Earth Observation Stepping Stone Missions - Information Day

Friday 20 Mar 2026, 09:00 → 17:00 Europe/Amsterdam

Hybrid: ESTEC-Newton1+2 & Online

Nicola Melega (Esa)

Introduction

The Earth Observation Programme Directorate of the European Space Agency (ESA) responds to the growing demand for Earth Observation (EO) information arising from evolving National, European, and International environmental policies and frameworks. These include, among others, the European Green Deal, the EU Climate Law, the Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, as well as international frameworks such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement.

In this context, ESA is initiating a new activity entitled Stepping Stones (SpS). The objective of the SpS activity is to accelerate the maturation and deployment of new space-based observation capabilities by reducing technical, programmatic, and adoption risks along the pathway from mission concept to mature, commercially viable services.

Stepping Stone Missions are designed to complement and enhance existing public space and ground infrastructures, acting as precursors to sustained, operational capabilities. They build upon established reference missions while targeting gaps that are not fully addressed by current systems. They address a niche in the current Earth Observation Ecosystem by responding to the need for quality-proven data at the time-and space sampling scales required to address the National, European, and International environmental policies and realize commensurate societal benefits.

Specifically, Stepping Stone Missions are characterized by the following principles:

1. User-driven requirements
   Mission objectives are driven by user’s identified requirements addressing environmental regulations.
2. Service-oriented mission definition
   Missions are conceived with a clear service perspective, targeting ownership and operation by commercial entities once performance, data quality, and operational readiness have been demonstrated and certified in orbit.
3. Scalability and evolution
   Mission concepts are designed to be scalable and adaptable in order to accommodate future user needs, policy evolution, and market expansion.
4. End-to-end validation
   Missions are supported by comprehensive validation and verification through user-oriented pilots, ensuring fitness-for-purpose prior to implementation.

ESA is planning to issue an industrial Invitation To Tender (ITT) for Stepping Stone Missions Definition Studies. Planned for a duration of 24 months, their objective is to establish a solid technical, programmatic, and service-oriented foundation for new mission concepts. This would demonstrate the feasibility and credibility of the proposed concepts, potentially enabling a subsequent fast and efficient implementation phase.

Interested industrial entities and institutions are invited to participate in a one-day Information Day. 

To increase awareness of the Stepping Stone Missions prior to the initiation of the Definition Studies. 

ESTEC Safety & Security Leaflet (pdf)

Getting to ESTEC

Opening and Welcome

Conveners: Juliette Lambin (Head of Future Missions & Architecture Department), Simonetta Cheli (Director of Earth Observation Programmes)

Overview of the Stepping Stone Framework

30 minutes presentation + 15 minutes Q&A

Convener: Dr Vanessa Keuck (ESA)

Overview of the Stepping Stone Framework: Q&A

30 minutes presentation + 15 minutes Q&A

10:00 Coffee Break

European and international policies on climate and the environment

Convener: Giuseppe Ottavianelli (ESA-ESRIN / Head of Applications Section)

European and international policies on climate and the environment: Q&A

Economic and Business Models - Commercial Opportunities

Convener: Michele Castorina (TBC) (ESA-ESRIN / Head of Phi-lab Invest Office)

Economic and Business Models - Commercial Opportunities: Q&A

Overview of the Definition Phase Studies

including all element 1 and element 2

Convener: Nicola Melega (Esa)

Overview of the Definition Phase Studies: Q&A

including all element 1 and element 2

Guidelines for Proposal Preparation

Convener: Nicola Melega (Esa)

Q & A Slot

13:00 Lunch Break

Interactive Networking Coffee with B2B Possibilities

Final Q&A | Concluding Remarks

Convener: Bernardo Carnicero Dominquez (ESA-ESTEC / Head of Mission & System Studies Section)