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Microgravity & Life Sciences
Experimentation in orbit and its translation into research and industrial value on the ground, from biology and materials to pharmaceutical processes.
Explore domainSSIP® · Independent Swiss non-profit · Lucerne
Applied innovation across microgravity, orbital infrastructure and deep tech.
Focus areas: where SSIP concentrates its work
Five technological domains
Scene 03 · SSIP ATLAS
The intelligence layer of the ecosystem.
01 · Structure
Five planes of structured knowledge: who, what, where, which project, which opportunity.
02 · Relationships
Entities are linked across planes — an organisation to its capabilities, a capability to the infrastructure it needs.
03 · Value chains
Supplier tiers and international supply corridors become visible from component to mission.
04 · Query
A single question traces a qualified path through all five planes.
Industrial value chain
Tier-3 supplier
Tier-2
Tier-1
Integrator
Mission
Discover SSIP ATLAS Conceptual visualisation · synthetic data
Example query
Synthetic demo data
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Capabilities0
Infra paths0
Projects0
Discover SSIP ATLASConceptual · synthetic data
§ 04What SSIP does
A neutral platform for building and executing applied innovation projects.
Connect
Bringing the right organisations into the same room.
SSIP identifies and introduces industrial, academic and institutional actors whose capabilities are complementary, across Switzerland and internationally.
SSIP operates between organisations rather than inside them. Our role is to make collaboration possible, structured and credible, from first contact to a project that can actually be delivered.
- 01 Connect. Bringing the right organisations into the same room. SSIP identifies and introduces industrial, academic and institutional actors whose capabilities are complementary, across Switzerland and internationally.
- 02 Structure. Turning intent into a workable project. We help define scope, roles, contributions and governance so that a collaboration can be assessed, funded and executed rather than remaining a conversation.
- 03 Validate. Testing feasibility before commitment. Technical, operational and ecosystem feasibility are reviewed with partners, so that assumptions are challenged early and the pathway forward is realistic.
- 04 Accelerate. Reducing the distance to execution. SSIP shortens the route from concept to pilot by coordinating access to expertise, infrastructure, platforms and international counterparts.
§ 05Programmes
Structured initiatives, each with a defined purpose.
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Ecosystem intelligence
SSIP ATLAS
Independent ecosystem intelligence for the space and deep-tech economy: organisations, capabilities, infrastructure and opportunities.
Visit programme- SSIP programmes are the operational form of the platform: distinct initiatives with their own scope, partners and outcomes, coordinated under one institutional framework.
- SSIP ATLAS: Ecosystem intelligence. Independent ecosystem intelligence for the space and deep-tech economy: organisations, capabilities, infrastructure and opportunities.
- SPACE BIODISTRICT: Life sciences and microgravity ecosystem. An independent ecosystem initiative coordinated by SSIP in Lucerne, where life sciences meet the orbital economy.
- MICROGRAVITY: Research, experimentation and commercial pathways. Experiment development, flight platform access and the industrial pathway that follows the first mission.
- ORBITAL INFRASTRUCTURE & LOGISTICS: Infrastructure, mobility, servicing and mission readiness. Connecting Swiss industrial and research capabilities with emerging international orbital infrastructure and logistics ecosystems.
- UNIVERSUM: Exploration and applied innovation. Connecting knowledge, organisations and opportunities across space, deep tech and life sciences.
- SWISS HACKATHON: Talent and challenge-driven innovation. Talent, industry and research working three days on real space, deep-tech and industrial challenges.
- NASA SPACE APPS CHALLENGE LUCERNE: Global innovation and open science. Connecting global NASA open-data challenges with Switzerland's engineering, scientific and creative talent. Returning to Lucerne for its second consecutive local edition on 14–15 November 2026.
§ 06How we work
A defined method, not an open-ended conversation.
Every SSIP engagement follows the same sequence, so partners know what is expected of them at each stage and where a project stands.
Identify
A challenge, capability gap or opportunity is defined together with the organisation raising it.
Output
Defined problem statement.
- Every SSIP engagement follows the same sequence, so partners know what is expected of them at each stage and where a project stands.
- 01 Identify. A challenge, capability gap or opportunity is defined together with the organisation raising it. Output: Defined problem statement.
- 02 Convene. SSIP assembles the relevant industrial, research and institutional counterparts around that question. Output: Assembled working group.
- 03 Frame. Scope, contributions, governance and success criteria are defined so the project can be assessed. Output: Defined project framework.
- 04 Pilot. A bounded pilot or feasibility activity tests the concept under realistic technical and operational conditions. Output: Evidence from a bounded pilot.
- 05 Transfer. Results, partners and next steps are handed to the organisations that will carry the work forward. Output: Handover to the carrying organisations.
§ 07Ecosystem
Built with industry, research and international partners.
SSIP works with academic institutions, industrial companies, foundations and international organisations. Partnership means a defined working relationship, not an endorsement.
§ 08Newsroom
Latest from SSIP
September Review · Space Economy · International Partnerships16 October 2026September Changed the Conversation: How SSIP Is Turning an India–Switzerland Space Network Into an Industrial Ecosystem
From Bengaluru’s commercial space sector to Switzerland’s life-sciences and engineering industries, September brought SSIP’s international relationships into sharper industrial focus. The emergence of independent venture Cellestia Space in October raises the next question: how can collaboration become qualified technologies, credible research and projects that can actually be delivered?
Space Economy · Innovation · Artificial Intelligence · STEM15 October 2026Lucerne Is Joining NASA's Global Innovation Challenge Again. The Bigger Story Is What Happens to the Talent Afterwards.
For the second consecutive year, NASA Space Apps Challenge returns to Lucerne, connecting Switzerland's engineers, scientists, developers and creative minds with a global innovation community. As the 2026 edition turns its attention towards the Moon, Mars and the next frontier of exploration, the event raises a wider question: how can a weekend of open innovation help develop the skills and connections that tomorrow's space industry needs?
Space Biotechnology · Pharmaceutical Industry · UK–Switzerland Cooperation15 October 2026The Pharmaceutical Industry Has a Question for Space: Where Is the Evidence?
An important new UK–Swiss report is challenging the emerging space biotechnology industry to move beyond scientific promise. The message is clear: before pharmaceutical companies commit significant resources to microgravity research, they need convincing evidence, credible development pathways and a business case that stands up to scrutiny.
§ 09Work with SSIP
Three ways to engage with the platform.
01
Industry
Access complementary capabilities, research partners and structured pilot projects.
Start a collaboration02
Research
Translate research capability into applied projects with industrial and international counterparts.
Discuss a project03
International partners
Establish a reliable entry point into the Swiss space, deep-tech and life sciences ecosystem.
Contact SSIP