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Czech Companies Can Already Join the ESA Phi-Lab calls

For many Czech technology companies, the ESA Phi-Lab network still looks like something new that belongs mainly to countries which already have their own national ESA Phi-Lab. This is understandable. Each Phi-Lab has a national anchor, its own thematic focus, its own local ecosystem and its own calls. From the outside, it may look as if Czech companies must wait until the Czech Republic has its own ESA Phi-Lab before they can participate. But the experiance shows the opposite.

Czech companies, research organisations and technical institutes can already take part in ESA Phi-Lab projects today. The key is to understand the correct role. In most cases, a Czech organisation will not be the main applicant in another country’s ESA Phi-Lab. The more realistic and safer route is to join a project as a space know-how provider, technical partner, or ssubcontractor working with a local lead in the ESA Phi-Lab country.

In practice, this means that a Czech company can participate if it brings a capability that the local project genuinely needs: space engineering know-how, subsystem expertise, optics and laser, test infrastructure, manufacturing competence, or experience with ESA programmes.

How the money usually works

ESA Phi-Lab projects usually support early-stage but serious innovation: proof-of-concept work, prototypes, demonstrators, validation, and technology development with a clear route to market. A good fit is typically a project starting around TRL 2–5, with the aim of moving towards TRL 4–6, depending on the call.

Funding depends on the country and call, but a practical planning range is usually around €200,000–€400,000 per 1 project. Some calls may go higher or include in-kind support. Projects often last up to 24 months (max. 2 years). For companies joining a Phi-Lab outside their own country, the key point is that most of the budget usually needs to stay in the Phi-Lab country. A useful planning assumption is around 70% local / 30% non-local, but this is not a fixed rule and must always be checked in the call documents.

For a Czech company, this means a realistic role is often a focused technical work package worth up to about 30% of the project budget. For example, in a €400,000 project, that could mean around €120,000 for the Czech partner; in a €500,000 project, around €150,000.

The strongest approach is to position the Czech company as a focused and valuable contributor to the proposal, rather than as the central applicant. Its role should be clearly defined around a high-value technical contribution that strengthens the local applicant’s project and increases the overall quality, relevance and credibility of the proposal.

The VZLU example: Czech space know-how inside an Austrian ESA Phi-Lab project

VZLU was selected as a know-how from space subcontractor in an Austrian Phi-Lab project. The applicant was an Austrian company, while VZLU provided the space know-how expertise needed to strengthen the technical and application logic of the project.

This happened roughly six to eight months after an earlier information and matchmaking campaign. That campaign helped connect Czech capabilities with foreign Phi-Lab opportunities. In this case, the Austrian applicant needed space-domain expertise, and VZLU was selected to provide it. The lesson is important: Czech organisations can enter the ESA Phi-Lab network through value, not through nationality.

The ESA Phi-Lab network: what each hub does and where Czech companies may fit

The ESA Phi-Lab network is not one generic funding programme, but this is a network of thematic competence centres. Each Phi-Lab has a different focus, and the Czech opportunity depends on matching the right Czech technology to the right hub.

Below is a practical overview for Czech companies.

ESA Φ-Lab at ESRIN, Italy

The original ESA Φ-Lab is based at ESRIN in Frascati, Italy. It is the central ESA hub for innovation in Earth Observation. Its focus includes Earth Observation data, AI, foundation models, edge and on-board computing, quantum computing, digital twins, commercialisation and disruptive innovation.

For Czech companies, this is relevant if they work with Earth Observation, AI for satellite data, downstream analytics, digital twins, climate or environmental monitoring, EO commercialisation, or advanced processing of satellite data.

This is not usually the easiest entry point for a Czech SME looking for a national Phi-Lab-style project. However, it is strategically important because it shapes the overall ESA Φ-lab innovation agenda.

Contact route: central ESA Φ-lab contact form or phi-lab@esa.int.

ESA Phi-Lab Austria

ESA Phi-Lab Austria is focused on upstream space innovation, especially the industrialisation of space hardware and software. This makes it highly relevant for Czech companies working on satellite components, avionics, embedded systems, mechanisms, optics, structures, thermal hardware, ground-support equipment, manufacturing processes, testing, space-qualified electronics or upstream software.

For Czech companies, Austria is one of the most practical Phi-Lab opportunities because of geographical proximity and existing Czech–Austrian upstream matchmaking. There are two possible routes.

  • The first route is to work with an Austrian partner as the lead applicant. This is usually the most natural and safest model. The Austrian partner brings the local eligibility and ecosystem impact, while the Czech company contributes a specialist technical work package.
  • The second route is more difficult and unlikely (we dont recommend that): a Czech company may act as prime only if it can prove a strong Austrian impact. This could mean Austrian partners, Austrian industrial return, Austrian supply-chain benefit, Austrian testing or manufacturing involvement, or a clear contribution to the Austrian upstream space ecosystem.

Typical funding: approximately €200,000 to €500,000 per 1 project, depending on the call. Typical Czech/non-local share: plan around up to 30% of the total project budget, unless the call allows otherwise. Known application route: applicants are usually asked to contact ESA Phi-Lab Austria early and use pre-proposal support. Applications and call documents are handled through the Austrian Phi-Lab process.

Contact route: ESA Phi-Lab Austria application/contact form; in previous call materials, applications were also associated with esaphilab@accent.at.

Deadline: past and current calls have had specific deadlines; the Czech presentation indicates further Austrian opportunity windows around autumn 2026 to spring 2027. This must be checked in the current Austrian call documents.

ESA Phi-Lab Ireland

ESA Phi-Lab Ireland focuses on next-generation space-optimised hardware. Its technical priorities include advanced materials, design optimisation, additive manufacturing, structural analysis and simulation, production process optimisation and integration of smart materials.

For Czech companies, Ireland is relevant if they have strong hardware, manufacturing, materials, robotics, mechanical design, structural analysis, testing or advanced production capabilities. Software can fit, but mainly where it directly supports hardware or manufacturing, for example AI-driven materials design or simulation tools for production optimisation.

Typical funding: the current Irish model has indicated up to around €400,000 per project and project duration up to 24 months.

Local/non-local split: the working model is 70:30 Irish/non-Irish, meaning a Czech partner should normally expect a limited and well-justified work package.

Funding rates may depend on organisation type. The Czech workshop material indicates a model where SMEs, research organisations and large companies may have different rates, with research organisations and SMEs typically treated more favourably than large companies.

