Unlock the potential of space technologies for your organisation.
Secure up to €50,000 in EU funding for your project.
We support you from initial orientation to implementation.
Space technologies within reach
Space technologies are no longer reserved for space agencies. Thanks to open data, new infrastructures and European funding programmes, municipalities, research institutes, companies and NGOs can now use space-based technologies in their work.
Space technologies are changing how we observe, plan, decide and act — not in space, but here on Earth. Satellite data reveals changes in soils, water bodies and vegetation, while also enabling economic applications: organisations can identify supply chain risks, prioritise land for production or infrastructure, and make the energy performance of buildings visible.
In this way, economies can be steered more precisely, cities can be planned for climate resilience, infrastructure can be monitored, and humanitarian operations as well as disaster response can be better coordinated.
Spot opportunities and seize them: Which space-tech solutions align with your mission?
Many organisations underestimate how easily they can now access technologies, expertise and funding sources that were previously available only to a few.
What has been missing is clear guidance: Which space-tech solutions truly align with your mission? How can entry be supported, financed and developed in partnership? This is precisely where N3XTCODER steps in.
44 use cases demonstrating how space tech is already making an impact on Earth
To make space technologies tangible, it helps to look at concrete applications. The following 44 use cases illustrate where space tech is already contributing to the green and digital transformation, and how organisations are already benefiting from these opportunities.
Nature & Ecosystems
- Assess biodiversity: Satellites reveal which habitats are species-rich and where they are under threat.
- Measure carbon storage: Vegetation data makes it possible to see how much CO₂ forests, peatlands or seagrass meadows can capture and store.
- Monitor reforestation areas: Planting projects can be tracked and verified remotely, without the need for constant on-site presence.
- Detect invasive species: Sudden appearances of plants or pests can be identified early, before they threaten ecosystems.
- Identify illegal logging: Hidden deforestation can be detected and pursued by authorities.
- Prioritise land for conservation: Data helps pinpoint areas most suitable for acquisition, restoration or protection.
- Detect vegetation stress: Drought stress or nutrient deficiencies become visible before damage becomes irreversible.
- Quantify blue carbon: Mangroves and coastal ecosystems can be evaluated for their carbon storage potential.
Image: Biodiversity Hotspots in the Okavango Delta by Sylva (Germany)
Agriculture & Food
- Predict pest risks: Satellites reveal stress signatures in crops before infestations become visible.
- Monitor crop growth: Data on leaf area, chlorophyll and water status supports yield forecasts.
- Target fertilisation: Variable-rate maps help apply fertiliser or seeds only where needed.
- Plan irrigation efficiently: Water usage can be aligned with actual soil and plant requirements.
- Optimise soil sampling: Vegetation and soil signatures make targeted sample collection easier.
- Optimise harvest timing: Temperature and growth data help predict the best harvest windows.
Image: Crop Monitoring by DynaCrop (Czech Republic)
Wald und Forstwirtschaft
- Classify tree species: Multispectral analyses reveal which tree species dominate in which regions.
- Assess wildfire risks: Temperature and vegetation data support planning and prevention measures.
- Detect drought and water stress: Forests can be monitored at scale for vitality and climate-related damage.
- Identify forest pests: Canopy damage and stress patterns enable early detection.
- Monitor forest areas long-term: Forest management can be tracked remotely over decades.
Image: Tree species classification for Germany by Geo Engine GmbH (Germany)
Wasser und Katastrophenschutz
- Map flood-prone areas: Heavy rainfall or flooding reveals which areas are affected.
- Monitor water resources: Surface water, groundwater and river regimes can be analysed spatially and over time.
- Predict droughts: Vegetation and soil moisture provide early indicators of extreme dry periods.
- Simulate hydrological scenarios: Models help assess risks more accurately and plan protective measures.
Image: Flood assessment in Morocco by Space4Good (Netherlands)
Energy & Sustainability
- Identify rooftop potential: Roofs can be analysed automatically for suitability for solar panels or green roofs.
- Optimise wind and solar farms: Vegetation, soiling and shading affect energy yield and can be assessed remotely.
- Visualise building energy efficiency: Thermal imagery at night reveals where energy is being lost.
Image: Roof Potential Map for Rotterdam by Space4Good (Netherlands)
Klima und Nachhaltigkeits-Compliance
- Verify carbon credits: Nature-based climate projects can be measured and validated.
- Assess nature-based projects: Restoration strategies, such as reforestation or rewetting, can be monitored.
- Prioritise land areas: Data helps identify regions most suitable for acquisition, restoration or protection.
- Identify supply chain risks: Deforestation, water scarcity or land-use change become visible early.
- Automate regulatory reporting: Data facilitates ESG, CSRD or sustainability reporting.
Image: Land Acquisition Prioritization in North Carolina by Sylva (Germany)
Urban & Society
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Map urban trees: City trees can be counted, categorised and assessed for vitality.
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Analyse urban heat islands: Thermal data shows where cities overheat and where interventions are needed.
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Visualise light pollution: Festivals, research and conservation benefit from precise data on nocturnal light.
Model urban climate: Temperature, vegetation and building density inform climate adaptation and urban planning.
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Manage tourism impact: Satellite and Earth observation data help monitor and manage tourism effects on local ecosystems, making changes in vegetation, coastal zones, pathways or sensitive natural areas visible.
Image: Heat Islands Analysis of Milano by constellr (Germany)
Infrastructure, Construction & Geotechnics
- Measure settlements and deformations: Infrastructure such as bridges, tunnels or dams can be monitored with millimetre precision.
