{"id":542323,"date":"2026-07-20T15:35:57","date_gmt":"2026-07-20T13:35:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/silicon-saxony.de\/dlr-and-bmftr-space-innovation-cup-seeking-ideas-for-satellite-based-drone-control\/"},"modified":"2026-07-20T15:35:57","modified_gmt":"2026-07-20T13:35:57","slug":"dlr-and-bmftr-space-innovation-cup-seeking-ideas-for-satellite-based-drone-control","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/silicon-saxony.de\/en\/dlr-and-bmftr-space-innovation-cup-seeking-ideas-for-satellite-based-drone-control\/","title":{"rendered":"DLR and BMFTR: Space Innovation Cup \u2013 Seeking Ideas for Satellite-Based Drone Control"},"content":{"rendered":"

     <\/p>\n

We are seeking robust, secure, and scalable technologies that enable high-performance satellite connectivity with the lowest possible weight, low energy consumption, and low costs. The goal is to open up new application possibilities while simultaneously strengthening the innovative power of the New Space scene.<\/p>\n

Participants will receive financial compensation for each phase of the competition, which can total up to 500,000 euros across all phases. An independent jury of selected experts will decide on participant eligibility and select the winner.<\/p>\n

Procedure and Conditions of Participation<\/h3>\n

The Space Innovation Cup is aimed at the New Space community, startups, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), research institutions, and established companies from the European Union. Applications from a consortium of multiple institutions or companies are permitted.<\/p>\n

The goal is to develop a solution for controlling small drones and ensuring stable data transmission via satellite at all times\u2014ideally without compromising flight time, energy efficiency, or payload capacity.<\/p>\n

The development is to be demonstrated using a functional end-to-end system that controls off-the-shelf drones via satellite and transmits data.<\/p>\n

Applications will be accepted until September 13, 2026.<\/b>Participants will then be selected from the applications to prove themselves in the following three project phases. An FAQ webinar will also be offered on July 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Background<\/h3>\n

The Space Innovation Cup is a multi-phase innovation competition organized by the Space Innovation Hub of the German Space Agency at DLR. It consists of selection rounds, pitch sessions, and phased funding. It is initiated and funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space (BMFTR). The Cup will be held for the first time in 2026.<\/p>\n

– – – – –<\/p>\n

Related Links<\/h4>\n

\ud83d\udc49 www.dlr.de<\/a>  
\ud83d\udc49 www.bmftr.bund.de<\/a>  
\ud83d\udc49 Space Innovation Cup<\/a>  <\/p>\n

Photo: Space Innovation Cup<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

July 17, 2026. Small drones are increasingly being used in industry, disaster response, and security-related applications. However, their potential applications are often limited by the restricted range of existing communication systems. The Space Innovation Cup, organized by the German Space Agency at the German Aerospace Center (DLR), therefore supports the development of innovative solutions for the reliable control and data transfer of small drones via satellite. The competition is initiated and funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space (BMFTR).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[4691],"tags":[11381,4842,11370,1952,250,2010,1954,1984,12989],"class_list":["post-542323","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-smart-systems-en","tag-automation","tag-connectivity","tag-custom-software","tag-electronics","tag-it","tag-manufacturing","tag-research-development","tag-robotics","tag-wireless-data-transmission"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nDLR and BMFTR: Space Innovation Cup \u2013 Seeking Ideas for Satellite-Based Drone Control - Silicon Saxony<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/silicon-saxony.de\/en\/dlr-and-bmftr-space-innovation-cup-seeking-ideas-for-satellite-based-drone-control\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"DLR and BMFTR: Space Innovation Cup \u2013 Seeking Ideas for Satellite-Based Drone Control - Silicon Saxony\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"July 17, 2026. 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