On Tuesday, 29 September, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the informative report prepared by the Ministry of Education and Science (MES) on the development of Latvia’s space sector and its participation in the European Space Agency (ESA). The government gave conceptual support to continuing Latvia’s participation in ESA and initiating the process of extending the associated membership agreement until 2041. This will ensure that Latvian companies, researchers, and students can continue to take part in ESA activities without interruption.
Over the six years since Latvia became an associated member of ESA, the space sector has reached a new stage of development. More than 40 Latvian organisations have taken part in ESA activities, and Latvian companies have become integrated into European supply chains.
“Cooperation with the European Space Agency is one of Latvia’s success stories in science and innovation. Latvian entrepreneurs are increasingly active in ESA procurements, and our companies have become part of the European space industry’s supply chains. This demonstrates Latvia’s ability to develop high value‑added technologies and compete successfully on an international scale,” emphasises Minister of Education and Science Ilze Indriksone.
ESA operates according to the principle of geographical return: the funds contributed by a member state return to its companies and researchers in the form of international projects, and Latvia’s return exceeds the initially set target. This is also confirmed by the results of implementing the Latvian Space Strategy. Twelve new courses have been introduced in study programmes, surpassing the initial target, while the number of defended master’s and doctoral theses in the space sector has already reached 78% of the planned value. Entrepreneurs are increasingly active in ESA procurements, cooperation with major system integrators has been strengthened, and commercial contracts worth 15 million euros have been concluded — significantly exceeding the initial target of 9 million euros. In the field of Earth observation, 16 services have been developed, more than originally planned. According to a study by the international economic analysis company Oxford Economics, every euro invested in ESA programmes generates 1.4 euros for Latvia’s economy.
Participation in ESA is also a prerequisite for successful involvement in the European Union’s space programmes and the Horizon Europe programme. Space technologies are becoming increasingly important for national security and resilience — satellite communications, satellite navigation, and Earth observation are widely used in defence and security solutions. For example, a solution is being developed in Latvia that would allow emergency alerts to be sent to residents via the European satellite navigation system Galileo even if mobile communications are unavailable.
Cooperation also opens opportunities for the younger generation. Continuing efforts to inspire and engage pupils in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and the space sector, Latvia is planning to open an ESA European Space Education Resource Office (ESERO). It will provide teachers with training and teaching materials so that real space‑related examples can be used in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics lessons. This year, for the first time, vacancies in the ESA National Trainee Programme were available exclusively to Latvian citizens — a unique opportunity for young specialists to gain experience in one of the world’s leading space organisations.
By 1 October 2027, the Ministry of Education and Science, in cooperation with the Ministry of Economics, the Ministry of Transport, and the Ministry of Defence, will develop Latvia’s space sector development strategy for 2028–2034, to further strengthen sector growth and identify the most effective solutions for its future development.
The informative report on the development of Latvia’s space sector and its participation as an associated member of the European Space Agency since 2020 is available on the Legal Acts Portal [LV].
