical Programme with Sessions in several parallel technical streams. The Call for Papers will be open until 3 January 2020. Please be sure to share this deadline with any colleagues who may be interested.

You are invited to submit abstracts online on the IAF Restricted Area www.iafastro.net on the following 12 topics:

  1. International Cooperation for Space Exploration
  2. Lunar Exploration
  3. Mars Exploration
  4. Exploration of Near-Earth Asteroids
  5. Exploration of Other Destinations
  6. Space Transportation
  7. Key Technologies
  8. Challenges of Life Support/Medical Support for Human Missions
  9. Space Stations
  10. Space Resources
  11. Ground-Based Preparatory Activities
  12. Transcending Societal Issues for Space Exploration

If you would like to know more, please visit the official GLEX 2020 website: www.glex2020.org

As an IAF Member, you are encouraged to promote this exciting IAF conference within your community. Your support will help us creating a space-faring world cooperating for the benefit of humanity!

 Please find attached GLEX 2020 Banner, GLEX Venue photo and GLEX 2020 Logo for your use. You are invited to publicize the Global Space Exploration Conference #GLEX2020 within your community on social media, on your website and in your newsletters. We have created the following text you can employ:

Come to the Global Space Exploration Conference #GLEX2020 organized by the IAF to take place in St. Petersburg, Russian Federation from 9 – 11 June 2020. Submit your abstract by 3 January 2020. Visit www.glex2020.org to find out more.

Let us know if there is something we can do to make it easier for you to share this.

Looking forward to meeting you in St. Petersburg at #GLEX2020!