Lectures, workshops and mentoring are now available!
The EU Space Academy Learning Platform offers enthusiastic entrepreneurs a free and customisable online development programme tailored to their unique goals.
Motivated to shake up your industry by employing the latest knowledge in space data? You’ve come to the right place.
Our academy brings you:
curriculum
Space Economy
Explore the following modules:
- The Space Economy
- Access to Space for Founders
- EU Space Market Insights
- New Space & Start-up Insights
Applications
Explore the following modules:
- Secure Satellite Communication
- Space Situational Awareness
- Earth Observation
- GNSS
- Enabling Technologies
Hardware
This course is coming soon!
with EO Data
Explore the following modules:
- Copernicus Programme
- Copernicus for Developers
- Deep Dive on Remote Sensing Data Use Cases
with GNSS Data
Explore the following modules:
- Galileo Programme & EGNOS
- Galileo for Developers
- Deep Dive on GNSS Use Cases
Space Business
Explore the following modules:
- Business Strategy
- Business Model
- Building a Team
- Minimum Viable Product
- Concept and Design
- Marketing
- Sales
Capital
Explore the following modules:
- Opportunities under CASSINI
- Public & Private Funding
- Investor Pitching (Coming Soon)
Europe
Explore the following modules:
- EU Space Policy
- European Government Procurement (Coming Soon)
- Regulatory Guidelines
Global Markets
This course is coming soon!
Space for Security
Explore the following modules:
- Foundational Context
- Governance and Institutional Cooperation in Space Security
- Cybersecurity and Digital Resilience in Space Security
Space for Security
Explore the following modules:
- Strategic and Industrial Dimensions of Space Security
- Operational Applications of EU Space for Security
- Frontier Technologies in Space Security
Our partners offer further learning opportunities across key areas of the space sector, from entrepreneurship and technology to policy and regulation. Explore their resources to continue your learning journey.
ESA Academy helps university students build space expertise through hands-on projects, technical training, and learning opportunities across space science, engineering, mission design, and business.
Daria Stepanova is Co-Founder and CEO of AIRMO, a Munich-based space technology company developing satellite-based and airborne solutions for monitoring methane and greenhouse gas emissions. With over a decade of experience in the space industry, she previously served as CTO of German Orbital Systems and contributed to 12 small satellite missions spanning Earth observation, IoT and scientific applications. Her expertise covers satellite engineering, mission operations and technology commercialisation, driving AIRMO’s international expansion and the development of advanced emissions monitoring solutions.
Thea Flem Dethlefsen is a Space Policy Officer at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space. Her work spans secure connectivity, space surveillance and EU space-policy development. Trained in air and space law, she brings legal and policy expertise to advancing safe, sustainable and equitable access to space.
Isabella Poldrugo is Deputy Head of Unit for Space Policy at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space. She helps shape coherent EU space policy, regulatory frameworks and a globally competitive space ecosystem. Her earlier career includes a decade advising Members of the European Parliament on energy, industry and trade.
Alix Rousselière is a Senior Consultant at Novaspace, specialising in satellite ground-segment strategy and market intelligence. She leads the Ground Segment Market Prospects report and has advised satellite operators, equipment manufacturers and space agencies. Her previous experience includes roles with Thales and France’s Permanent Representation to NATO.
Javier Simón is Galileo Open Service Navigation Message Authentication (OSNMA) Service Manager at EUSPA, overseeing the delivery and evolution of Galileo's authentication service to strengthen satellite navigation security and resilience against spoofing. With 20 years of experience in GNSS engineering and service development, he previously worked as a GNSS Project Manager at GMV and a Service Design Engineer at the European GNSS Agency. He holds an MSc in Telecommunications Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Madrid and contributed to the development and operational launch of Galileo OSNMA in July 2025.
Jonas Piccinotti is Head of Business Development for Italy, Switzerland, Croatia and Slovenia at Shield AI, a US-based defence technology company developing AI-powered autonomous aircraft and mission systems. With extensive experience in aerospace, defence and strategic consulting, he previously spent five years at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), advising major aerospace and defence companies and institutional stakeholders, and eight years in the Italian Air Force overseeing flight testing and maintenance operations. His expertise spans defence innovation, emerging technologies and business development, supporting the deployment of advanced autonomous systems across European markets.
Max Gulde is Co-Founder and CEO of constellr, a European provider of high-resolution thermal intelligence from space. A physicist with expertise in Earth observation and satellite technology, he leads the development of AI-powered temperature data to support food, water, climate and infrastructure resilience.
Julia Yagüe is a geographer and holds a PhD in Remote Sensing. Julia is a Project Manager at GMV’s Remote Sensing Applications Unit since 2007 and develops EO services for EU institutional clients governing environment, agriculture and forestry including carbon stock measurements. Dr Yagüe managed the EC study on User Requirements & Service Specifications to be fulfilled by the next generation of the Copernicus space component.
