Final Report Summary - NORDICBALTSAT (Utilizing the existing and emerging potential of Nordic-Baltic dimension in critical satellite technologies and applications)
Executive Summary:
Point of Departure
Space policy is not created in vacuum: the long-term success of public and private sector investment decisions is critically dependent on the national priorities, interests and capabilities. At the same time ability to be a partner in international space community has most crucial role. In a joint effort to stimulate national space activities and international cooperation, organisations, promoting and supporting space activities in Estonia (Enterprise Estonia, Invent Baltics), Latvia (Ventspils High Technology Park), Lithuania (Kaunas University) and Poland (Wasat) joined forces with the experienced space institutions such as Swedish Space Corporation and International Space University to propose the ambitious NordicBaltSat project to the European Union`s Seventh Framework Programme. NordicBaltSat project has been an effort to jointly and simultaneously facilitate the development of space sectors in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. All these countries have their ambition to join European Space Agency as full members. Poland will become a full member of European Space Agency in 2013 while Estonia and Latvia and Lithuania are moving in the same direction after having signed European Cooperating State agreement and Cooperation Framework agreements respectively.
Objectives
The main objective of the NordicBaltSat project was to identify existing and potential space organisations in niches, where they have positions of relative strength, to raise awareness of the space sector in the business communities and among politician and local decision makers and to educate them on how the European space sector works. NordicBaltSat project had a mission-oriented approach to build a bridge for successful integration Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland into space industry in Europe while fostering their accession to European Space Agency. In order to achieve this ambitious goal and to reach to desired impact, following specific objectives were defined:
Charting space technologies in Baltic Sea region and in Poland in respect to the needs of European non-dependence for critical technologies;
Educate entrepreneurs about cooperation possibilities in space sector and with European Space Agency and establish strong relationships between emerging space countries and European Space Agency`s member states;
Raise space awareness among policymakers to develop space technology applications.
Outcomes
NordicBaltSat project produced following outcomes:
Charting space technologies in Baltic Sea region and in Poland. Space technology survey was performed during the last quarter of 2010 to map R&D areas and industrial potential. Total number of responses significantly exceeded even the most optimistic initial estimations by growing well over 200 with Poland and Estonia as the main contributors to the increase. In addition, as an added value, each national partner also compiled their existing space competences in relation to the ESA Technology Tree. Space technology survey also served as the foundation for a Joint Technology Programme where existing technologies were matched to critical technologies as identified by European Space and Defence Agency`s programmes. Based on the analysis results a roadmap was prepared that outlines common paths for space organisations in Baltic States and Poland for the further integration into European space community as attractive partners. Although abovementioned space technology survey identified potential synergies between space actors in Baltic States and Poland and already existing potential to contribute to harmonisation and non-dependence technologies was considered to be quite substantial, project partners decided that all this potential should be better communicated also to other European space actors. For that purposes, as an added value to dissemination activities, comprehensive booklet, named Space Directory was produced.
Training courses for entrepreneurs about cooperation possibilities in space sector and with European Space Agency. First phase of trainings took a wider approach by covering topics like how to do business with European Space Agency and explaining the tendering process and possibilities for small and medium enterprises. However, second phase of trainings covered more technical aspects of cooperation in space field in general. Training courses finally revealed a rather different level of experience with project management techniques, which in turn required to take more extensive use of advanced multimedia techniques in order to offer customized approach for every participant. As a result and based on discussed topics during training courses, two workbooks was published, firstly for experienced professionals and managers from companies and secondly for governmental actors in Baltic States and Poland. Another synergy was noted in the individual mentoring programs. All mentors were carefully selected having the necessary knowledge and experience in the different areas and/or subsystems. In order to make mentoring sessions more interactive and to bring the mentors in direct contact with the entrepreneurs, dedicated one-to-one meeting were organized during Final Conference in Tallinn early February 2012. This interaction turned out to be a considerable success and deserved high satisfactory level from entrepreneurs` point of view. The direct face-to-face discussions were effective and in some occasions allowed to solve a number of possible misconceptions already in advance. The mentorship program will be continued after an official end of NordicBaltSat project. It is evident that already established good contacts between mentors and entrepreneurs from during the project will continue to evolve. Latter will provide good platform for continuation of existing relationships, but this falls beyond current project`s official duration. D 4.2.
