Space Policy

In Lithuania, space policy is formulated by the Ministry of Economy and Innovation and implemented by the public institution Innovation Agency (IA) and its LT SpaceHub, which continuously provides information and consultations to interested parties about opportunities to participate in national and international programs. Additionally, the Ministry of Economy and Innovation is the national coordinator for the EU's Copernicus program.

As fields based on space technologies and/or data from space rapidly develop, more and more countries, including small ones, are getting involved in space activities. Lithuania is also engaged in international space organizations and programs.

In December 2012, the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania ratified the United Nations international treaties on the use of outer space. The provisions of these treaties, together with the principles set out in the relevant United Nations General Assembly resolutions, form the basis of international space law: the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies; the Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts, the Return of Astronauts, and the Return of Objects Launched into Outer Space; the Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects; and the Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space. By ratifying this package of legal acts, legal barriers for Lithuanian science and business entities to develop space activities and especially international cooperation were removed.

On January 1, 2014, Lithuania became a full member of the European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT). Membership in EUMETSAT allows Lithuania to fully participate in the decision-making process, shaping the future of this international meteorological organization. Membership in EUMETSAT and the ability to use the meteorological data provided by this international organization give Lithuanian companies the right to participate in EUMETSAT tenders and thus contribute to the development of satellite meteorology.

On October 7, 2014, the Agency for Science, Innovation, and Technology (MITA) and NASA signed a bilateral cooperation agreement on an international internship program. The internship lasts 16 weeks, during which selected interns work on specific projects and have the opportunity to contribute to the most advanced scientific research and technology development in the field of space.

On April 8, 2015, the Lithuanian Research Council and the European Space Agency (ESA) signed an agreement on internships for Lithuanian graduates in the fields of physical and technological sciences at ESA units. Under this agreement, three Lithuanian interns per year have the opportunity to enhance their scientific competence at the highest-level science and technology centers. These agreements provide an opportunity to train young Lithuanian researchers in the most advanced and high-value-creating science and technology centers.

As an EU Member State, Lithuania has the most effective way to engage in space activities through cooperation with ESA:

In 2010, the Government of the Republic of Lithuania and ESA signed a cooperation agreement, which was ratified on November 15, 2011, by Law No. XI-1658 "On the Ratification of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Lithuania and ESA on Cooperation for Peaceful Purposes in the Field of Space." The cooperation agreement with ESA is the initial stage of official cooperation aimed at Lithuania's integration into ESA. This agreement provided the legal basis for Lithuanian business enterprises and research and study institutions to start cooperation with ESA in the fields of science and technology and to promote the cooperation and mobility of Lithuanian and ESA researchers.

On October 7, 2014, the Government of the Republic of Lithuania and ESA signed the European Cooperating State Agreement (ECS Agreement), which was ratified on June 4, 2015, by Law No. XII-1753 "On the Ratification of the European Cooperating State Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Lithuania and ESA." Under the five-year ECS Agreement, ESA announced calls for proposals agreed with Lithuania and intended only for Lithuanian entities to implement projects under ESA's R&D programs. ESA applies the principle of geographical return, according to which about 80-90% of Lithuania's contributions are returned to Lithuanian business and science entities through these ESA orders. The goal of the ECS Agreement is to ensure that Lithuania is prepared for full membership in ESA, where Lithuanian science and business entities will have to compete with entities from other ESA member states to receive ESA orders.

On May 21, 2021, Lithuania became an associate member of ESA. The status of an associate member of ESA allows participation in various ESA programs chosen by the country, considering the strengths of its space sector. This ensures that the annual membership fee paid by Lithuania is used to strengthen the space sector in areas with the greatest potential. Additionally, associate membership allows the implementation of the Third Party Program, in which only Lithuanian business and science can participate, opening new opportunities to strengthen areas that are currently underdeveloped. Membership in ESA also provides opportunities for business and science to collaborate with major European system integrators (Airbus, Thales Alenia Space, Ariane Group, OHB System, etc.), which ESA selects to develop large-scale programs. Cooperation with ESA ensures the rapid and targeted use of research results in the innovation cycle, access to advanced technologies, and international-level expertise. Participation in ESA activities ensures the implementation of national priorities and the rapid increase of competencies that meet the needs of Lithuania and the EU.

