European Space Agency to fund six Lithuanian projects
The European Space Agency (ESA) has published a list of recommended projects for funding, including six applications from Lithuanian business and scientific institutions. Up to €1 million will be allocated to the projects planned for Lithuania.
‘The growth of the space sector is one of our country’s top priorities. Lithuania can already be proud of its achievements in space technology – we are among the world leaders in laser technology, a recognised producer of nanosatellites and their components, and have made significant achievements in processing Earth observation data. To help us become a strong international player, this funding will help us to grow and exploit our enormous potential, and be recognised internationally’, said Aušrinė Armonaitė, Minister of Economy and Innovation.
The ESA will fund projects by Delta Biosciences UAB, Klaipėda University, Vilnius University, the Centre for Physical Sciences and Technology (Fizinių ir technologijos mokslų centras – FTMC), and two projects by Astrolight UAB. The applicants intend to implement projects in the areas of science and technology with the highest potential for the space sector.
‘The inclusion of six Lithuanian projects on the ESA’s list of recommended projects for funding once again demonstrates Lithuania’s significant role and efforts in the space sector. We have no doubt that this will help our country to expand the boundaries of space exploration and to develop new technologies in this field more rapidly’, said Deputy Minister of Economy and Innovation, Eglė Markevičiūtė.
The Space Hub Group of the Innovation Agency, which is responsible for facilitating the Lithuanian space ecosystem, has helped to bring these Lithuanian projects to the European Space Agency (ESA) negotiating table. The Space Hub Group organises regular events and meetings with ESA representatives to attract new companies to the space sector and help Lithuania’s space sector grow.
Back in September, the Space Hub Group invited the Lithuanian academic and business community, which is – or has the potential to be – active in space, to take advantage of the European Space Agency’s call for project proposals. This is exclusively for Lithuanian organisations to develop their technologies and innovations, organised in one-to-one meetings with ESA representatives who provide full advice to interested organisations.
‘We are delighted that Lithuanian organisations are becoming more involved and taking advantage of the opportunities offered by the European Space Agency. As many as six proposals from Lithuanian business and science have now been included in the list of recommended projects and have been the subject of negotiations by the European Space Agency on their further implementation. It is particularly encouraging that Lithuania’s life sciences sector is finally moving into the space industry, as the importance of this sector in space is growing. We hope that this example will be a great incentive for other companies in the life sciences sector to become more interested in expanding their activities in space’, says Paulius Petrauskas, Director of the Innovation Agency’s Breakthrough Department.
Lithuania aims to grow its space sector tenfold to 1% of GDP by 2027. The number of space companies in Lithuania is expected to grow more than 2.5 times in five years, to reach around 80 companies.
To achieve these goals, participation of the Lithuanian space industry in ESA activities is crucial. Recognising the strengths of its space sector, Lithuania participates in a number of optional ESA programmes, as well as in the Requesting Party Activities (RPA) programme, which is open only to Lithuanian business and science representatives. This is a tool to improve the competences of Lithuanian industry to prepare it to compete in the ESA optional programmes. The next RPA call is expected to be launched in the autumn.