Best Czech route: find an Irish lead partner first, then define the Czech role as a specialist hardware, manufacturing, materials or testing work package.

Contact route: ESA Phi-Lab Ireland helpdesk, info@esaphilab.ie.

Deadline: the 2025 Irish open call deadline was 16 September 2025. Future calls should be checked through ESA Phi-Lab Ireland’s open call page.

ESA Phi-Lab Sweden

ESA Phi-Lab Sweden focuses on AI, edge computing, cognitive cloud computing and autonomous intelligent space systems. Its goal is to support technologies that allow satellites and space-borne platforms to operate with more autonomy, intelligence and computational efficiency.

For Czech companies, Sweden is relevant if they work on onboard AI, edge processing, intelligent satellites, autonomous systems, next-generation space computing architectures, embedded AI, data chains onboard satellites, or hardware/software platforms for autonomous space systems.

Typical funding: Swedish sources indicate approximately 2.5 million to 4 or 5 million SEK per project, depending on the specific call.

Duration: up to 24 months in current call structures.

Non-local participation: Swedish participants are usually central. Cooperation with organisations from other ESA Member States may be possible, but Czech companies should assume that their role needs to be linked to Swedish impact and call eligibility.

Known deadline: current public material has indicated a 2026 deadline around 15 June 2026, but this must always be confirmed on the official Swedish call page or Vinnova portal.

Application route: through Vinnova’s online service and parallel submission to ESA Phi-Lab Sweden where required.

Contact route: info@esaphilab.se.

ESA Phi-Lab Finland

ESA Phi-Lab Finland focuses on disruptive geospatial innovation for space. This includes Earth Observation, sensors, GIS computing, PNT, GNSS and related commercial geospatial applications.

For Czech companies, Finland is relevant if they work on geospatial analytics, EO applications, GNSS/PNT solutions, sensor systems, mapping, location intelligence, satellite-data services, environmental monitoring, forestry, infrastructure monitoring, Arctic-relevant data services or commercial geospatial platforms.

Total programme funding: ESA Phi-Lab Finland has announced €4.4 million of project funding support over 2025–2030.

Call structure: permanent open call, with selection cut-off dates at least once a year.

Known deadline/cut-off: the 2026 cut-off date is indicated as 7 September 2026.

Eligibility: Finnish entities are central. Czech participation should therefore be structured through a Finnish lead or a partnership with clear Finnish benefit.

Contact route: ESA Phi-Lab Finland; esaphilabfinland@aalto.fi as a contact route for documents and questions.

ESA Phi-Lab Switzerland / ESDI

The Swiss Phi-Lab is connected to the European Space Deep-Tech Innovation Centre, ESDI. Its focus is deep-tech innovation, including quantum technologies, data science and advanced materials. It is positioned around high-end scientific and technological breakthroughs with space relevance.

For Czech companies, Switzerland is relevant if they work on quantum sensing, advanced materials, data science for satellite applications, predictive analytics, deep-tech hardware, instrumentation, or technologies that can connect space systems with terrestrial applications such as agriculture, transport, energy, infrastructure or climate monitoring.

Known funding and deadlines: these are call-specific. A previous Swiss “Quantum x Space” call had a deadline in 2025. Future opportunities should be checked directly with ESDI / Phi-Lab Switzerland.

Best Czech route: approach through a Swiss partner, research centre or industrial lead where Czech expertise fills a specific deep-tech gap.

Contact route: ESDI / Phi-Lab Switzerland contact form.

ESA Phi-Lab Spain

ESA Phi-Lab Spain focuses on space-based solutions for climate resilience. This includes both upstream and downstream technologies if they help develop, industrialise or commercialise solutions relevant to climate resilience.

For Czech companies, Spain is relevant if they work on climate services, Earth Observation, environmental monitoring, water management, drought monitoring, agriculture, wildfire monitoring, infrastructure resilience, satellite-enabled risk assessment, or space technologies that support climate adaptation.

Known funding and deadlines: Spain has operated open calls with cut-off dates. A previous call cycle included a second cut-off date, and older public material referenced a deadline in January 2025. Current dates must be checked on the ESA Phi-Lab NET Spain call page.

Best Czech route: partner with a Spanish lead and show how the Czech technology improves a climate-resilience solution with clear relevance for Spain.

Contact route: ESA Phi-Lab NET Spain programme page/contact route.

ESA Phi-Lab Norway / Arctic Phi-Lab

ESA Phi-Lab Norway, also known as the Arctic Phi-Lab, focuses on space-enabled technologies addressing Arctic ocean needs. This includes Earth Observation, Arctic monitoring, environmental management, safety, resources, polar operations, resilient infrastructure and technologies for extreme conditions.

For Czech companies, Norway is relevant if they work on technologies that can be validated in harsh environments or adapted from polar to space applications. Examples include sensing, robotics, materials, surface treatment, laser applications, remote monitoring, autonomous systems, EO analytics, communications and field validation.

A Czech best-practice example already exists in this direction: HiLASE, Narran and ESA Phi-Lab Norway explored laser cleaning in extreme conditions, with the polar environment acting as a testbed for space-relevant applications.

Known deadline: a previous Arctic Phi-Lab open call closed on 24 October 2025. Future call dates must be checked through the Arctic Phi-Lab site.

Contact route: application@arcticphilab.no or Arctic Phi-Lab contact forms.

Best Czech route: define a project where Czech technology is useful in Arctic conditions and has a credible link to space applications.

ESA Phi-Lab Poland

ESA Phi-Lab Poland focuses on robotics, AI, autonomy and related space applications. Current public call material has highlighted software and hardware solutions for autonomous in-orbit robotic operations.

For Czech companies, Poland is relevant if they work on robotics, autonomous systems, AI, space robotics hardware, perception, control systems, simulation, in-orbit servicing technologies, robotic navigation, mechatronics, or testing environments for autonomous operations.

Known deadline: Open Call #2 has been listed as opening on 20 April 2026 and closing on 29 May 2026 at 23:59.

Eligibility: applications are expected from entities registered in Poland or delivering a clear benefit to Poland. This means Czech companies should normally work with a Polish lead or demonstrate strong Polish impact.

Contact route: ESA Phi-Lab Poland proposal service and programme contact route.

Typical funding: dedicated seed funding is available, but the exact amount should be confirmed in the call documents.

