To promote space-technology-based innovation and its practical application on Earth, highlighting promising projects with high commercialization potential, startups, scientists, and industry experts from the deep-tech ecosystem gathered at an event organized by the European Space Agency (ESA) Business Incubation Centre “ESA BIC Latvia.” Special recognition was awarded to a software project submitted by the Institute of Aeronautics, Space Engineering and Transport (AKITI) of Riga Technical University (RTU) to the competition European Astro Pi Challenge 2024–2025 (Mission Zero).
The software project developed by members of AKITI’s aerospace working group successfully operated aboard the International Space Station, demonstrating its technical quality and innovation potential.
The project involved RTU AKITI Assistant Professor Viktors Gutakovskis, who is also the head of the aerospace group, as well as aerospace group members Sofija Pakalka and Didzis Špaks, who are third-year students in the Mechatronics program at Riga Technical College. Sofija Pakalka is also a laboratory assistant at AKITI.
“This achievement confirms the high quality of Latvian engineering and vocational technical education and shows that Latvian students are capable of competing successfully at the international level in one of the most complex and rapidly growing technology sectors. This is a significant and inspiring step in the development of engineering education in Latvia in the field of space,” notes RTU AKITI Assistant Professor Viktors Gutakovskis.
“ESA BIC Latvia” is the only ESA incubator in Latvia. It is one of 32 European business incubation centres established by the European Space Agency in 22 countries.