Space awareness programme for better integration of public awareness raising activities for the main target groups. The primary role of the Space Awareness Action Plan was to determine the future steps required to develop sustainable and effective awareness activities. Thus, understanding the current status of space awareness in the Baltic States and Poland was one of the key elements and prerequisites while drafting Space Awareness Action Plan. Latter has finally turned to be a very first space awareness raising action plan of its kind in Europe. It attempts to bring together space awareness resources, both in Europe and elsewhere, so that policy makers can now identify the resources which meet their needs and plan their awareness activities in an efficient manner. After having published Space Awareness Action Plan and for the conclusion of project activities, the conference Broadening the Base of Europes Space Community was organized on February 2012 in Tallinn. The conference was focused on how to prepare Central and Eastern-European countries, specifically Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian and Polish firms and the public sector, to cooperate with the European space industry and space organizations. The conference provided an excellent opportunity to acquire an overview of the space industry potential as well as the current status of space governance in the Baltic States and Poland. In addition, participants had an excellent opportunity to meet with the representatives of prominent European space companies and acknowledged representatives from European Space Organizations.
Impact
NordicBaltSat project helped to create a space community in the Baltic States and Poland which will be now much more capable and keen to coordinate space policy and programs, initiate new common projects and international cooperation in space field. The main impact of the project could be categorized across the main activities and results of the project as follows:
Joint Technology Programme it is very useful starting point for preparing and advancing of national space policies and for highlighting the potential of the emerging space sectors in the Baltic States and in Poland. Joint technology programme laid fertile ground for future cooperation with European Space Agency while marking technology areas where emerging space countries are more experienced and having already something to offer in future. Space Directory, which reflects information about more than 200 space-related entities in Baltic States and Poland, was produced and distributed in hard-copy format in total of 500 copies in all to the relevant stakeholders. Electronic version of Space Directory is available on the project website (www.nordicbaltsat.eu).
Space Awareness Action Plan space awareness related activities helped to enlarge the national space communities in all participating countries by identifying, training, mentoring and integrating new industrial and academic entities that had been unfamiliar with space activities so far. A message on new possibilities associated with space activities was spread in the university and industrial environments, encouraging students and young employees to consider their future careers in the aerospace sector. While preparing Space Awareness Action Plan, invitations to participate in special survey were sent out to more than 200 space community members in the Baltic States and Poland.
Trainings for Entrepreneurs and mentorship programme - seminars helped companies and research institutes in Baltic States and Poland to gain new knowledge and expand their understanding of different ways to access the supply chains in space industry in order to be better prepared to start their space projects and apply for large tenders in the future. In addition, trainings improved the knowledge on space business and management of space projects among the actors in high-tech industry which resulted in an influx of new entities to the Programme of European Cooperating State. Moreover, lots of young and well-educated entrepreneurs got much encouragement which resulted creation of new space start-ups, hence preventing their likely emigration or engaging in other, less advanced activities. Altogether there were 143 participants from Baltic States and Poland, who took part in training courses during a period of November 2010 to February 2011. In addition, as a result of mentorship programme, entrepreneurs from emerging space companies received valuable advisory services which will allow them working more effectively on European level space projects. In total, 33 mentorship agreements were signed across all four participating countries in NordicBaltSat project, which exceeded initially set target (25 agreements).