Best Czech route: partner with a Polish robotics, AI or space-technology organisation and define a focused Czech work package in autonomy, hardware, testing or software.

ESA Phi-Lab United Kingdom

ESA Phi-Lab UK focuses on space-enabled sustainability, resilience and environmental sustainability. It supports commercialisation of innovative space-related technologies and provides access to specialist facilities, laboratories, cleanrooms and environmental testing.

For Czech companies, the UK is relevant if they work on technologies supporting space sustainability, sustainability on Earth, resilient infrastructure, environmental monitoring, clean technologies, satellite-enabled services, space hardware validation or testing.

Typical funding: ESA Phi-Lab UK indicates approximately €200,000 to €225,000 per research project.

Known deadline: current public material has indicated a final submission deadline of 15 May 2026, with earlier engagement and expression-of-interest dates before that.

Best Czech route: work with a UK partner and show strong relevance to the UK’s sustainability, resilience or space-technology ecosystem.

Contact route: ESA Phi-Lab UK application/contact process.

ESA Phi-Lab Netherlands

ESA Phi-Lab Netherlands is focused on downstream space data and technologies for resilient societies. It is particularly relevant where space data can support resilience, infrastructure, navigation, security, climate services, emergency response or societal robustness.

For Czech companies, the Netherlands is relevant if they work on downstream applications, EO analytics, resilient navigation, positioning, timing, data platforms, risk management, smart infrastructure or satellite-enabled services.

A Czech example in this direction is the Eltvor concept around trilateration and time-transfer-based positioning, which was discussed with ESA Phi-Lab Netherlands and connected to resilient navigation and ESA ESTEC expertise.

Known deadline: current public deadline information should be checked directly through the Dutch Phi-Lab or ESA network channels.

Best Czech route: identify a Dutch lead or ESA-linked partner and frame the Czech technology as a contribution to resilience, positioning, navigation, timing or downstream data applications.

Contact route: use ESA Φ-lab network contact routes or the specific Dutch Phi-Lab contact when available.

Upcoming and future calls

Several ESA Phi-Labs have open calls, cut-off dates or recurring call windows. These change over time and must always be checked in the official call documents. ESA Technology Broker Czechia can help Czech companies identify which call is most relevant and whether their technology is realistic. For support, contact ESA Technology Broker Czechia:

Anna Ruscak — ruscak@tc.cz or Ondrej Simek — simek@tc.cz

How to calculate the Czech role in a proposal

A simple planning model can help. If the call budget is €400,000 and the foreign-partner limit is 30%, the Czech work package should normally not exceed about €120,000. If the call budget is €500,000, the Czech work package should normally not exceed about €150,000. If the call budget is €225,000, as in the UK model, the Czech share may be much smaller unless the call explicitly allows a larger non-local contribution. If the call is in Sweden and the project budget is 2.5–4 million SEK, the Czech role should be discussed carefully with the Swedish lead and checked against Swedish/ESA eligibility rules. This calculation should be done early, before the consortium writes the work plan. If the Czech work package is too large, the proposal may become difficult to justify. If it is too vague, the Czech role may be removed during proposal preparation. The best position is a focused technical package that is clearly necessary and proportionate.

Where Czech companies are strongest

Czech companies and research organisations have several areas that can fit the ESA Phi-Lab network well.

  • Optics, lasers and optoelectronics are especially relevant for future Czech positioning and for applications in sensing, testing, manufacturing, metrology, communications and surface treatment.
  • Advanced manufacturing is relevant for Ireland, Austria and Sweden, especially where hardware industrialisation, materials, production processes or space-optimised components are involved.
  • Embedded systems and electronics are relevant for Austria, Sweden, Ireland and the UK.
  • Edge computing and autonomous systems are highly relevant for Sweden and Poland.
  • Earth Observation, geospatial analytics and climate services are relevant for ESA Φ-Lab at ESRIN, Finland, Spain, the Netherlands, Norway and the UK.
  • Robotics and autonomy are especially relevant for Poland, Sweden, Ireland and Norway.
  • Navigation, PNT and resilient systems are relevant for Finland, the Netherlands, Poland and potentially the UK.
  • Testing and validation infrastructure can be relevant across almost all Phi-Labs if it helps move a technology toward a prototype, breadboard or demonstrator.

Practical next step

If you are considering a joint project, please contact ESA Technology Broker Czechia first. We can help you understand where your technology fits and how to approach the right ESA Phi-Lab opportunity.

Anna Ruscak — ruscak@tc.cz or Ondrej Simek — simek@tc.cz

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ESA Technology Broker Czechia Participated in Academia & Industry in Space Project III

ESA Technology Broker Czechia participated in the Academia & Industry in Space Projects III workshop in Brno, organised by the Czech Space Alliance and the Institute of Scientific Instruments of the Czech Academy of Sciences. All presentations are available here.

The programme brought together universities, research institutes and companies working on space missions, scientific instrumentation, advanced materials, optics, plasma technologies and aerospace engineering. For ESA Technology Broker Czechia, the event was especially useful because many of the presented topics had a clear connection to technology transfer: highly specialised research capabilities that can be applied not only in space, but also in industrial and terrestrial applications.

A strong part of the workshop was dedicated to concrete Czech involvement in current and future space missions. One of the most practical examples was the presentation by Jan Souček from the Institute of Atmospheric Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, who introduced work on a Fibre Switching Actuator Unit for the LISA mission.

LISA, the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna, is ESA’s future space-based gravitational-wave observatory. The Czech contribution is linked to the Fibre Switching Unit, which enables switching to backup laser systems in the mission’s optical architecture. This is a clear example of Czech research contributing to a demanding ESA mission through precision mechanisms and optical technologies.

Another important mission-oriented topic was QUVIK, presented by Norbert Werner from Masaryk University. QUVIK, the Quick Ultra-Violet Kilonovae Surveyor, is planned as the first Czech space telescope. Its scientific goal is to observe short-lived ultraviolet signals, including kilonovae following neutron-star mergers. Masaryk University leads the scientific part of the mission, while the project is led by the Czech Aerospace Research Centre, with partners including TOPTEC and PEKASAT.

The programme also included M-MATISSE, presented by David Píša from the Institute of Atmospheric Physics of the CAS. M-MATISSE is an ESA Medium-class M7 candidate mission focused on the Martian magnetosphere, atmosphere, ionosphere and space-weather environment. The mission is currently in ESA Phase A study and is designed to improve understanding of how the solar wind interacts with Mars. For Czech research teams, this type of mission creates opportunities in plasma physics, data analysis, instrumentation and planetary exploration.

