ESA Discovery

The Discovery & Preparation elements of ESA's Discovery, Preparation and Technology Development (DPTD) activities carry out preparatory analysis and lay the groundwork for ESA’s short- to medium-term future activities.

Discovery & Preparation activities explore a wide diversity of topics that run across the entire spectrum of ESA’s focus areas. Each one typically lasts one to two years and the results are used by ESA and its Member States to make decisions about the implementation of new programmes and the future direction of space activities.

ESA Discovery sources ideas for new activities from industry, academia and the general public through the Open Space Innovation Platform (OSIP). Campaigns for specific ideas and more open Channels are regularly launched, and ideas submitted under these are reviewed. Authors of the most novel ideas are invited to submit full proposals for funding. The exploratory nature of Discovery & Preparation studies means that preserving their outcomes is vital for ensuring that the knowledge and experienced gained is maximised and built upon in future work. This expertise preservation is ensured though the Nebula Library, which provides access to all the final deliverables of every previous Discovery & Preparation study.