Villigen/Paris - The European Space Agency (ESA) has inaugurated the European Space Deep-Tech Innovation Centre at Park Innovaare in Villigen in the Swiss canton of Aargau. It has been set up in close collaboration with the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) and aims to strengthen ties between the ESA and Switzerland.
(CONNECT) On 27 May, the ESA officially opened its European Space Deep-Tech Innovation Centre (ESDI). It “establishes and operates platforms for deep tech research in the fields of quantum, data and materials that unlock new markets and commercial opportunities, making tomorrow's technologies available for today's world,” explains Johann Richard, Head of ESDI, in a PSI press release.
The ESDI is located at the Park Innovaare in Villigen, which in turn is next door to the PSI. According to the press release, the new ESA Centre of Excellence was set up in close collaboration with the PSI: the institute is host of the Phi-Lab for earth observation, the first platform of the ESDI.
“At the Paul Scherrer Institute, we are proud to be the host of ESA Phi-Lab,” says its Director Christian Rüegg. “The European Space Deep-Tech Innovation Centre is a vital part of the strengthened ties between ESA and Switzerland.” By leveraging Switzerland's world-class research infrastructures and fostering interdisciplinary innovation, this collaboration will reportedly advance deep tech for space activities and transformative applications on Earth.
ESA’s Director General Josef Aschbacher also highlights the ESA’s new point of contact in Switzerland: “The inauguration of the European Space Deep-Tech Innovation Centre is a testimonial to ESA’s and Switzerland’s joint commitment to push innovation and drive economic growth.” He adds that the “ESDI will contribute to strengthening the European deep tech ecosystem and promoting Swiss and European leadership in this domain”. ce/mm
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