Several presentations focused on future mission concepts and enabling technologies. Timo Prusti from Masaryk University presented GaiaNIR, a future near-infrared astrometry concept building on the scientific legacy of ESA’s Gaia mission. Benedikt Bergmann from Czech Technical University introduced EXPO, a proposed M-class mission concept, and also presented RADECS 2026, an international conference on radiation effects on components and systems. RADECS is highly relevant for space electronics, radiation monitoring, dosimetry, testing and reliability of components operating in harsh environments.

The workshop did not focus only on missions. It also presented technologies that are directly useful for industry. The programme included high-resolution UV spectroscopy for future space missions by Tereza Šerábková from Masaryk University, hyperspectral cameras for atmospheric plasma observation by Martin Ferus from the J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry, and high-enthalpy plasma spraying for functional coatings by Tomáš Tesař from the Institute of Plasma Physics of the CAS. These topics are relevant not only for space science, but also for advanced manufacturing, surface treatment, materials testing, environmental monitoring and industrial diagnostics.

The afternoon programme at the Institute of Scientific Instruments showed further practical capabilities: thermal radiative properties of space materials at cryogenic temperatures with Tomáš Králík, thermal conductivity measurements at cryogenic temperatures with Jiří Frolec, electron beam welding and vacuum brazing with Libor Dupák, femtosecond laser micromachining and spectroscopy system development with Lukáš Šilhan, and coherence optics with Jan Hrabina. These are exactly the kinds of capabilities that can support both space hardware development and non-space industrial applications.

The industry part of the programme also showed the breadth of Czech space companies. Short presentations were given by representatives of World from Space, Spacemanic, Frentech, 5M, BD Sensors, OHB Czechspace, esc Aerospace, Stratosyst and CHASM. The presence of these companies made the event useful not only as a research workshop, but also as a meeting point for possible project partners, suppliers and technology users.

As part of the programme, ESA Technology Broker Czechia from Technology Centre Prague presented examples of academic involvement in pilot projects focused on space-terrestrial technology transfer. The presentation introduced the broker role of and highlighted how academic results can be connected with companies looking for new technical solutions, and how terrestrial technologies can also find their way into space applications.

For ESA Technology Broker Czechia, the main value of the workshop was practical: it helped identify technologies, teams and capabilities that could be developed into future cooperation. Precision optics, laser systems, cryogenic measurements, radiation testing, plasma technologies, advanced coatings, UV spectroscopy, optical communication and aerospace engineering all have strong potential for technology transfer.

The workshop confirmed that Czechia has a growing base of academic and industrial expertise relevant to space. More importantly, it showed that many of these capabilities are ready to be discussed in practical terms: as mission contributions, testing services, engineering know-how, industrial applications or pilot projects.

We would like to thank the Czech Space Alliance and the Institute of Scientific Instruments of the Czech Academy of Sciences for organising the workshop and for creating a useful meeting place for Czech academia, research organisations and industry.

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Supporting Czech Scale-ups with Growth Opportunities

ESA Technology Broker Czechia at Technology Centre Prague, participated in the ESA ScaleUp Commercialisation Network Meeting 2026, held on 19–21 May in Seville. The meeting brought together ESA representatives, ESA Technology Brokers, ESA Phi-Labs, and ESA Business Incubation Centres. For the Czech innovation ecosystem, the meeting was highly valuable because it focused on a key question: how can European technology companies move from a validated product or service to real commercial growth?

This is a critical phase for many Czech companies. They may already have strong technology, first validation or a promising market direction, but they still need access to customers, investors, procurement opportunities, international partners and specialised acceleration support. The ESA ScaleUp ecosystem is designed to help companies bridge this gap.

Learning from European acceleration programmes

One of the key lessons from the meeting was that Europe offers many acceleration options, but companies need to choose the right programme for their stage (maturity level, TRL 4-6) and country. A key part of the programme focused on the European accelerators. The meeting presented different types of acceleration support available in Europe and discussed how they can help companies bridge the gap between technology validation and commercial growth.

The main types of accelerators discussed were:

1. Cohort-based business accelerators
These programmes provide structured mentoring, business development and access to networks. They are useful for companies that need intensive support with growth strategy, investor readiness and market positioning.

2. Public and quasi-public accelerators
These are often national, regional or EU-supported programmes. They can provide grants, technical support and access to public innovation networks, although application and reporting processes may be more complex.

3. Corporate accelerators
These are run by large companies and can help scale-ups access industrial customers, pilot projects and commercial partnerships. They are particularly useful when there is a clear strategic fit between the company’s technology and the corporate partner’s needs.

4. Space and deep-tech-specific accelerators
These programmes focus on specialised sectors such as space, aerospace, Earth observation, satellite technologies, advanced manufacturing, AI, robotics or deep tech. They are especially relevant for Czech companies working with advanced technologies that can be applied in space or transferred from space to terrestrial markets.

Investor access and ESA commercialisation tools

Another important topic was access to the financial community. ESA presented the development of its investor network, which includes more than 90 members from venture capital, private equity, institutional investment and debt financing. This network can help companies connect with investors who understand the specific needs of space and deep-tech businesses.

Participants also learned about ESA matchmaking tools that help connect companies with relevant investors from the ESA Investor Network. This is particularly useful for scale-ups looking for targeted funding opportunities rather than general investor outreach.

For Czech companies, this is valuable because it creates another route to European investors who are already familiar with ESA programmes, space technologies and the long development cycles often associated with deep-tech innovation.

Practical cases and the “acceleration gap”

The meeting also presented real company cases showing how businesses can move through the difficult phase between technical validation and commercial success. This phase is often described as the “acceleration gap”, where companies may have a promising technology but still need stronger customer access, investment readiness, procurement experience and scaling capabilities.

Participants heard examples of companies that used ESA support, investor networks, marketplace opportunities and acceleration programmes to move towards commercial growth. These cases are important for Czech companies because they show practical routes from technology maturity to market adoption.

Exchange with ESA Technology Brokers and Phi-Labs (ESA Φ-lab)

The event also provided an important opportunity for direct exchange among ESA Technology Brokers from across Europe. Today, the ESA Technology Broker network brings together around 25 brokers who support technology transfer between the space and non-space sectors through instruments such as ESA Spark Funding, Prepare for Space and ESA Harmonisation. These exchanges are valuable because brokers can share new use cases, successful technology transfer examples, collaboration models and lessons learned from different national markets.

