Head of the European Space Agency's OPS-SAT laboratory praises the success of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences student Rodrigo Laurinovičs
April 25, 2023
Following the success of Rodrigo Laurinovičs, a student of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences’s study programme "Electronics Engineering", during his time at the European Space Agency, we wanted to learn more about Rodrigo's daily life and how he is fitting into the team. Last month, Rodrigo Laurinovičs received the International SpaceOps Award for Outstanding Achievement with the European Space Agency's (ESA) OPS-SAT team. In this interview, David Evans, Head of the OPS-SAT laboratory, talks about Rodrigo's daily life and his determination to succeed with ESA.
What is Rodrigo’s position in ESA?
Rodrigo works in our team to acquire knowledge and experience to add value to his company when he returns. He is the first person at ESOC to use such a mechanism, so everything was new to him and to us at the beginning! He will stay with us for at least one year and hopefully two.
What is he like as a part of your team?
He is a very likeable character and works incredibly hard. One of his best qualities (which played a significant role in his recruitment) is his ability to have a go at anything and give it everything. Even if he had little experience of the operational environment to begin with, he quickly became indispensable to the team gaining very deep and specialised knowledge in some difficult areas. At the same time, he is willing to share and spread that knowledge among the other team members and in fact the OPS-SAT experimenters. The team is very close knit and he has integrated without problems.
How do you see his accomplished work?
He has evolved into a very accomplished operations engineer in his time with us. Working on a real spacecraft implementing cutting edge technologies such as in-orbit FPGA reprogramming is risky work. To be successful you need a mixture of bravery and caution in equal measure and Rodrigo certainly has that. I have been able to leave him in charge to perform recovery actions or complicated experiments on the live satellite without reserve, something that not everyone attains. As an example, we recently experienced a major anomaly on the file system of the experimental processor. In a typical style, Rodrigo assumed responsibility for testing and implementing the technically complex solution we needed to workaround the problem. This was not easy and required many hours of testing, many ending with dead-ends, until he finally came up with an operationally practical solution. I will always be grateful for that.
How will he benefit from this type of experience in the future?
His main specialisation is reprogramming the FPGA fabric in orbit. OPS-SAT has proved this to be an extremely powerful tool for spacecraft operators. It is at the core of OPS-SAT innovation as we are the first ESA spacecraft to fly and experiment with such a unit. We have learnt that the technology is potent but needs to be handled carefully as you are actually reconfiguring the hardware of the processor in orbit. I am convinced that once this technology is mastered then it will cause a similar revolution as the rise of on-board software did in my career. The skills that Rodrigo has already obtained on OPS-SAT are going to make him very valuable and sought after in the near future.
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We are pleased to invite you to participate in the VIRAC Summer School on Pulsar Observations at Centimetre and Metre Wavelengths: Ventspils, Latvia |September 8–19, 2025 This intensive and inspiring summer school is designed for Master’s students, PhD candidates, and early-career researchers in astronomy and astrophysics. The event is hosted by Ventspils University of Applied Sciences. Key Topics: Pulsar observations with the LOFAR telescope Pulsar astronomy fundamentals Observation planning Pulsar data processing and analysis Venue: Engineering Research Institute – Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre, Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, Room 407
The European Space Agency (ESA) has opened online registration for the international conference on big data from space, Big Data from Space 2025 (BiDS 2025). This large-scale event will take place for the first time in the Baltic Sea region, in Riga, from 29 September to 3 October. The conference will offer a broad and diverse programme, bringing together leading experts, researchers, and policymakers to discuss the use of satellite data in science, innovation, and the development of solutions that matter to society. Jānis Paiders , Acting State Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Science of Latvia and Deputy State Secretary for Human Capital, Science, and Innovation Policy, highlights: “The fact that the international BiDS 2025 conference is taking place in Latvia marks a significant milestone – this prestigious event is being held in the Baltic Sea region for the first time. It is a testament to Latvia’s vital role in the development of the space sector, as well as the potential of our researchers and companies to apply satellite data for economic growth, societal needs, and the creation of innovative technologies. ” BiDS 2025 programme will include: Workshops at the University of Latvia Academic Centre (29 - 30 September); Panel discussions, presentations, and an exhibition at the National Library of Latvia (1 - 3 October); B2B events, demonstrations, and broad networking opportunities.
