In 2014, ESA released an open invitation to tender for an activity encompassing software prototyping and mobile app development.

The contract was awarded to an international consortium led by Solenix Deutschland GmbH (DE) with TERRASIGNA Srl (former ASRC) (RO), GISAT s.r.o. (CZ), Progressive Systems Srl (IT) and Qualteh JR Srl (RO) as subcontractors. The framework contract will span over three years and host multiple individual projects.

The purpose of the contract is on one hand, to promote ESA's activities, and products in the Earth Observation domain to users, scientists and the general public in order to increase awareness and facilitate exploitation of the Earth Observation data. On the other hand the contract will serve as a mechanism to reduce technical risks in  the development of the Earth Observation Ground Segment by means of rapid prototyping for new concept and technology assessment.

All members of the consortium were really excited and motivated to start their activities in this contract.