ESA Technology Broker Czechia also gained updated insight into the ESA Phi-Lab network. ESA Phi-Labs support the maturation and commercialisation of innovative technologies through specialised hubs. Each Phi-Lab focuses on a specific technological area, such as robotics, AI, secure communications, Arctic applications or advanced hardware.

Country / ESA Phi-LabESA Phi-Lab focusDeadline
SwedenAI and edge computing; autonomous intelligent space systems.15 June 2026, 14:00
FinlandGeospatial innovation, including sensors, GIS computing, Earth observation, PNT and GNSS.7 September 2026
AustriaUpstream space innovation, including the industrialisation of space hardware and software.TBD
SwitzerlandDeep-tech innovation, including quantum technologies, data science and advanced materials.TBD
SpainSpace-based solutions for climate resilience.TBD
IrelandNext-generation space-optimised hardware.TBD
NetherlandsDownstream space data and technologies for resilient societies.TBD
Norway Space-enabled technologies addressing Arctic needs.TBD
PolandRobotics, AI and autonomy.TBD
United KingdomSpace-enabled sustainability, resilience and environmental sustainability.TBD

Why this meeting matters for Czech companies

Czech technology companies often have strong technical expertise, but they may face challenges when moving from a validated product or service to international commercial growth. The meeting addressed exactly this stage: the period when companies need first large customers, investor access, procurement opportunities, strategic partnerships and visibility in European markets.

For Czech scale-ups, this can mean support in areas such as:

  • finding customers and partners in other ESA Member States via ESA Matchmaking, or describring your profile on ESA Star, attending Space Tech Expo, Czech Space Week, info days about specific missions, attending EUSPA Industry Days, and actively using online matchmaking platforms.
  • accessing investors interested in space-related and deep-tech technologies,
  • using ESA networks to increase visibility via ESA Matchmaking, ESA Harmonisation,
  • identifying funding and procurement opportunities.

Thank you to ESA, AEE, the City of Seville, Indra, the Spanish Commercialisation Network and all members of the European network who made this week such a success. Photo: from Arribes LinkedIn.

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Connecting Italian Space Needs with Czech Technology Capabilities

The event, Space Meetings Veneto 2026, held on 11-13 May in Venice, brought together companies, technology providers, universities, and institutional actors from across the European space ecosystem, mostly Italy, Austria, and Poland. For ESA Technology Broker Czechia, the visit was an opportunity to map potential partners, understand technology needs directly from industry representatives, and open discussions on future Italian–Czech technology transfer in space and non-space.

The 2026 conference programme included an Investment Forum, the Space & UAV Suppliers Summit, workshop sessions (new launch systems, industrial procurement in space, space infrastructure security, cyber and quantum technologies, satellite technologies for maritime communications, and technology transfer between space and terrestrial sectors), the Space Food-Agritech Expo, and the Festival of Ideas.

A strong focus of the visit was placed on identifying technology needs where Czech companies, research organisations or testing facilities could provide value. Among the topics discussed were cooling qualification testing, integration of cooling subsystems, and potential cooperation with an Italian company active in heating element technologies, where know-how from adjacent sectors may support future space-related applications.

ESA Technology Broker Czechia also held discussions with APR S.r.l., which presented requirements related to high-pressure equipment, including the need for specific testing and validation capabilities. Such needs represent exactly the type of cross-sector challenge where ESA Technology Brokers can help connect companies with relevant expertise, facilities and partners.

The event also offered valuable insight into the Italian launch and student rocketry ecosystem. Discussions included representatives and projects such as THRUST, the hybrid rocket team connected with students from the University of Padova, Skywarder, and experimental rocket activities. These exchanges helped identify areas where academic innovation, engineering experimentation and industrial technology transfer could intersect.

Another promising meeting was held with Space It Up, including its technical project management perspective from Turin. The discussion opened space for future collaboration around research mapping, technology scouting and project development involving Italian and Czech stakeholders.

One of the most important outcomes of the visit was the meeting with STAM – Mastering Excellence, focused on planning future joint activities and exploring concrete areas of cooperation. ESA Technology Broker Czechia also discussed future coordination with Italian ESA Technology Brokers, with the aim of building stronger cross-border pipelines for technology needs, technology offers and joint innovation projects.

The visit further supported partner mapping in areas connected to research and development, including potential cooperation with reaseaching and research mapping with leading European institutions. These discussions are expected to contribute to a broader overview of Italian and Czech capabilities in space-related technologies, advanced engineering and industrial innovation.

Several Italian and Czech space companies were also part of the wider conversation, including well-known names such as S.A.B. Aerospace and Avio. The participant and exhibitor environment also included organisations such as Thales Alenia Space, OHB Italia, Leonardo, Telespazio, D-Orbit, CIRA, ALTEC, ASI – Italian Space Agency, Politecnico di Torino, University of Padova, and many other companies and institutions active in the European space value chain.

For ESA Technology Broker Czechia, Space Meetings Veneto 2026 confirmed the strong potential for Italian–Czech cooperation in technology transfer. The meetings showed that there is significant demand for specialised testing, subsystem integration, high-pressure validation, thermal management, launch-related engineering and cross-sector technology adaptation.

By attending the event in person, ESA Technology Broker Czechia strengthened its network with Italian partners, identified new technology needs, and laid the groundwork for future joint activities between Czech and Italian brokers, companies and research organisations. The next step will be to follow up on the most promising leads, map relevant Czech capabilities, and support the creation of practical cooperation opportunities with clear industrial and technological value.

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How to solve common problems with ESA Star registration

Due to strong interest in our previous workshop, ESA Technology Broker Czechia is preparing another online training session focused on ESA Star registration for new suppliers. This practical session is designed to help Czech companies understand the registration process, avoid common mistakes, and solve basic technical issues connected with ESA Star.

The training is especially useful for companies that are new to ESA procedures, procurement and tendering, as well as for those that have already started the registration process but got stuck at some point. The aim is to make the process easier, clearer and less stressful for first-time applicants.

Participants will learn the easiest path for first-time suppliers. The workshop materials explain that companies should usually begin with Light registration, then use ESA tools to find open opportunities, look for partners, and move to Full registration only when needed. This gives new suppliers a practical and manageable way to enter the ESA ecosystem.

