DEEP TECH, ROBOTICS AND SPACE ECONOMY

The main goal of the course is to provide a comprehensive outlook of the Space economy sector with a special focus on space technologies, especially Earth observation, as tools for improving economic and business solutions on Earth. Students will learn notions of planning, finance, law, economy, business models, deep tech solutions and innovations through a hands-on approach. The final goal is to support an entry-level of the student to the new space economy ecosystem. This can form the basis to build professional skills in the space sector, as well as to evaluate technical, social, economic and juridical impact of the space technologies and to assess potential risk/opportunities connected to their use. In addition, the course develops students’ practical capacity to translate space-enabled, deep-tech and robotics-based ideas into structured Research and Innovation project proposals. Through a project-based approach, students will learn how to interpret call topics, define objectives, map stakeholders and consortia, analyse the state of the art, design methodologies, assess impacts, structure workplans and prepare budget logic. The final output of the course is a structured Horizon Europe proposal and final pitch based on a space, deep-tech or robotics-related project idea.

No technical prerequisite is required. A STEM background is not a prerequisite. A genuine interest to tech business models, finance for innovation and international context is essential. All concepts necessary for understanding the discipline will be provided during the course. English language proficiency is required, as all course materials, assignments, and the final project are in English.

The course provides students with some fundamental knowledge of space technologies, the Space Economy ecosystem, and key categories of deep tech, including AI/ML, robotics, autonomous systems, advanced materials, advanced manufacturing and quantum technologies. Students will also acquire introductory knowledge of finance, economics, international law, business models and the Horizon Europe funding architecture, with particular attention to Research and Innovation projects related to space, digital and industrial technologies. Applications and practical understanding: Students will have the opportunity to put into practice some of the knowledge acquired during the course with practical cases and group work. Application exercises are carried out. Making judgments: Students will be able to assess the main tools, approaches, and players of the space economy ecosystem and acquires a sufficient level of understanding about business models validated in/for/from space economy and will be able to evaluate the fit between a project idea and a Horizon Europe call topic. Students will be able to identify the consortium, impact and methodology requirements needed to develop a credible proposal, while assessing the advantages and risks of space technologies in different application/economic fields connected and/or related to sustainability, Earth observation and climate change. Communications Skills: By the end of the course, students will be familiar with both deep tech/space economy vocabulary and EU project language. They will be able to communicate a technology-driven project idea, prepare the core sections of a Horizon Europe proposal, and pitch their project idea. Learning skills: Students will develop practical skills in analysing technology trends, interpreting funding opportunities, working in multidisciplinary groups, structuring complex innovation projects and translating advanced technological concepts into realistic implementation roadmaps.

The course will be project-based and structured around the development of a Horizon Europe project proposal in the fields of Space Economy, deep tech and robotics. This means that students will acquire the tools to perform state-of-the-art analyses focusing in technical analyses and ecosystem impact mapping. The thematic content, covering deep tech, robotics, AI, advanced materials, and the space economy, is introduced each week as the knowledge layer that directly informs the corresponding section of the proposal being built. More specifically, students will have to imagine aims and objectives and concrete interventions necessary to reach the selected aims and objectives. For this reason, students will also acquire actor-mapping and engagement techniques elaborating the necessary tools to acquire the selected scopes. Students will also understand how to craft a realistic roadmap. Lastly, within the course, students will be assisted in elaborating a real case final-project. --- The evolution of the international, European and national space sector and its major institutional and private stakeholders. Space economy, Space technology and Space law as new opportunities for growth and sustainability. The space ecosystem: new trends, business models, opportunities, risks and effects on society. Basic knowledge of satellites, scientific space missions, applications and space related services. Basic knowledge of space economy parameters, funding sources, metrics. On the practical side, students will work step by step on the development of a project proposal. They will learn how to define aims and objectives, identify concrete interventions, map relevant actors and stakeholders, structure a consortium, analyse the state of the art, assess technological maturity and market readiness, design a methodology, define expected results and impacts, and craft a realistic implementation roadmap. Students will also acquire basic knowledge of the Horizon Europe architecture, including calls, topics, expected outcomes, scope, Project Canvas, SMART objectives, work packages, deliverables, milestones, GANTT and PERT charts, budgeting logic, and pitch preparation.

The course does not foresee one handbook or book. Every week and for every topic addressed, the course instructor will share slides and suggested readings contents to the class. Materials will be uploaded on the MyLuiss platform. Examples of potential readings/media are: - EUSPA EO and GNSS Market Report 2024 - The future of the European space sector, EIB 2019 - Start-Up Space Report 2023, Brycetech

Visual presentations, interactive classes, self-evaluation tests, seminars and meetings with industrial and new space economy leaders. The course will be partially frontal lectures discussing methodologies and theoretical aspects, and partially a practical workshop in which the students are expected to complete classwork and discuss their own project development.

Oral or written examination and final group project. The students will be evaluated based on: - level of engagement in the lecture - quality of the coursework and the final presentation - Oral or written examination

Students/groups of students will be asked to select a subject from lectures content and to join a working group to test their knowledge and maturity in elaborating new skills. By choice based on personal interest. Assigned by the lecturer if no workable preference is available.