WAVESS project,lead by Spascat, selected for Phi-LabNET Spain

ESA Phi-LabNET Spain has announced the results of its first research projects funding call. The Phi-LabNET Spain programme of the European Space Agency (ESA) aims to drive innovation for the commercialisation of space technologies to enhance climate resilience and is supported by the Spanish Space Agency (AEE) and the Generalitat de Catalunya.

One of the selected projects has been “WAVESS”, by Spascat.

WAVESS – Waterbody Assessment and Verification fusing Earth observation and Seabot Surveying project

WAVESS focuses on improving the way we map and monitor Mediterranean shores and other water bodies. By combining Earth Observation data with real-time measurements collected by Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs), WAVESS offers a scalable and cost-efficient solution for generating bathymetric and environmental maps with high accuracy. This fusion approach addresses the limitations of satellite-only monitoring and the high cost of traditional field surveys, supporting better management of challenges such as sediment concentration, cost-effectively and at scale.

The project is led by Spascat, specialised in EO-based solutions, in partnership with GPA Seabots, experts in on-field waterbody surveying, and CTTC, a leading research centre in telecommunications and algorithm development.

ESA Phi-LabNET Spain

The initiative is part of the ESA’s ScaleUp Programme and is coordinated by the Institut d’Estudis Espacials de Catalunya (IEEC), as leader of a consortium formed by the i2CAT Foundation, the Cartographic and Geological Institute of Catalonia (ICGC), the Fundación General CSIC, the KIMbcn Foundation, Arribes Enlightenment, the University of Valencia (UVEG), the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC), the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC-CNS), the Ricardo Valle Institute of Innovation Foundation (INNOVA IRV), the ESA MELiSSA Pilot Plant of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), and the Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO).

ESA’s Phi-LabNET centres create a dynamic network of centres across Europe focused on innovation, and whose results can be transferred to the market. Its main mission is to accelerate the future of the space sector, both upstream and downstream, based on innovation projects with high commercial potential that transform or create industrial fabrics through new technologies.

ESA Phi-LabNET Spain, located in Barcelona, supports innovative and disruptive projects focused on improving climate resilience through calls managed by the coordinating consortium. This first cut-off date was open to companies, research organisations, and startups, and remained open until January 21st 2025.

Following the evaluation and selection process carried out by the Phi-LabNET Spain’s Evaluation Board, these are the projects selected in this first cut-off date:

• WAVESS – Waterbody Assessment and Verification fusing Earth observation and Seabot Surveying project led by Spascat Technologies S.L.
• RESCAT – Resilience and Environmental Satellite monitoring for Climate Action and Transformation project led by isardSAT S.L.
• SKOP – Beyond the limits of Climate Intelligence project led by Geoskop SL.
• RISKCHAIN – Supply Chain Risk Simulator project led by EarthPulse S.L.

ESA Phi-LabNET Spain announces results of its first research projects funding call - ESA Phi Lab