- Monitor archaeological sites: Satellite imagery allows historic structures — temples, tombs or pyramids — to be monitored for settlement, erosion or structural changes without invasive interventions.
- Detect landslides: Unstable slopes can be identified before damage occurs.
- Monitor mining operations: Subsidence and deformations over minefields become visible and manageable.
- Construction site monitoring: Data supports cost control, risk management and project execution.
Image: Giza Pyramids Monitoring by Astro42 (England)
Humanitäre Hilfe & Geopolitik
- Conduct post-conflict assessments: Infrastructure, damage and hazards can be documented from orbit.
- Coordinate refugee camps: Supply, water and energy needs can be planned without being on-site.
- Monitor sanitation infrastructure: Provision in camps or projects can be verified remotely.
- Track land-use changes: Conflicts or crises leave patterns that can be observed from afar.
Image: Latrine Infrastructure Monitoring in Uganda by Space4Good B.V. (Netherlands)
European Funding for SMEs: The FIERCE Programme
Turning potential use cases into real solutions and pilot projects requires access to funding, expertise and partners.
Through the FIERCE programme, the EU supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups across Europe in integrating space technologies into sustainable business models and leveraging the green and digital transformation.
As an official EU FIERCE service provider, we enable SMEs and startups to fund our support through EU FIERCE resources, helping them take space-tech projects from concept to implementation quickly and with financial backing.
Programme duration: 2024–2027
Funding for up to 70 SMEs, startups and scaleups: Up to €50,000 per project
Grüne Lösungen entwickeln
FIERCE targets SMEs and startups that want to leverage space technologies to develop new green solutions or enhance existing ones. The programme funds collaboration with external service providers who can help design, scale or bring space-tech-based products, services or processes to market readiness.
At the heart of FIERCE are so-called “green solutions” — products, services or processes that use space-tech data such as Earth observation (EO), remote sensing or satellite navigation to reduce the ecological footprint of a company or its users. This impact can be achieved directly within the organisation (for example, through more efficient use of resources, energy or raw materials) or indirectly through new offerings that enable improved environmental or climate outcomes.
Application Process
How to apply for FIERCE
- Register on the Onepass application platform.
- Request service and cost proposals via the Service Provider Catalogue
- Submit your application including the proposals from your chosen service providers.
Considering applying or need help preparing your application?
Book a 20-minute video call with our co-founder and CEO, Simon Stegemann, and learn how we can support you throughout the application process.
Space Tech Meetup in Berlin
Starting in February, N3XTCODER will host the Space Tech Meetup at Spielfeld Digital Hub Berlin. Our meetup is the ideal first point of contact for organisations interested in the FIERCE programme and keen to explore the potential of space technologies.
The exclusive format is intentionally limited to around 30 participants to enable peer-level exchange, advice and networking.
In inspiring sessions, we present concrete use cases demonstrating how space technologies are already being applied on Earth.
At each meetup, official EU FIERCE service providers showcase their offerings, which can be funded through the programme and utilised for pilot projects.
The meetups are scheduled to align with the FIERCE programme application windows. After each meetup, there are at least six weeks until the application deadline — providing ample time for thorough preparation and submission.
Agenda for the Next Meetup
14:00: Welcome
14:30: Introduction to the EU FIERCE Programme
15:00: Solution Provider 1
15:20: Solution Provider 2
15:40: Solution Provider 3
16:00: Networking / Get-together
Solution Providers
Our 44 space-tech use cases come from official EU FIERCE service providers. For each meetup, we invite a selection of these service providers to participate.
CASSINI Hackathons
In addition to our Space Tech Meetup, the biannual CASSINI Hackathons organised by the European Commission offer another low-threshold entry point into the space-tech sector.
The hackathons focus on rotating themes that address the EU’s sustainability and digitalisation goals. For several years, N3XTCODER has been part of this ecosystem, actively shaping the formats in Germany.
The hackathons link Europe’s space infrastructure with real-world challenges from business, society and the environment. Organisations can submit their own challenges, which are tackled by interdisciplinary teams of developers, designers and data scientists and transformed into initial solution concepts.
N3XTCODER has organised over 25 hackathons
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Take a look at some of our past CASSINI Hackathons:
Connecting the Arctic
At the 2nd CASSINI Hackathon, “Connecting the Arctic,” in November 2021, we brought the pan-European competition to Berlin. With European support, participants at Spielfeld Digital Hub developed solutions to protect sensitive ecosystems, in collaboration with WWF Germany and LT&C
Space for International Development & Humanitarian Aid
The 6th CASSINI Hackathon in Munich used EU open-source Earth observation data for humanitarian aid and international development. Over 80 experts worked at the Deutsches Museum on digital tools for humanitarian and development applications.
Space for Consumer Experience
The 10th CASSINI Hackathon in November 2025 brought together developers, designers, data scientists and students from across Europe to create solutions using Copernicus, Galileo and EGNOS data in tourism, gaming, sports and society.
Why N3XTCODER is Germany’s Leading Space Tech Agency
At N3XTCODER, we have been developing digital solutions for global challenges for 10 years, working with leading partners from the tech industry, civil society and the public sector. Along our journey, we have built strong partnerships in technology, social innovation and scientific research, creating a diverse global network of changemakers. Our mission: Tech with purpose. Tech for good.
- 25 hackathons organised since 2016, including 5 years as part of the CASSINI Hackathons
- Over 10,000 participants at more than 200 impact events
- Official service provider in the EU FIERCE programme
Get in touch and discover how space technologies can transform your organisation
Simon Stegemann
Co-Founder and CEO
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