CASSINI in action: some space start-ups in the spotlight

CASSINI, the initiative for entrepreneurship launched by the European Commission and implemented by EUSPA, is built to turn promising ideas into viable space businesses. Two start-ups from Brno, Czech Republic - 3L Robotics and Zaitra - illustrate exactly what that looks like. One is putting satellite data to work in drone logistics while the other is rethinking how satellites handle data before it ever reaches the ground.

Running from 2021 to 2027, CASSINI supports entrepreneurs and SMEs across the full spectrum of the space sector, from nanosatellites and launchers to downstream products and services. It combines a EUR 1 billion seeds and growth fund with hackathons, prizes, mentoring, a business accelerator, partnering and matchmaking support.

3L Robotics and Zaitra show what that support looks like in practice.

Drones, robots and satellite data for smarter delivery

Founded in 2019, 3L Robotics has built an end-to-end platform that integrates drones, robotic dogs and AI-driven systems to optimise parcel logistics in controlled environments. The company designs bespoke delivery routes across client facilities, including dedicated helipads as landing points.

Space data is central to how the platform operates. Copernicus and Global Human Settlement Layer data support safe route planning, Galileo and EGNOS enable precise navigation for drones during final approach and landing, and SATCOM ensures connectivity in locations where ground networks fall short.

3L Robotics has been a consistent presence within the CASSINI ecosystem. The company won CASSINI Challenges 2023 in the prototype track category, participated in the CASSINI Business Accelerator and Entrepreneurship Days, joined the CASSINI Matchmaking network and attended the EU Space Academy.

'Being ranked among the top 10 prototypes by the CASSINI Challenges was an important validation of our technology's potential', says Lubos Lnenicka, Business and Product Development at 3L Robotics. 'The CASSINI Business Accelerator subsequently helped us get a clear grasp on our business model, the use of satellite data and our path towards real-world deployment.'

Zaitra: processing satellite data in orbit

Zaitra approaches the space value chain from the other end. Founded in 2020, the company develops AI-powered onboard data processing hardware and software that are integrated directly into satellites and satellite components. Rather than transmitting raw imagery to the ground for analysis, Zaitra's technology processes data while still in orbit. This significantly reduces the volume of data that needs to be downlinked, along with the cost and bandwidth constraints that have limited satellite operations.

With flight-proven technology, Zaitra has established itself as an upstream innovator within the European space sector. The company has participated in the CASSINI Business Accelerator and Entrepreneurship Days and is part of the CASSINI Matchmaking network.

Start your CASSINI journey

3L Robotics and Zaitra are concrete examples of commercially active, technically credible companies scaling with the support of EU Space services - and of CASSINI delivering on its mission to grow the European space economy.

Are you an entrepreneur or start-up with a space idea? Visit the EUSPA website to explore everything we can offer and join us for the CASSINI Entrepreneurship Days on 30 September and 1 October in Prague to meet more successful entrepreneurs who benefitted from CASSINI.

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