Call for proposals: Fly Your Satellite!

The deadline for submitting proposals is on January 21, 2024, 23:59 CET. Instructions for submitting a proposal and conditions to apply can be found here. 

The fourth edition of Fly Your Satellite! is based on the heritage of the previous editions with the objective to support student teams throughout the assembly, integration, testing, and verification process of their educational satellites. By participating in the programme, students will implement standard practices for spacecraft development; receive support from experienced ESA specialists; attend tailored training courses; and will be offered access to state-of-the-art test facilities. 

The programme is for teams that have already manufactured and tested the satellite subsystems, and are ready to proceed to start integration shortly after being accepted to the programme. Students will be then supported through the Assembly, Integration, and Verification phase. Teams will be offered a launch opportunity if they demonstrate the readiness of their spacecraft and ground segment and compatibility with the technical and safety requirements. 

For the current call, launch opportunities to LEO (Low Earth Orbit) compatible with ESA zero debris approach on orbital lifetime are envisioned. This means that the natural orbital decay duration shall be below 5 years (final numerical value is being consolidated at the time of opening of this Call). Flexibility to several orbits is recommended as pico- and nanosatellites often fly on rideshare missions or as piggyback payloads and teams should be prepared to accept deployments from orbits that deviate from their optimal performance orbit. The earliest launch opportunity for teams selected through the present call for proposals is expected as of 2025. 

What’s new: 

• Expanded form factors: In addition to 1U, 2U, 3U and 3U+ CubeSats, the programme now welcomes applications for 1P, 2P and 3P PocketQubes.  
• Inclusive participation: Early-career professionals, part-time students, and individuals from diverse fields such as business, architecture, agriculture, and more, are welcome to join the programme.  
• Open to all tertiary education institutions: The programme is now open to all tertiary education institutions, including teams composed of undergraduate, postgraduate, vocational and technical students. Partnerships between different institutions are also encouraged, e.g., University partnering with a technical education institution. 
• Downstream applications: Participating teams are encouraged to further develop their project with respect to downstream application and entrepreneurship, including through new training elements. 

Want to apply? 

Student teams can apply by submitting a proposal describing their satellite project and demonstrating its maturity to start their integrated system tests. Instructions to submit a proposal for the fourth edition of the Fly Your Satellite! programme, can be found here. 

Two Information Sessions for potential applicants will be offered by the Fly Your Satellite! programme on Wednesday November 15,2023, 16:00-17:00 CET and Thursday December 14, 2023, 16:00-17:00 CET. Please register to attend using the following form. 

How do I find out more? 

For more information about our opportunities, scroll down to the bottom of the Fly Your Satellite! main page. New opportunities can be expected targeting student teams at different stages of the project lifecycle. Keep an eye out on the ESA Education website to be updated on the latest news. For further information please contact us at cubesats@esa.int.