The session will also cover the most common issues that applicants face during registration. These include choosing “Start” instead of “Resume” for a new registration, checking whether the company is already listed in the ESA Entities Directory, completing the nationality questionnaire, and using a supported browser such as Chrome, Firefox or Edge Chromium. The workshop also explains what to do if ESA sends the questionnaire back for corrections.

Participants will receive practical guidance on what information needs to be prepared in advance and which sections are required for Light registration, including entity details, locations, nationality questionnaire, entity type, and financial and staff basics. A useful tip from the materials is to use a generic company email address, for example info@company.com, during registration.

The training will take place online on 26 May, from 10:00 to 10:45. Participation is free of charge. You can register here: https://geform.tc.cz/ESA

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ESA Space Lab: A Fast Track for Companies to Validate Technology in Orbit — Without Fees or Heavy Administration

For many companies, getting a technology tested in orbit sounds like something reserved for large space primes with deep budgets, long timelines, and teams dedicated to contracts and compliance. ESA’s OPS-SAT Space Lab changes that picture.

ESA Technology Brokers were invited to a training session led by David Evans, the Head of OPS-SAT Space Lab. The programme gives European companies and institutions access to real in-orbit experimentation through ESA-supported missions, using reconfigurable space platforms designed specifically for testing new technologies in space. The service is intended to be fast, cost-free, and non-bureaucratic, allowing organisations to focus on the value of the experiment rather than on paperwork.

What makes the offer especially attractive from an industry perspective is the entry model. Experiments in OPS-SAT Space Lab are carried out with no charge, no contract, and no paperwork. The official FAQ also says the process is designed so that companies can concentrate on innovation while ESA takes on the risk associated with performing the experiments.

In practical terms, this means companies can validate their technology directly in the real conditions of a space mission without going through the kind of lengthy administrative process that is often a barrier to first flight opportunities. That is a significant advantage for organisations that already have a promising solution and now need credible in-orbit proof that it works.

For companies, the value is clear. An in-orbit demonstration can help verify real performance, raise the technology’s credibility, and create stronger references for future customers, investors, and commercial partners. ESA describes OPS-SAT Space Lab as a service for in-flight experimentation using powerful, reconfigurable space elements, including platforms that support standard software environments and advanced payload experimentation.

The opportunity is particularly relevant for organisations with technologies that are already mature enough to be tested in realistic operational conditions and that would benefit from rapid validation in space. This may include software, firmware, communications payloads, sensing concepts, imaging systems, and processing hardware, depending on the mission.

At present, ESA lists three OPS-SAT Space Lab missions open for experiment registration: OPS-SAT PRETTY, OPS-SAT VOLT, and OPS-SAT ORIOLE.

OPS-SAT PRETTY is available now and is especially relevant for on-board applications, firmware, SDR, and GNSS-related experiments. ESA says the mission offers a reconfigurable Linux-based processing platform, a configurable software-defined radio, and a GNSS receiver for in-orbit experimentation.

OPS-SAT VOLT is focused on optical and quantum communications, while also supporting experiments involving cameras, imagers, and FPGAs. ESA describes it as a mission dedicated to testing new optical and quantum communication technologies through reconfigurable payloads for in-orbit demonstration.

OPS-SAT ORIOLE is relevant for optical telecommunications, thermal infrared imaging, visible imaging, and smart optical or radio data-link concepts. ESA describes ORIOLE as a mission built around a hybrid optical telecommunication and thermal camera payload for in-orbit demonstration.

Registration itself is simply vie this webpage: https://opssat.esa.int/. The official OPS-SAT Space Lab registration page asks applicants to select a mission and submit basic information such as the experiment title, aim, description, and confidentiality status. ESA provides registration through the official programme website and lists Esoc-Ops-Sat@esa.int as the contact point for questions.

For companies, that combination is unusual and highly valuable: real in-orbit validation, access to ESA-supported missions, no participation fee, no contract burden, and a lightweight registration process. For many emerging technologies, this can be the step that turns a promising concept into a flight-proven solution with much stronger market credibility.

Companies interested in applying can register through the official OPS-SAT Space Lab website at opssat.esa.int. If needed, we are also happy to briefly discuss whether a given technology is a good fit for one of the currently available missions and help identify the most relevant option.

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ESA Technology Broker Czechia Actively Contributed at XIV Workshop on Passive Components and Sensors

On 9–10 April 2026, ESA Technology Broker Czechia and Technology Centre Prague took part in the XIV Workshop on Passive Components and Sensors in Jičín, hosted by HYDRA Jičín in cooperation with the European Passive Components Institute (EPCI). We gave a presentation, engaged in in-depth technical discussions with participants, and used the workshop to identify both technology needs and technology descriptions from non-space companies that may be relevant for future space applications or for space-enabled technology transfer. The event brought together an exceptionally strong mix of companies, research organisations and technology stakeholders from across the Czech innovation ecosystem, with more than 40 participants listed in the workshop materials and broad representation from industry, academia and R&D institutions.

The workshop created a highly valuable environment for discussing space technology transfer, advanced electronics, sensors, passive components, and emerging industrial applications. For ESA Technology Broker Czechia, the event was especially important because it helped identify terrestrial technologies with strong potential for future space applications. Among the most promising examples discussed was two-photon 3D nano printing, presented by IQS Nano as a technology capable of producing highly precise 3D microstructures with sub-micrometre detail, including directly on chips and components. The workshop materials describe this as a technology with application potential in passive components, sensors and photonic systems, making it highly relevant for future space-related use cases.

At the same time, the discussions also worked in the opposite direction: they helped uncover technology needs from industry that could potentially be solved through space-derived solutions. This included needs identified through exchanges with HYDRA and other participants from the electronics and sensor ecosystem. The workshop therefore served not only as a platform for showcasing innovation, but also as a practical matchmaking space between industrial demand and space-enabled technologies.

Another key outcome of the event was the opportunity to present what ESA Technology Broker Czechia can offer to Czech SMEs and researchers. Participation in Jičín made it possible to introduce the role of the brokerage mechanism in supporting technology transfer, commercialisation, and the connection of Czech innovators with opportunities linked to the European Space Agency. This was particularly relevant in a setting where companies and research teams were actively sharing current challenges, development priorities and future application directions.

