OPS-SAT – the flying laboratory

Only 30 cm high, ESA's OPS-SAT Space Lab is a Swiss army knife in orbit. With its powerful flight computer, a high-resolution camera to take detailed pictures of Earth, radio equipment and other specialised tools, OPS-SAT makes it possible to test innovative experimental technologies in space on a robust and low-risk CubeSat.

In 2021, the Discovery element of ESA’s Basic Activities issued a call for ideas for European industry and academia to apply to win funding and fly their experiments on OPS-SAT. 55 proposals were received, with 12 receiving funding.