On 12 April, the world marks the International Day of Human Space Flight. This year, global attention is focused on NASA’s latest lunar mission, whose crew has set a new record for the farthest human journey into space. Yet space is no longer the exclusive domain of major world powers. Latvia, too, is increasingly making its mark in this strategically important field of science.
Since joining the European Space Agency (ESA), Latvia has implemented more than 120 projects, involving dozens of organisations and contributing to internationally significant initiatives. These include the development of global-scale space infrastructure in cooperation with Ventspils University of Applied Sciences and the company VIRATEC, while Latvian high-tech company Allatherm is participating in the Lunar Gateway project. Today, space is a practical and rapidly growing sector that influences our daily lives, economy, security, and development.
One of Latvia’s best-known space researchers with international recognition is Andris Slavinskis, co-founder of Nanocraft and a professor supervising doctoral students at Riga Technical University and the University of Tartu Observatory. He believes that we are living in a time when the boundaries between the possible and the impossible are becoming increasingly blurred.
His professional experience in space technologies dates back to 2012, when he began working at the University of Tartu Observatory. His main research areas include the development of the Electric Solar Wind Sail (E-sail) and CubeSat satellites.
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, enabling spacecraft to travel through space. CubeSats, meanwhile, are small, modular, and relatively inexpensive satellites that make it faster and more affordable to develop and test new space technologies and conduct scientific research.
Slavinskis has also been involved in several international initiatives. He contributed to the development of the ESTCube satellites, supported the advancement of ESA’s Comet Interceptor mission, and gained experience at NASA Ames Research Center and Aalto University in Finland.
Speaking about the exploration of exoplanets—planets orbiting stars beyond our Solar System—Slavinskis explains that although scientists have already confirmed their existence, directly observing them remains extraordinarily difficult.
“In this context, planets can be compared to tiny grains located next to a massive light source—the star itself. Researchers must analyse an extremely small amount of reflected light from a very great distance,” he explains.
To overcome such challenges, scientists are developing new concepts, including technologies based on the Electric Solar Wind Sail, which could one day make it possible to reach and study these distant worlds.
These projects are far from purely theoretical. Latvian companies and technology developers are actively involved in bringing them to life.
One notable example is Deep Space Energy, a Latvian company developing technology that uses radioisotopes to generate energy. The process begins by producing heat, which is then converted into electricity. Such systems are particularly important for missions travelling far from the Sun, where solar panels can no longer provide sufficient power.
Latvia’s participation in major international space missions is equally significant. One of the most prominent examples is the involvement of a Latvian company in the joint NASA–ESA Lunar Gateway programme. Within this project, engineers are developing an innovative xenon refuelling compressor and a thermal management system—technologies that currently have no direct equivalents anywhere in the world.
Meanwhile, Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, together with its spin-off company VIRATEC, is developing technologies that will enable Latvia to become part of a global network of space antennas, providing communication, tracking, and telemetry services for lunar and deep-space missions.
These initiatives demonstrate that Latvian companies are capable of creating high-value innovations and competing successfully on the international market.
According to Slavinskis, the space sector is already improving quality of life on Earth and helping solve important societal challenges.
For example, Earth observation satellites provide detailed information about the environment, natural resources, and infrastructure, enabling governments to make more accurate and effective decisions.
“Earth observation satellites allow us to determine forest coverage, assess water quality, and identify where different resources and objects are located. We can compare this information with national databases, identify discrepancies, and update records. This is extremely important for the economy and for managing our resources,” he says.
In Latvia, such data are already being used to assess lake quality, analyse agricultural land, monitor infrastructure, and identify illegal construction activities.
Space technologies also provide modern communication solutions and make a significant contribution to security.
“Anyone can purchase a satellite internet receiver and access internet services delivered through space. The connection is fast, stable, and highly reliable,” the researcher explains.
In defence and security, satellites help monitor developments along borders and in conflict zones, providing crucial information for decision-makers.
At the same time, the space sector is one of the most promising career paths for young professionals. It offers opportunities for rapid growth and the possibility of reaching a high level of expertise within a relatively short period.
“The space sector is highly interdisciplinary. By studying space technologies, people gain knowledge across many different fields. For young people thinking about their future careers, the good news is that many positions in Latvia’s space sector are still waiting to be filled. If a young person starts working in this field today, in ten years they could be an experienced researcher with a doctoral degree,” Slavinskis says.
He also points to examples that demonstrate growing interest among the younger generation. Even at secondary school level, students are already becoming involved in research and contributing to scientific publications.
As Slavinskis emphasises, space exploration is fundamentally collaborative. No individual can achieve significant results alone; success depends on close cooperation between engineers, scientists, and specialists from many disciplines.
At the same time, more experienced entrepreneurs are entering the sector, and compared with ten years ago, activity in the field has increased significantly. Almost all projects are international in nature, meaning that work takes place within a truly global environment.
Slavinskis also reminds us that space exploration is both a practical and a philosophical endeavour. It encourages humanity to reflect on its place in the Universe. While a complete understanding of the cosmos may never be achieved, it is precisely this challenge that drives innovation and progress—and allows Latvia to strengthen its position within the global space sector.
The development of Latvia’s space industry is strongly supported by the Ministry of Education and Science, which coordinates the country’s participation in the European Space Agency and shapes national space policy.
Between 2021 and June 2025, Latvian organisations received €12.1 million in ESA funding, supporting 73 projects, with more than 80% of the funding directed towards research and development.
Latvia has been an Associate Member State of ESA since 2020, and the Ministry continues its efforts to ensure active participation in the next cooperation period from 2027 to 2034.
This story was created with the support of the European Union Funds.
