ESA FIRST! initiative

Disruptive technologies are chosen for further investigation under an ESA initiative called FIRST! – Future Innovation Research in Space Transportation.

Through FIRST!, ESA intends to accelerate and derisk commercially attractive technologies through rapid prototyping and testing. This will stimulate and strengthen the growing commercial space economy in Europe. FIRST! is also an excellent example of ESA’s transformation described in Agenda 2025, to be bolder, more dynamic and quicker to interact with European start-ups and companies to help them to succeed.