Trainings for Governmental Actors and Academia - Numerous policy-makers (including civil servants) and even politicians in Baltic States and Poland, who were occasionally involved in the space-related matters throughout the activities of NordicBaltSat project, substantially improved their knowledge of space policy and business, hence allowing more smooth interaction with industry and international players in the sector. In addition, NordicBaltSat created suitable preconditions and gave sort of stimulus for starting new cooperation vehicle in space arena in NordicBaltic space region Baltic Space Roundtable.
Further implications
NordicBaltSat project continues after an official end of the project as project`s website (www.nordicbaltsat.eu) will be regularly updated by partners. Soon, project`s webpage will have totally new subsection Who is Who, which will reflect all important information (main references) about space actors in Baltic States and Poland Space. Herein information, what was previously collected throughout Space technology survey and underlying charting activities will be used as a main input in this section. In addition, all partners and project`s community are requested to provide national news to be uploaded to the NBS web. For instance, if there will be new Baltic Space Roundtable meetings, then NordicBaltSat project`s webpage will be used as a main dissemination channel once again. According to initial plan, NordicBaltSat webpage will be kept up and running for at least until 2014.
In conclusion, it is highly recommended that the benefit of joining forces within emerging space region (in Baltic States and in Poland) should be further examined in order to be capable to coordinate space policy more effectively and initiate cross-border joint projects. Whether in the form of looking opportunities to establish joint technological platforms and/or to cooperate in same value chains or even creating Hanseatic Space League as a space awareness vehicle in future, one is for sure that more coordination can be the launch-pad for many decades of successful space activities in this region. To build up something sustainable, a strong space community is needed. Herein we can state that as an informal outcome of the NordicBaltSat project, fertile platform for new and promising space community was created simultaneously in the Baltic States and in Poland.
Project Context and Objectives:
The general objective of the NBS project was to create the necessary conditions for utilizing the existing and emerging potential of the consortium partners in Nordic-Baltic dimension for continuous and sustainable contribution in major on-going and planned European space projects and programs.
NBS project had a mission-oriented approach to build a bridge for successful integration Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland (ELLP) into space industry in Europe while fostering their accession to European Space Agency (ESA). In order to achieve this ambitious goal and to reach to desired impact, NBS project defined the following specific objectives:
1. Chart space technologies in Baltic Sea region in respect to the needs of European non-dependence for critical technologies;
Planned results:
Based on ESA critical space technologies approach, underlying R&D areas and industrial potential in emerging space countries will be charted. Altogether 150 audits will be carried out.
Results of audits will feed also into the creation of joint technology programme.
Achieved results:
A space technology (NBS) survey was performed during the last quarter of 2010 to map R&D areas and industrial potential in ELLP. Total number of responses significantly exceeded even the most optimistic initial estimations by growing well over 200 with Poland and Estonia as the main contributors to the increase. In addition, as an added value, each national partner also compiled their existing space competences in relation to the ESA Technology Tree.
But NBS survey also served as the foundation for a Joint Technology Programme (JTP) for ELLP. In the JTP existing technologies were matched to critical technologies as identified by EDA/ESA /EU, ESA programmes in general, the IAP and PECS in particular, and with national space policies. Based on the analysis results a roadmap was prepared that outlines common paths for the ELLP space organisations for the further integration into European space community as attractive partners.
2. Educate entrepreneurs about coope¬ration possibilities in space sector and with ESA and establish strong relationships between emerging space countries and ESA member states;
Planned results:
Training courses for entrepreneurs will be organised. First phase of trainings will take wider approach covering topics like how to do business with ESA and explaining the tendering process in ESA and possibilities for SMEs. Second phase of trainings will cover more technical aspects of cooperation in space field in general and with ESA.
In addition cross-border mentorship programme is planned to be established including at least 20 mentor-mentee pairs and signed underlying agreements.
Achieved Results:
Training courses for entrepreneurs were facilitated by prominent staff of ISU. As the first training courses revealed a rather different level of experience with project management techniques in ELLP, an additional need was identified to tailor the efforts in accordance with the individual desiderata, in contrast to the original planning to give identical information to each country. As a result, second phase of trainings were conducted by using advanced multimedia techniques and offering much more customized approach for every participant.