The 2026 edition also stood out because of the very strong participation of companies and organisations. Overall, the workshop confirmed that cross-disciplinary meetings of this kind are essential for identifying new pathways where electronics, sensors, passive components, photonics, and advanced manufacturing technologies can intersect with the space sector. For ESA Technology Broker Czechia, it was a valuable opportunity to strengthen links with Czech industrial and research partners, gather concrete technology needs from the field, and explore high-potential innovations — including 3D nano printing — that may one day be applied in space.

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EUDIS Defence Hackathon in Brno: New Air Defence Ideas

The EUDIS Defence Hackathon in Brno brought together innovators, researchers, startups, defence professionals and technology partners for an intensive three-day programme focused on one of today’s most pressing security themes: Defending Airspace. Held from 26 to 28 March 2026, the Czech edition formed part of the wider European Commission initiative supported by DG DEFIS and funded by the European Defence Fund. In the Czech Republic, the event was organised locally by the University of Defence and JIC, combining defence expertise, research capacity and innovation support in one place.

A strong contribution came from Technology Centre Prague, which joined the hackathon as both a partner and mentor. Its involvement helped strengthen the event’s expert ecosystem, which connected participants not only with defence specialists and military representatives, but also with business and innovation mentors from across the partner network. The mentorship structure in Brno was built around three main perspectives: defence and military expertise, business and innovation support, and industrial know-how from partner companies and organisations.

What made the Brno edition particularly valuable was its clear thematic structure. Teams worked across three main challenge tracks. The first focused on a cost-effective drone interceptor, addressing shortages and high operational costs in counter-UAS defence. The second challenge targeted a next-generation drone detection system, with emphasis on faster detection, identification and neutralisation. The third track explored force protection against air threats, encouraging solutions that were mobile, rapidly deployable and scalable for the protection of troops and infrastructure.

Picture from Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space

The Czech winner of the EUDIS Defence Hackathon Spring 2026 was MALNUS, a two-person startup team developing decentralised communications, indoor localisation, and a low-cost autonomous interceptor rocket optimized for countering fibre-optic FPV drones. Their solution addressed the drone interception challenge by proposing a jamming-immune kinetic counter-UAS architecture that is rapidly deployable, operationally resilient in electromagnetically contested environments, and manufacturable at scale through 3D-printed components. In technical terms, the concept targets a critical capability gap in cost-effective terminal interception of low-signature, wire-guided aerial threats under real operational constraints.

The hackathon was not limited to presentations and theory. Organisers designed it as a hands-on prototyping environment, giving participants access to multirotors, fixed-wing aircraft, acoustic measurement systems, cameras, embedded platforms, PCB manufacturing, additive manufacturing tools and measurement systems. According to the mentor materials, teams could also benefit from demonstrations involving EO/IR imaging, passive radar systems, and drone detection and jamming capabilities, while selected flight testing was planned both on site in Brno and at testing grounds in Moravské Budějovice for larger drones. This practical setup made the event especially attractive for teams working on real technical validation rather than only conceptual pitches.

Another important strength of the Brno hackathon was the breadth of organisations involved. The strategic partner was Czechoslovak Group (CSG), while the broader partner ecosystem included public institutions, defence actors, clusters, technology companies and innovation organisations. Among the listed additional partners were the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic, ERA, Honeywell International, Saab Technologies, Dronetag, U&C UAS, VZLU Aerospace, Czech Aerospace Cluster, Brno Space Cluster, Defence Hub CzechInvest, and Technology Centre Prague, among others. This broad coalition reinforced the practical and cross-sector nature of the event.

The competition was also structured around clearly defined evaluation criteria, which give useful insight into what the organisers and jury considered most valuable. Progress carried the highest weight at 30 points, rewarding teams for how far they advanced their idea, solution or prototype during the hackathon and how convincingly they outlined future development. Relevance and Innovativeness were weighted at 25 points each, highlighting the importance of fit with the hackathon theme and the originality and value of the proposed solution for defence end-users. The final 20 points were assigned to Team quality, including defence, technical and business expertise, thematic understanding, commitment and presentation skills. These criteria show that the event valued not only bold ideas, but also execution, applicability and multidisciplinary team strength.

The Czech edition also offered concrete incentives. National prizes were set at €5,000 for first place, €3,000 for second place, and €2,000 for third place. Beyond the prize money, participants were offered access to online expert workshops, continued mentoring from industry and defence experts, and an onsite bootcamp with mentors, investors and key players from the European defence ecosystem. This extended support underlined that the hackathon was designed not merely as a competition, but as a launchpad for further development.

Set in Brno, a city presented by the organisers as a Central European hub of technology, research and startups, the hackathon benefited from a venue at the University of Defence that combined collaborative space with access to mechanical and electronics labs. This helped position the Czech round as more than just another innovation event: it became a place where defence needs, engineering talent, entrepreneurial thinking and strategic mentoring could meet under one roof.

With Technology Centre Prague contributing as both partner and mentor, the Brno edition demonstrated how valuable cross-sector cooperation is in defence innovation. By combining challenge-driven teamwork, real prototyping conditions, expert mentoring and strong institutional backing, the EUDIS Defence Hackathon in Brno showed how new ideas in air defence can move faster from concept toward practical application.

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Hands-on Workshop on ESA Star: Practical Troubleshooting and Q&A

ESA Technology Broker Czechia at the Technology Centre Prague invites Czech companies to join a short online workshop focused on ESA Star — the European Space Agency’s portal for company registration and access to selected ESA services and opportunities. The online workshop will take place on 22 April, 10:00–10:30, and will be held in Czech only. Registration is availabe under this form.

The Hands-on Workshop on ESA Star: Practical Troubleshooting and Q&A, will provide a practical introduction to esa-star Light, explain the most common issues users face, and offer clear guidance on how to solve them. Participants will learn how to navigate the system, what to check in typical situations, where to click, and how to proceed when something does not work as expected. There will also be time for open questions and practical tips based on real user experience.

The workshop will also explain the role of Light Registration within the broader ESA supplier framework. In ESA terms, Light Registration is the entry-level registration that gives a company access to esa-star services up to the proposal submission stage. For later contractual steps, Full Registration is required. This distinction is often misunderstood, so the training will address it directly and in context.

A substantial part of the session will be dedicated to troubleshooting. Participants will see typical cases related to registration, supplier access, incomplete profiles, and uncertainty about next steps in the system. The aim is simple: to make the platform easier to use by showing where to look, what to verify, and how to proceed systematically when something does not work.