Ventspils University of Applied Sciences Faculty of Translation Studies Bachelor’s degree student of “Translation and Language Technology” Matīss Jansons and Bachelor’s degree student of “Intercultural Communication” Līva Slesare participated in an exciting summer school “Responsible Digitalization: AI, Social Media and their Contribution to a Sustainable Society”, which took place from 21st to 25th of July in Paderborn, Germany. The aim of the summer school was to provide a learning experience about sustainable use of artificial intelligence and digital technologies for the benefit of society, while promoting collaboration, practical innovation and cultural exchange. The summer school program was intense and dynamic – lectures, workshops and discussions led by lecturers and guest lecturers took place throughout the day, covering the practical application of artificial intelligence, its ethical and social aspects, issues of power, prejudice and everyday life. Each day provided new insights and encouraged students to think about the role of technology in the future society. Outside of lectures, students from Latvia, as well as from various other countries, had the opportunity to go on guided tours and get to know the city of Paderborn in Germany and its ancient history, see the world's largest computer museum "Heinz Nixdorf MuseumsForum", as well as have informal conversations and make new contacts. Students admit that the opportunity to work in international teams with participants from several COLOURS alliance universities was very valuable. This diversity promoted the exchange of experience and allowed for different approaches to solving problems related to artificial intelligence. Dr. François Vignale's (Le Mans University) lecture on the identification of AI-generated and biased content also aroused special interest, providing practical knowledge and sparking a discussion about these problems in society. This experience gives students the opportunity to gain new knowledge, opening a broader view of the everyday life of students at other European universities, exchanging opinions and creating contacts and future friendships. Read more about the summer school on the COLOURS website: https://colours-alliance.eu/event/international-summer-school-on-responsible-digitalization-ai-social-media-and-their-contribution-to-a-sustainable-society/
Today, the field of radio astronomy has experienced a resurgence in ‘transient’ science, with more and more astronomical phenomena found to be active on timescales of months, weeks, and even within a single day. For example, high-mass stars form in short, intense bursts of mass accretion that display active variations on day-long timescales. The use of single-baseline interferometers (two telescopes connected together) has been known in astronomy since the 1940s. However, demand for this observing technique was soon overtaken by the development of interferometers comprising large numbers of radio telescope dishes. As demand for aperture synthesis arrays increased, the time available for each observing programme became more limited. The recent emphasis on transient science has renewed the demand for facilities capable of high-cadence monitoring of brightness variations in radio emission—an area in which the now uncommon single-baseline radio interferometer is particularly well suited. The aim of this project is the development of the Irbene Single-Baseline Interferometer (ISBI), designed to detect variations in the radio emission associated with high-mass star-forming regions. The ISBI will be used to monitor both radio continuum and maser emission from high-mass protostars. This will enable clearer distinctions to be drawn between currently untested and competing theoretical models proposed to explain the enigmatic variability recently linked to the formation of high-mass stars. With recent discoveries confirming rapid accretion bursts in high-mass protostars, time-domain radio astronomy has become a key frontier in understanding the formation of massive stars. These short-lived accretion episodes give rise to measurable variations in both radio continuum and maser emission. However, existing large-scale arrays are often oversubscribed and are not optimised for long-term, targeted monitoring of such sources. “The method will enable clearer distinctions to be drawn between currently untested and competing theoretical models proposed to explain the enigmatic variability recently linked to the formation of high-mass stars.” High-cadence, long-term monitoring, such as that possible by ISBI, greatly benefits from automation, which makes it much easier to carry out long-term, frequent monitoring of space signals, from planning observations to processing the data. Latvian scientists have created a unique set of tools and automated systems for the ISBI, turning it into a one-of-a-kind instrument with capabilities not found anywhere else. ISBI stands out because, unlike single-dish telescopes or large VLBI arrays, it can both detect weak signals and track them regularly over time. This makes it ideal for studying the changing radio emissions of massive star-forming regions, helping researchers understand processes like matter falling onto stars and the jets they eject. Thanks to automation, almost the whole workflow runs smoothly, allowing continuous and efficient monitoring of these fascinating cosmic events.
