On April 12, marking the International Day of Human Space Flight, global attention is focused on the latest Moon mission by NASA, whose crew has set a new record for the farthest human flight into space. However, space is no longer the privilege of major powers alone. Latvia is also increasingly asserting itself in this now crucial field of science. Since joining the European Space Agency, our country has implemented more than 120 projects, involving dozens of organizations and participating in internationally significant initiatives. For example, global-scale space infrastructure is being developed together with Ventspils University of Applied Sciences and the company VIRATEC, while the Latvian high-tech company Allatherm is involved in the Lunar Gateway project. Today, space is a practical and rapidly growing field of science that impacts our daily lives, economy, security, and development.

Since joining the European Space Agency, our country has implemented more than 120 projects, involving dozens of organizations and participating in internationally significant initiatives. For example, global-scale space infrastructure is being developed together with Ventspils University of Applied Sciences and VIRATEC, while Allatherm is involved in the Lunar Gateway project. Space today is a practical and rapidly growing field of science that influences our everyday life, economy, security, and development.

One of Latvia’s best-known space researchers with an international reputation, Andris Slavinskis, co-founder of the company Nanocraft and a professor supervising doctoral students at Riga Technical University and the University of Tartu Observatory, emphasizes that we live in a time when the boundaries between the possible and the impossible are rapidly blurring. His professional experience in space technology dates back to 2012, working at the University of Tartu Observatory, where the main focus is on electric solar wind sails (E-sail) and CubeSat satellite development. The electric solar wind sail is a spacecraft propulsion technology that uses the flow of solar wind particles and electrically charged tethers to generate thrust without fuel and move spacecraft. Meanwhile, CubeSat satellites are small, modular, and relatively inexpensive satellites that enable faster and more accessible development and testing of space technologies and scientific research. Slavinskis has also been involved in international initiatives – he participated in the development of the ESTCube satellites, contributed to the Comet Interceptor mission within the European Space Agency, and gained experience at the NASA Ames Research Center and Aalto University.

Speaking about exoplanet research – planets orbiting stars like the Sun – Slavinskis explains that although scientists already have evidence of their existence, directly observing them remains extremely challenging. In this context, planets are comparable to tiny grains next to a massive light source – a star – so researchers must analyze a minuscule amount of reflected light from a great distance. To address such challenges, new concepts are being developed, including technologies based on electric solar wind sails that could potentially enable reaching and studying such distant planets.

These projects are not just theoretical; Latvian companies and technology developers are also involved. For example, a significant technology developed by the Latvian company Deep Space Energy uses radioisotopes to generate energy. Initially, heat is produced, which is then converted into electricity. This solution is particularly important for missions traveling far from the Sun, where there is no longer sufficient sunlight to charge solar panels.

Latvia’s participation in global space missions is especially noteworthy. One of the most prominent examples is the involvement of a Latvian company in the joint NASA and European Space Agency project Lunar Gateway, where an innovative xenon refueling compressor and thermal management system are being developed– solutions that currently have no analogues in the world. Meanwhile, Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, in cooperation with its spin-off company VIRATEC, is developing technologies that will allow Latvia to become part of the global network of space antennas, providing communication, tracking, and telemetry services for lunar and deep space missions. Such initiatives demonstrate that Latvian companies are capable of creating high value-added innovations and competing internationally.

As Slavinskis notes, the space sector already significantly improves quality of life on Earth and helps address important societal challenges. For example, Earth observation satellites provide detailed data on the environment, natural resources, and infrastructure, enabling countries to make more precise and effective decisions.

“Earth observation satellites allow us to determine forest coverage, water quality, and the location of various objects. We can compare this data with national databases, identify discrepancies, or update them. This is very important for the economy and resource management,” explains the researcher.

In Latvia, this data is already being used in practice – for assessing lake quality, agricultural analysis, infrastructure monitoring, and identifying illegal construction. At the same time, space technologies also provide modern communication solutions and make a significant contribution to security.

“Anyone can purchase a satellite internet receiver and use internet that operates via space. The internet works very well – it is fast and stable,” the scientist explains. In the field of defense, satellites help understand what is happening on front lines or near borders.

The space sector is also one of the most promising career paths for young professionals. It offers opportunities for rapid development and achieving a high professional level in a relatively short time.

“The space sector is interdisciplinary. By studying space technologies, a person gains knowledge in many fields. For those thinking about their future profession, the good news is that many positions in Latvian space projects are still unfilled. If a young person starts working in this field now, in ten years they could become an experienced researcher with a doctoral degree,” Slavinskis outlines career opportunities.

He also mentions examples demonstrating the younger generation’s interest in the space sector – even at the high school level, students are already involved in research and working on scientific publications. As he emphasizes, nothing can be achieved alone in the space sector – close cooperation with engineers, scientists, and other specialists is essential. At the same time, experienced entrepreneurs are increasingly entering the field, and compared to ten years ago, such activity has grown significantly. Almost all projects in this area are international, meaning work takes place in a global environment.

Slavinskis reminds us that space exploration is both a practical and philosophical field that encourages reflection on humanity’s place in the Universe. Although a complete understanding of the Universe may never be achieved, this very challenge drives progress and allows Latvia to increasingly strengthen its position in the global space sector.

An important role in the development of Latvia’s space sector is played by the Ministry of Education and Science of Latvia, which coordinates the country’s participation in the European Space Agency and shapes space policy. From 2021 to June 2025, Latvian organizations have been awarded €12.1 million in ESA program funding, supporting the implementation of 73 projects, with more than 80% allocated to research and development. Since 2020, Latvia has been an associate member of the ESA, and the ministry continues working to ensure active national participation in the next cooperation period from 2027 to 2034.

Source: https://www.izm.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/latvija-spozi-mirdz-kosmosa-izpetes-karte

The story was created with the support of European Union funds.