NATO selected 150 companies from 24 member countries of the Alliance to participate in 2026 year in the Defense Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic program (DIANA). Among them are more than two dozen companies, related to the space sector.
Each company will receive 100 000 euros of grant funding in the first phase of the program, which will start in January next year. Participants will also have access to over 200 test centers and training grounds for the development of double technologies (military and civilian) appointment. Companies, which will pass to the second phase, can receive additional funding to 300 000 euros to further demonstrate their decisions on one or more of the 10 NATO's key defense and security challenges.
One such challenge is "Sustainable Space Operations" (Resilient Space Operations). 10 NATO published a list of companies in December, selected under this category:
|
Company |
Description of the technology |
Country |
|
Adaptronics |
Universal energy-efficient electroadhesion technology for manipulating objects |
Italy |
|
Alba Orbital |
Smaller Earth remote sensing satellites for more frequent imaging |
Great Britain |
|
Applied Atomics |
Propulsion unit, that uses water as fuel |
Great Britain |
|
BruhnBruhn Innovation |
On-board computing equipment for the aerospace industry |
Sweden |
|
Capsule Corporation |
Move on water to simplify integration, testing and deployment of dual purpose satellites |
Italy |
|
Deep Space Energy |
Stable radioisotope power for satellite maneuvering and defense against non-kinetic threats |
Latvia |
|
Ecosmic |
Space traffic control system |
Italy |
|
Kreios Space |
Fuelless atmospheric propulsion system for ultra-low orbits (VLEO) |
PildoLabs |
|
Mithril Technologies |
Software-controlled satellite radar for enhanced space situational awareness |
USA |
|
Neuraspace |
An AI-based space defense platform for autonomous and protected orbital operations |
Portugal |
|
Space Power |
Lasers for recharging solar panels even without sunlight |
Great Britain |
|
Space Solar |
A collection of large modular space structures for awareness, energy and antennas |
Great Britain |
|
Spaceflux |
Predictive AI for sustainable space operations and strategic advantage |
Great Britain |
|
Spectra Defence |
Optical sensors for better understanding of objects and activity in orbit |
Great Britain |
|
WarpWare (ATTX) |
Characteristics of orbital debris in real time |
USA |
Space companies are also present in other categories. In particular, the American provider of geospatial solutions SkyFi - in the category "Decision-making
using data", and the Spanish operator of picosatellites FOSSA - in the category "Fighting
in the electromagnetic spectrum".
DIANA's mission is to find the most innovative companies, helping them develop their solutions and business, as well as the speedy transfer of the necessary technologies into the hands of NATO operators. According to the interim executive director of NATO DIANA, over the next year, these innovators will accelerate breakthrough technologies, which will help to change the way, in which the Alliance defends itself against current and future threats.
Source: https://spacenews.com