The CASSINI initiative raised questions among the national delegations about its concrete implementation and its translation into different programmes, during the meeting of the EU Council’s Working Party on Space last Tuesday 19 October.
The European Commission came that day to give details on the CASSINI initiative, presented a year ago (see EUROPE 12443/7). It has put forward plans to organise ‘hackathons’ (twice a year in 10 cities each time) and ‘CASSINI prizes’ to develop new business ideas or ‘disruptive projects (thanks to the European Innovation Council and Horizon Europe).
The Commission detailed the programmes to develop and evaluate new technologies in real-life conditions, through the CASSINI In Orbit Demonstration and Validation initiatives. It also presented the CASSINI Seed and Growth Funding Facility to strengthen the financing of projects through venture capital funds (around €1 billion). Finally, it also advanced the CASSINI Matchmaking programme to facilitate contacts between investors and commercial actors. At the end, the institution is said to have asked the Member States to communicate to promote the activities foreseen in the CASSINI programme.
They were reportedly confused, some indicating that there was a lack of information about the hackathon calls for participation as the end of the year approached. Others are said to have wondered on what criteria cities were chosen for hackathons. Some States, such as Spain, have asked for clarification on how these programmes are funded. Germany reportedly insisted on cooperation with the European Space Agency (ESA).
On the lack of communication, the EU institution is said to have mentioned the idea of a one-stop shop with bilateral exchanges. The Commission said it hoped the financial instruments would be ready by the end of the year. Still on the subject of financing, the Commission specified that half would be financed from the Copernicus budget and the other half from Galileo.
As for the selection of cities for the hackathons, the Commission explained that the decision would be taken in agreement with the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA). Finally, cooperation with ESA will be excellent, the institution reportedly assured, especially on incubator projects. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)