From June 26 to July 5, 2025, third-year Business Management students Mārtiņš Didzis Gailis and Daniels Balcers from Ventspils University of Applied Sciences participated in the COLOURS project summer school "Scientific Project Management: From Idea to Funded EU Project", which took place at the University of Le Mans, France. The aim of the programme was to provide students with theoretical and practical knowledge in scientific project management, with a particular focus on attracting European Union funding. The program was organized in a combined format – with online classes on June 26 and 27 and in-person activities at the University of Le Mans from July 1 to 5. During the online sessions, students learned about the project life cycle, European Union project evaluation criteria, the use of Gantt and PERT charts, risk analysis, and budgeting. The in-person sessions included practical workshops on stakeholder mapping and Horizon Europe funding opportunities, as well as the development and presentation of students' final projects in the form of a simulated competition. The program also included a visit to the Le Mans 24 Hours Museum and participation in the international event "Le Mans Classic," where students gained insight into the organization and management of high-level events. Daniels says that he is very interested in everything related to cars and motorsports, so he was particularly excited to attend the Le Mans Classic race – it was a great opportunity to get to know one of the world's most legendary racing events, see classic racing cars in action, and experience the authentic atmosphere that reigns in this historic place. Mārtiņš admitted that he had visited France before, but Le Mans left an even deeper impression on him – quieter, more authentic and with a strong historical presence. He particularly liked the historic atmosphere of the city, the enthusiasm for motorsport and how open and friendly the local people were. "To be honest, we regret a little that we didn't take advantage of such opportunities earlier during our studies – they provide not only knowledge, but also a broader view of the world, people and ourselves. That's why we especially encourage other students and young people to be active, take advantage of the international programs on offer, and not be afraid of challenges – these are experiences that create unforgettable memories," the guys admit. Participation in this program provided students with valuable experience in project planning, risk assessment, budgeting, and international communication. The knowledge and skills they gained will be useful both in their future studies and professional activities.
Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, together with partner universities, has joined a national research program project called " Elaboration of evidence-based solutions for effective professional competence development of adults and assessment of the transfer of its results into practice in Latvia ." Project participants Zane Zonberga and Sanita Lasmane, guest lecturers at Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, spoke about their work on the project, outlining the nature of the problem and possible solutions. Rapid changes require new skills The importance of this project will be appreciated by anyone who has ever thought about how much their profession has changed in recent years – whether the knowledge and skills acquired at school twenty, ten or five years ago still meet the requirements of today's job market? Rapid changes in society, automation of production, and the development of modern technologies, including artificial intelligence, require workers in many fields to constantly learn new skills to remain competitive in a changing job market. In this context, high-quality professional development for adults is of great importance, which is also clearly defined in Latvia's National Development Plan 2021-2027 as part of Latvia's sustainable development strategy to strengthen the country's ability to adapt to the changing labor market. In reality, adult education often lags behind the declared goals. To reduce this gap, a national research program project is currently being developed. Development of evidence-based solutions for the effective improvement of adult professional competence and evaluation of the transfer of its results into practice in Latvia (No. VPP-IZM-Education-2023/4-0001). The lead partner is the University of Latvia, but partner universities – Ventspils University of Applied Sciences and RTU Liepāja Academy – also play an essential role in the project. Zane Zonberga is a second-year doctoral student in the joint doctoral program in Economics and Entrepreneurship at Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, and RTU Rezekne Academy of Technologies. At the same time, Sanita Lasmane has already completed her theoretical studies in this program and is preparing to obtain her doctoral degree at the end of this year. The title of Sanita Lasmane's doctoral thesis is Analysis and Modelling of Factors Affecting the Latvian Labour Market, while Zane Zonberga is working on a doctoral thesis on The Impact of Human Capital Development on Organisational Performance in Latvia, which is related to the theme of this project. In addition to the two young researchers, the project team at Ventspils University of Applied Sciences also includes the project's scientific director, Professor Una Libkovska, Associate Professor Liene Resele-Dūšele, and coordinator Linda Ūdre. "I can try to explain the project's goal in the simplest way possible with an example: a person acquired a certain level of education, technical knowledge, and digital skills five or ten years ago, but now this knowledge has very little value in the labor market due to rapid digitization, technological development, and automation," says Zane Zonberga. "Many jobs are at risk because employees are simply unable to keep up with these trends. In our project, we aim to demonstrate that adult education is not only essential for the population but also crucial for companies to thrive and compete globally. We strive to offer companies and government institutions the opportunity to evaluate the practical application of knowledge, assessing whether the learning process meets their quality standards and whether it will benefit their employees. The project also emphasizes the role of professional development for teachers so that they can provide students and adults with modern, practical knowledge and skills that are relevant to the labour market. Professional development is relevant in almost all professions, but it is particularly appropriate for those working in fields where digitization, automation, artificial intelligence technologies, etc., are rapidly advancing. For example, customer support specialists whose work is being replaced by artificial intelligence chatbots, or warehouse workers whose tasks are being taken over by automated lines. More generally, this also applies to employees in any industry who acquired technical or digital skills five or ten years ago. From interviews to cooperation