Artist rendition of Bartolomeo platform on the International Space Station. Photo: Airbus

Airbus will provide free payload space and expanded accss to hosting platforms and Earth observational data solutions to United Nations (UN) member states after signing a five-year, renewable Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA).

Airbus said the agreement will give UN member states the opportunity to participate in Earth observation, robotics, material science, and astrophysics experiments in microgravity using the operator’s Bartolomeo platform, which is attached to the European Columbus Module of the International Space Station (ISS).

The MOU also includes joint support for professional training programs covering the usage of Earth observation data for operational applications including flood modeling, forest degradation, and subsidence of urban areas in coastal regions.