There will also be time for questions from participants. Companies that are considering cooperation with ESA should find the session useful as a practical first orientation and as a way to avoid common mistakes early in the process.

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Technical Insights into AMPER 2026 – where Industrial Capability Meets Space Potential

AMPER 17-19.3.2026 in Brno was an industrial event in the full sense of the word: automation, control systems, cable assemblies, wireless communication, optical components, testing equipment, special-purpose machinery, and production know-how. For us at ESA Technology Broker Czechia, Technology Centre Prague, that matters more than any generic innovation narrative, because most technologies with real transfer potential into space do not start life inside a classic aerospace company. They start in factories, test labs, embedded systems teams, and specialised manufacturing environments.

Our role as ESA Technology Brokers is not just to identify technical capabilities that could survive the jump into a more demanding application domain — or, in the opposite direction, to identify where space-driven engineering can create value in terrestrial industry. In practice, that means looking beyond the exhibitor’s market label and focusing instead on the engineering substance: sensing, control architecture, reliability, materials behaviour, production tolerances, modularity, embedded integration, testability, and long-term operational stability.

This became very clear in conversations with Radek Balušek, representatives of ELAP, Josef Habart from OTAVA, Jan Rott and Leo Doseděl from the Union of Czech and Moravian Production Cooperatives, Helena Krutská from ECOGLASS, and Jan Vašta from MICRORISC. They pointed to several concrete technical areas that matter if you are thinking seriously about future space and dual-use applications: industrial automation, cable harnessing, coil production, optical design, precision glass forming, wireless mesh communication, embedded electronics, and industrial inspection systems.

Take ELAP. What they describe is not generic “automation” in the trade-fair sense, but a stack of capabilities that is technically interesting: control systems for machines and process units, custom production lines, inspection and testing equipment for quality assurance and dimensional stability verification, robotic and handling workstations, and special-purpose machines built to customer requirements. They also mention temperature-control systems, monitoring of operating-fluid consumption, and energy-saving process equipment. From a broker’s perspective, this is exactly the sort of portfolio that deserves a closer look. Not because it is already space-qualified, obviously, but because the engineering logic is relevant: closed-loop control, repeatable handling, special-purpose automation, process monitoring, and test systems are all areas where terrestrial know-how can sometimes be adapted into high-reliability environments.

OTAVA is interesting for a different reason. On paper, cable harnesses, coils, electromechanical parts and Bowden cables may sound less spectacular than AI or optics. In practice, this is where a lot of engineering credibility lives. OTAVA reports long-term manufacturing of cable assemblies, coils, electrical components and control cables, with annual coil output exceeding 700,000 units, and specifically highlighted new developments in cable harnesses and Bowden systems for electrical engineering, automotive and machinery applications. Harnessing, winding, electromechanical integration and repeatable small-part manufacturing are foundational capabilities. In aerospace and space systems, interconnection architecture, routing discipline, manufacturing repeatability and failure prevention are never “secondary”; they are mission-critical.

MICRORISC, represented by Jan Vašta, is technically one of the clearest examples of transfer-ready know-how. The company’s profile is explicit: wireless networks, R&D, custom electronics, and embedded integration built around the IQRF wireless mesh technology. MICRORISC describes IQRF as a complete technology stack for adding wireless connectivity and optionally internet connectivity to electronic products, with applications in smart lighting, smart cities, building and industrial automation, energy, logistics, monitoring and healthcare. Beyond that, the company also develops custom control panels, control units, specialised sensors, medical tools and embedded systems. This is important because the real asset here is not just one protocol or one product. It is competence in low-power wireless communication, networked embedded electronics, application-specific hardware design, and the integration of communication into constrained systems, all highly relevant when looking at distributed sensing, remote monitoring, infrastructure autonomy or intelligent subsystem integration.

The photo was taken during the last event.

ECOGLASS, with Helena Krutská, is a very different but equally relevant case. Here the core is precision moulded glass optics, especially for lighting applications. Publicly available descriptions point to aspherical lenses, TIR collimators, cavity lenses, Fresnel lenses, prisms, optics for automotive and airfield lighting, and optical components for harsh environments, combined with optical design, photometric measurement, prototyping and serial production. That combination matters. Designing optical performance is one thing; designing optical performance that is manufacturable, repeatable and economically scalable is another. ECOGLASS explicitly positions itself around that interface between optical design and manufacturability. From our point of view, this is exactly the sort of capability space projects often need but do not always develop in-house: robust optical parts with controlled geometry, known production behaviour, and an engineering team that understands both function and process.

The meetings with Jan Rott and Leo Doseděl from SČMVD added another important layer. The Union itself is not a technology developer in the narrow sense; it is an industrial structure that represents a broad base of Czech manufacturing cooperatives. But that is exactly why it matters. SČMVD represents around 180 member cooperatives across sectors including machinery, automated workstations, automotive, plastics and related industrial production. In other words, it is a map of latent capability. For a technology broker, that is strategically important, because space transfer often starts not with a finished “space company” but with a network of smaller manufacturers and specialised engineering firms that already know how to build difficult things well.

That is also why the academic side mattered so much in Brno. If AMPER showed the industrial base, then the Czech university ecosystem showed where deeper technical specialisation is moving. VŠB-TUO is a strong example: electronics, sensing, AI and human-spaceflight-related research combined in a way that is not theoretical. Their publicly described work includes nanorobot behaviour in microgravity and astronaut stress analysis using voice and sensor data. That is not “space branding”; it is a real combination of sensor fusion, signal analysis, AI-assisted evaluation and mission-relevant physiology.

Seen together, this is what AMPER 2026 really showed us. Czechia has a broad technical base that is already working on many of the right engineering problems: machine control, process automation, test equipment, optical design, embedded communication, cable systems, sensors, data acquisition, harsh-environment components, and specialised manufacturing. The missing step is often not invention. It is translation. Translation from one sector’s requirements into another sector’s application logic.

That translation is our job.

As ESA Technology Broker Czechia, we sit between two engineering cultures. One talks about supply chains, manufacturability and service life. The other talks about qualification, TRL, mission assurance, environmental resistance and system constraints. A good broker has to understand both languages well enough to know when a company’s technology is merely interesting — and when it is actually transferable. AMPER was valuable because it gave us real technical signals, not just promotional ones. It let us see where Czech industrial capability is already mature, where it is adaptable, and where a first serious conversation about space relevance can begin.