Today, Estonia has its national space strategy, which pledges Estonia’s active participation in European space programs. Since becoming a member of the European Space Agency (ESA) in 2015 and the foundation of the Estonian Space Office, Estonian companies and research institutions now have access to space data, collaboration opportunities in research and development, and public tenders. The ESA’s Business Incubator in Estonia supports budding companies in space tech with funding, expert advice, and contacts.
When we think of space tech, satellites circling the orbit are one of the first things that come to mind. Estonia has deployed multiple satellites, one of the most notable ones being ESTCube-1. An educational project for students, the small satellite tested a novel movement solution using solar wind, and orbited the Earth between 2013-2015. Skeleton Technologies has developed ultracapacitors for the ESA – energy storage systems that could be used to power satellites and rocket engines.
But it is not only flight equipment that gets sent to space. Milrem Robotics has collaborated with the ESA to explore the autonomy of planetary rovers. An Estonian-developed device MyotonPRO was tested onboard the International Space Station to monitor astronauts’ muscular health. And an Estonian consortium has been chosen to develop one of the cameras for NASA’s Artemis mission to the Moon.
Along with an increasing number of satellites and quantities of data, the risk of cyberattacks also rises. And the global security situation requires innovative solutions to contribute towards stability.
Space tech is not only about physical objects either. Sille Kraam, the Director of Space and Earth Observation at CGI Estonia says, “Estonia will probably never be the mass producer of space infrastructure, but our advantage lies in supplying the systems with smartness.” Her statement is backed by the Estonian space strategy that outlines cyber security and defence and artificial intelligence as its priorities, along with innovation in materials and opticals. Along with an increasing number of satellites and quantities of data, the risk of cyberattacks also rises. And the global security situation requires innovative solutions to contribute towards stability.
While there are many Estonian research groups and companies already established in space tech, we should not overlook the upcoming generations of space experts. A student-led lunar rover initiative, KuupKulgur, is encouraging interested students to get involved in the development. And to encourage more interest in sciences and technology, Science Centre AHHAA is organizing Estronaut competition this summer. 174 students aged 13-19 have applied to go through series of tests of motivation, knowledge, and much more, to become one of the 10 who gets to attend a parabolic flight to experience weightlessness.