solutions The project is divided into five task packages, which involve both data collection and analysis. One of the tasks of the researchers at Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, together with their project partners, was to analyze 14 focus group interviews conducted with industry representatives, expert councils, government and educational institutions, and other target groups. The interviews are transcribed, coded and analyzed using both quantitative and qualitative research methods. In addition, researchers at Ventspils University of Applied Sciences have assessed the contribution to human capital development, including adult vocational education and professional development, and its impact on the Latvian economy and economic development. Theoretical reviews of the effects of human capital development on the development of the national economy and the characteristics of instruments for measuring the effectiveness of the transfer of professional development into practice have also been carried out. Researcher Sanita Lasmane reveals that, before her involvement in this project, she had worked mainly with quantitative research methods, which focus on the collection and analysis of numerical data. "This project focuses more on qualitative research methods, which are used to study something difficult to measure in numbers, such as people's attitudes and opinions on a particular issue. Qualitative research methods require a greater ability to delve into context and interpret nuances, which has personally allowed me to broaden my research horizons and become more versatile," Sanita Lasmane shared her experience. One of the main objectives of the project is to develop a practical tool that would help assess the effectiveness of transferring knowledge gained through adult professional development into practice. This tool would enable companies and government institutions to determine whether the training provided equips employees with the necessary skills and is applicable in the job market. In the long term, the project's desired outcome would be closer and better cooperation between educational institutions, entrepreneurs, and government agencies, with company representatives actively involved as guest lecturers, telling students about real problems and needs in the job market. The offer is there, but information is lacking Zane Zonberga shared one of her observations from the research process, acknowledging that "There is fragmentation in communication between the institutions involved – employees, employers, local governments, the state, and, accordingly, educational institutions and state-level institutions. Fragmented communication between these parties has created obstacles to better cooperation." She emphasizes the importance of employers identifying their employees' needs, but notes that some companies struggle to do so effectively without consuming excessive human resources time. It is in the interest of local governments to ensure that companies in their municipalities have the opportunity to develop and provide support as needed. The industry expert council is responsible for obtaining information about the needs of all industries – the knowledge, skills and competencies that need to be developed. The state is responsible for providing not only projects, but also further professional development courses, training, etc., which would be offered to both industries and residents. Zane Zonberga cites the example of the courses provided by the State Employment Agency, emphasizing: "After communicating with entrepreneurs and industry representatives, it was concluded that this offer, which usually comes from the state, does not always match the knowledge, skills or competencies they need. Similarly, various projects are currently challenging for a specific company to implement, as they often do not meet one or two criteria and are therefore not eligible for funding. These communication issues need to be resolved so that all parties understand what is needed and how to implement it." Zane Zonberga acknowledges that the current range of professional development opportunities is sufficient. Still, some shortcomings need to be addressed: "I would say that the range of professional development opportunities as such is sufficient, but at the moment the public is not sufficiently informed about the possibilities." For example, at Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, anyone who is interested can take courses and earn credits for a fee, receiving a certificate upon completion. This can be done over several years, combining work with study and gradually acquiring knowledge. Similar offers are also available at other educational institutions and lifelong learning centres, including free courses, but their availability often depends on the initiative of the teachers themselves. Sanita Lasmane highlights the inequality between regions: "Opportunities exist, but they are mainly concentrated in the more economically developed areas. The biggest structural gaps in the labor market are precisely in the regions where professional development opportunities are much more limited." Zane Zonberga agrees: "There are many more opportunities for professional development in Riga, and they are more diverse. For example, Ventspils University of Applied Sciences is unable to provide professional development in medicine, but such opportunities are available in Riga." Cooperation with entrepreneurs must be expanded. The researchers particularly emphasize the importance of cooperation with businesses. Ventspils University currently cooperates with Bucher Municipal, where, in addition to the scholarship, students are also provided with the opportunity to gain experience at the company by familiarizing themselves with all work processes: "I think it is necessary to establish broader cooperation so that it is not just two or three companies and so that entrepreneurs themselves want to give guest lectures to students on current labor market issues. Ventspils University is already succeeding in this because some of the representatives of Ventspils companies are graduates of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, and better communication has been established with them, so their desire to get involved in the process is noticeable," says Zane Zonberga. " Ventspils University of Applied Sciences already attracts various industry experts and company representatives for guest lectures and practical classes, but I believe that cooperation should be even broader." The project Development of Evidence-Based Solutions for Effective Professional Competence Improvement for Adults and Assessment of the Transfer of Results into Practice in Latvia was launched in December 2023 and is scheduled to be completed in December 2026. The results of the project will be used in dialogue with the Ministry of Education and Science, which is the primary end user and client of the project. Source: https://www.ventasbalss.lv/zinas/izglitiba/52693-kad-zinasanas-noveco-petijuma-mekle-risinajumus-efektivai-muzizglitibai Photo: Krists Kūla
