Call comes as Luxembourg sets up website for national research efforts
The European and Italian Space Agencies are seeking innovative ways to use satellites against the Covid-19 pandemic in Europe and in particular in Italy, where it has so far claimed more than 13,000 lives.
“We believe that, in this emergency, space, now more than ever, has to be put at the service of everyone,” the president of the Italian Space Agency Giorgio Saccoccia said.
Through ESA, his agency is offering €2.5 million and free satellite access to Italian companies that can make the best use of them. Capabilities include satellite communications, Earth observation and satellite navigation.
In other national efforts, the body representing research funders in Luxembourg has set up a website to better coordinate work on Covid-19 in the country. Luxembourg’s National Research Fund is about to unveil a dedicated research programme to combat the disease, which has killed 29 people in the country.