Claus Nehmzou has more than 30 years of experience in business development for multinational companies across diverse industries. Claus specialises in emerging technology, and he is the founder and CEO of a gamified online education start-up in Hong Kong. He is renowned for his innovative approaches and valued for his business and technology insights.
Dr. Vasilis Kalogirou is Governmental Market Officer at EUSPA, within the Market, Downstream and Innovation Department, promoting the adoption of European space technologies across emergency management, humanitarian aid and public-sector applications. With a PhD in Geoinformation from the University of Rome Tor Vergata and an MSc in Remote Sensing from University College London, he previously worked at the EU Satellite Centre (SatCen), developing Copernicus-based geospatial intelligence services for border surveillance. His expertise spans Earth observation, satellite navigation and research and innovation funding, supporting public authorities in deploying innovative space-based solutions.
Founder @ MESGA.eu
Startup mentor, venture builder and early-stage investor focused on Central and Eastern European founders in strategic sectors. He has supported more than 10,000 founders through innovation programmes and helps teams become investment-ready. His experience includes launching Bolt and WeWork in the region, and building accelerator and investor networks.
Founder @ PIXAM
GNSS engineer and geo-robotics specialist focused on high-precision positioning for robotics, IoT, and spatial analysis. As founder of PIXAM LTD, he develops hardware and software systems for mapping, measurement, and autonomous applications. He also supports startups in turning technical concepts into real-world systems and fostering innovation.
Technologist @ ASI - Italian Space Agency
Ph.D. in Geoinformation. He spent 10+ years at the GIPSA-Lab in Grenoble conducting research activity focused on hyperspectral image processing. He is among the founders of Data Science Experts, a french startup specialized in AI+EO. In 2021 Giorgio joined the Italian Space Agency as Technologist specialized in hyperspectral data processing.
Associate @ Lean Sales
Entrepreneurship and innovation expert with over 20 years of international experience in business development, growth strategy, fundraising and sales. He has coached hundreds of executives, start-ups and growing companies, and teaches at international business schools. His work supports innovative ventures with market entry, commercialisation, investment readiness and sustainable scaling.
Assistant Professor @ Hellenic Naval Academy
Defence-systems expert specialising in electro-optical, radar and infrared sensing. His work covers sensor design, integration and performance optimisation for situational-awareness applications. He teaches telecommunications and sensor technologies, and has contributed to EDF and Horizon Europe projects as an evaluator and EUDIS coach.
Technical Director @ Alpine Space Ventures
Catriona serves as the Technical Director of Alpine Space Ventures, an investment fund focused on supporting early-stage space startups in the NewSpace sector. Before joining Alpine Space Ventures, she was a Director at SpaceX, where in a technical role in the Avionics department, she contributed to the development of all the rockets and capsules that the company has produced.
Co-founder @ Arribes Enlightenment
Innovation and internationalisation consultant with over 20 years of experience supporting start-ups and technology companies. She specialises in investment readiness, public procurement, market-entry strategy and international scaling. Her work also covers aerospace, geospatial-data applications and dual-use innovation, supported by a partner network spanning 51 countries.
Innovation and Impact Lead @ University of Oxford
Working at the nexus of sustainable finance and geospatial technologies. Currently at University of Oxford developing, leading research on Spatial Finance and creating open datasets. Background in commercialising satellite data applications with a strong interest in climate-, nature- and biodiversity-related financial risks and impacts, sustainability-linked financial products and impact investing.
Founder & CEO @ Startup Manufactory
Independent consultant with a portfolio career of 15 years including: Executive board-level experience, Venture Capital, Horizon Europe Grants, Academia, Higher Education, Conference speaking, Start-ups, Accelerators, Technology Transfer, Innovation Management.
Vice President Global Sales @ constellr
Commercial and product leader with over 10 years of start-up experience in data-driven technology. He leads global engagements spanning customer needs, proof-of-concept development, contracting and operational deployment. His background combines commercial, technical and product expertise, alongside board roles supporting early-stage companies with market entry and scaling.
Any individual of legal age established in the Member States of European Economic Area, EU candidate countries and Horizon Europe associated countries.
Register anytime during the academy by clicking at the courses on our website.
No, not at all. We encourage anyone with a passion for entrepreneurship and EU space data and signals to participate in the academy. You can learn about the opportunities of the downstream sector and business practices to create a successful start-up.
Yes, there is no requirement as such for participation in the EU Space Academy Learning Platform. Although the course is aimed at entrepreneurs within the space sector, the lessons are designed so any interested person regardless of their background can find modules of interest.
No, you can register to the online programme anytime! Once you registered, you will gain access to all the available courses that you can watch at your own convenience.
Each member of your team can individually join and benefit from the academy.
No, you can watch the lessons in your preferred order.
Yes, you will get a certificate after completing the academy. Additionally, after the completion of each course, you can download a completion badge and share it with your network.
Yes, feel free to join all the courses you like.
You can book up to 4 mentoring sessions in any 365-day period, either with the same mentor or different ones. Note that places are limited and mentor availability cannot be guaranteed