ESRIC celebrates five years of research and innovation in space resources

The European Space Resources Innovation Centre (ESRIC) is celebrating its fifth anniversary, marking five years since its launch as the world's first innovation centre dedicated to space resources. ESRIC's mission is to enable sustainable space exploration and lay the foundations for a future in-space economy.

Founded in 2020 by the Luxembourg Space Agency (LSA) and the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), with the European Space Agency (ESA) as strategic partner, ESRIC has become a key part of Luxembourg's long-term strategy to develop its space sector. Driven by the forward-looking SpaceResources.lu initiative, and backed by a general agreement signed last year between the Luxembourg government and LIST, ESRIC was created to create a strategic national capability that supports space exploration, fuels economic diversification, and positions Luxembourg at the heart of Europe's future in-space economy.

Based within LIST, ESRIC has grown to a team of thirty people leading activities across three core pillars: research, commercialisation and community. ESRIC's research programme, including funding from the Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR) to the ESRIC director under the PEARL programme, focuses on the sustainable and responsible use of space resources and the team is developing tools, technologies and knowledge that will enable the use of resources such as oxygen, metals and water on the Moon. In this dynamic sector, ESRIC supports start-ups and early-stage ventures with its unique incubator and accelerator programmes, in partnership with Technoport and ESA. Collaborating with a broad network of national and international experts, ESRIC has so far supported 32 companies through these programmes, with six relocating to Luxembourg as a direct result of their participation.

ESRIC also plays a critical role in bringing people together through the largest dedicated event for the community, the annual Space Resources Week conference. The 2025 edition, held in May, welcomed over 450 participants to Luxembourg from around the world, including delegates from space agencies, industry, start-ups, academia and research institutes, and many more organisations. The event continues to position ESRIC and Luxembourg at the centre of the global space resources community.

"As ESRIC turns five, we can be incredibly proud of what we've achieved as a team, together with the support of LSA, LIST and ESA,” said Kathryn Hadler, Director of ESRIC. "Space resources is an exciting and challenging domain that could transform space exploration and provide tangible benefits for Earth. This anniversary is a moment to celebrate the collaborations and support that have made ESRIC's achievements possible and to look forward to the next five years of continued growth.”

Looking ahead, ESRIC is expanding its facilities in Luxembourg, including the upcoming Dusty Thermal Vacuum Chamber developed with ESA funding, which will allow the community to test technologies under conditions similar to those on the Moon. The centre will continue to advance research, support entrepreneurs, and foster international collaboration, reinforcing Luxembourg's position as Europe's hub for sustainable space resources innovation.

ESA, as strategic partner, contributes to the establishment, operations and utilisation of ESRIC through its Terrae Novae exploration programme. Providing funds, equipment and technical contributions, the European Space Agency works in close coordination with the teams to support the development of the national space ecosystem.

About ESRIC


The European Space Resources Innovation Centre (ESRIC) is Europe's hub for sustainable space-resources research and innovation. Founded in 2020 by the Luxembourg Space Agency (LSA) and the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), and with the European Space Agency (ESA) as strategic partner, ESRIC has become a key part of Luxembourg's long-term space vision; one built on innovation, sustainability, and international cooperation.

About Terrae Novae

The Terrae Novae exploration programme groups ESA's exploration campaigns to low Earth orbit, the Moon, and Mars into a unified programme. The programme delivers the Explore2040 strategy based on a vision in which Europe will be at the forefront of a sustained, sustainable and responsible human and robotic space exploration by providing unique contributions and returning benefits to society. Space exploration is unquestionably an investment in future prosperity. It creates high quality jobs and produces immediate economic benefits. Exploration science and technology boosts innovation and makes industry more competitive.

Press release by the  Ministry of the Economy / Ministry of Research and Higher Education / Luxembourg Space Agency / Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology / Centre européen d'innovation en ressources spatiales