On May 12, 2021, the European Space Programme (EU Space Programme) came into effect following the adoption of Regulation (EU) 2021/696 by the European Parliament and the Council on April 28, 2021. This regulation established the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) and repealed Regulations (EU) No 912/2010, (EU) No 1285/2013, (EU) No 377/2014, and Decision No 541/2014/EU. The main objectives of the new EU Space Programme are to ensure EU leadership in space activities, promote innovative industries, protect autonomous access to space, and streamline its management.

On May 15, 2024, Lithuania signed the Artemis Accords, initiated by the U.S. Department of State and NASA, which establish practical principles for safe and sustainable space exploration. Lithuania became the 40th country to sign this agreement. By signing the agreement, Lithuania committed to ensuring that planned space missions, including the extraction and use of space resources, such as those from the Moon, Mars, comets, or asteroids, will be conducted in accordance with the Outer Space Treaty and support safe and sustainable activities in space. The agreement also sets principles for reducing space debris and other safe and sustainable practices in conducting space missions. The parties also agreed to cooperate and periodically consult to review the implementation of the principles set out in the agreement and to exchange views on possible areas of cooperation.

Lithuania also participates in other EU space formats:

Galileo is the global satellite navigation system of the European Union. Galileo provides precise location and timing information. This program is controlled by civilians and its data can be used for various purposes. It is autonomous but also compatible with existing satellite navigation systems. Galileo will eventually consist of 30 satellites and ground infrastructure.

The Copernicus program is the world's largest provider of Earth observation data. It is projected that from 2019 to 2035, Copernicus will generate at least €56 billion in social and economic benefits. Currently, eight Copernicus satellites, called "Sentinels," are orbiting the Earth, with plans to launch several more. Additionally, Copernicus processes and provides information through six Copernicus services. The Copernicus program offers its data and information completely free and openly. It is expected that Copernicus will play a significant role in implementing key EU directives, such as the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive, the EU Water Framework Directive, the INSPIRE Directive, the EU Nitrates Directive, the Ambient Air Quality Directive, the Clean Air for Europe Directive, the Habitats Directive, the Fauna-Flora-Habitats Directive, and the Floods Directive.

GOVSATCOM is the EU governmental satellite communications program aimed at ensuring secure and cost-effective communication capabilities for critical security and defense missions and operations managed by the EU and its member states, including national security actors and EU agencies and institutions.

SSA (Space Situational Awareness) is an ESA initiative aimed at supporting independent European access to and use of space by providing timely and accurate information about the space environment, particularly hazards in orbit and on the ground.

National Space Technology

Leveraging significant potential in certain scientific and technological fields, such as physics, materials science, nanotechnology, microelectronics, biotechnology, laser technology, mechatronics, and optoelectronics, Lithuania is developing its capabilities in space technologies, mainly related to the emerging small satellite sector. In 2014, the first two nanosatellites developed by Lithuanians were launched, successfully testing new technologies.

The first two Lithuanian satellites, "Lituanica SAT-1" (developed by students and young researchers from Vilnius University) and "LitSat-1" (developed by the Institute of Space Science and Technology and Kaunas University of Technology), were launched into space in February 2014. They served as a testing ground for Lithuanian technologies in space. The third Lithuanian satellite, "LituanicaSAT-2," was launched in 2017 (developed by "NanoAvionics").

The most developed subsector of space programs includes satellite telecommunications and broadcasting, satellite navigation, and Earth observation from space (remote sensing, geoinformatics, and cartography). More than 90% of Lithuania's satellite telecommunications services are exported.

Space activities have a very high innovation potential and horizontally cover essentially all scientific disciplines and technologies. Space technologies, like military ones, are the most advanced, thus increasing the overall culture of innovation and ensuring the country's competitiveness. Based on space technologies, high-value-added systemic products and services are created in various industrial sectors. Space activities help address the most important issues of political, economic, and technological independence and security.

Lithuania has the potential to develop the space sector in the following areas:

• Radio frequency systems, payloads, and technologies;
• Optics and optoelectronics;
• Materials and processes;
• Life and physical sciences;
• Space systems software;
• Small and nano-satellite manufacturing;
• Robotics;
• Autonomous systems and artificial intelligence;
• Propulsion systems;

Electrical, electromechanical, and electronic components and quality assurance.