CASSINI Challenges competition is open

The 2026 CASSINI Challenges competition seeks innovative, space-based solutions and ideas that can help solve some of today’s most pressing issues, offering winners a EUR 100,000 prize each.

The EU Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA), together with the European Commission, launched the CASSINI Challenges 2026. The annual competition aims to promote the use of space technologies to address pressing commercial, social and environmental challenges.

By pairing creators with space technologies, we aim to inspire innovation, cultivate ideas and deliver solutions that will ultimately benefit citizens and businesses alike. 

Rodrigo da Costa, EUSPA Executive Director

This year’s edition features one track, awarding 12 winners EUR 100, 000 each. By awarding more funding to fewer solutions, the objective is to ensure that each selected project has the strongest possible potential to become a commercial success story.

All applicants are required to identify a commercial, social or environmental challenge and then submit an innovative, space-based solution that can help solve it. Solutions must make use of the EU Space Programme, including satellite navigation (EGNOS, Galileo), Earth Observation (Copernicus), secure satellite communication (GOVSATCOM), space surveillance and tracking or any combination thereof.

Applicants also need to demonstrate how their solution will advance the EU Space industry, enhance its global competitiveness and showcase the vast potential for using space technology across a variety of industries. Proposed solutions should be a minimum viable product (MVP), with demonstratable market potential and a clear path to commercialisation.
Submissions will be evaluated on their technology excellence, level of innovation, and commercial potential, amongst other criteria.

More information on the CASSINI Challenges can be found here.

The CASSINI Challenges are part of CASSINI, the European Commission’s initiative geared to supporting entrepreneurs, start-ups and SMEs developing innovative applications and services that leverage the EU Space Programme.