Another synergy was noted in the individual mentoring programs. All mentors were carefully selected having the necessary knowledge and experience in the different areas and/or subsystems. In order to make mentoring sessions more interactive and to bring the mentors in direct contact with the entrepreneurs, dedicated one-to-one meeting were organized during NBS Conference in Tallinn early February 2012.
This interaction turned out to be a considerable success and deserved high satisfactory level from entrepreneurs` point of view. The direct face-to-face discussions were effective and in some occasions allowed to solve a number of possible misconceptions already in advance. The mentorship program will be continued after an official end of NBS. The first follow-up meeting is already appointed to take place in April 2012 in Luxemburg. It is evident that already established good contacts between mentors and entrepreneurs from ELLP during NBS project will continue to evolve. Latter will provide good platform for continuation of existing relationships, but this falls beyond current project`s official duration.
3. Raise awareness among policymakers to develop space technology applications;
Planned results:
Space awareness programme will be created for better integration of public awareness raising activities for the main target groups. In addition space governance training courses will be organised for policy-makers.
Space awareness activities for policy-makers will culminate high-level space conferences which will bring together actors from governmental (public administration) level with the aim to establish long-term partnerships between emerging space countries and ESA.
Achieved results:
The primary role of the Space Awareness Action Plan (SAAP) document was to determine the future steps required to develop sustainable and effective awareness activities. Thus, understanding the current status of space awareness in ELLP is one of the key elements of the SAAP. This task was accomplished with two main efforts in parallel: a questionnaire targeting experts and a request for information sent to space authorities in ELLP. Results of a questionnaire analysis (based on 111 responses) status reports from these four countries and a discussion of relevant literature, including best practices constitute the main sections of the document. Some of the space awareness resources prepared by the European Commission as well as the European Space Agency are also presented. SAAP is first ever space awareness raising action plan in Europe, which attempts to bring together space awareness resources, both in Europe and elsewhere, so that policy makers can identify the resources which meet their needs and plan their awareness activities in an efficient manner.
To conclude the activities of NBS, the conference Broadening the Base of Europes Space Community was organized on February 2012 in Tallinn with the attendance of 135 unique participants. Since the conference was mainly targeted to ELLP, then more than 80% of participants came from ELLP. The conference was focused on how to prepare Central and Eastern-European countries, specifically Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian and Polish firms and the public sector, to cooperate with the European space industry and space organizations. The conference provided an excellent opportunity to acquire an overview of the space industry potential of the ELLP as well as the current status of space governance in ELLP. In addition, participants had an excellent opportunity to meet with the representatives of prominent European space companies (to name EADS, OHB as a few) and acknowledged representatives from European Space Organizations, e.g. ESA, EUMETSAT, EURISY, IAF etc.
Project Results:
The NordicBaltSat project concludes 4 functional work packages (WP):
WP 1 - Charting space potential and creating Joint Technology Programme
The most important results of WP1 have been quite high response rate during mapping exercise in ELLP, which allowed a fair analysis of space capabilities in the partner countries. Collection of responses across partner countries (task 1.2) accelerated significantly towards the end. Together with extensive use of relevant databases, total number of responses were finally over 200 (already by the end of October 2010), compared to the planned 150, as if Poland and Estonia were the main contributors to the increase.
In January 2011 a workshop was held with representatives of SSC, ISU and the partner countries at SSC premises in Solna, Sweden. At the workshop a work-logic was presented and accepted by the group as a viable and decide path forward.
The survey responses were analysed thoroughly and the participating organisations were categorised as having interests in one (or more) of the five categories: upstream - ground segment, upstream space segment, upstream human spaceflight, downstream interactive and downstream distributive. In a second dimension the organisations were identified as institutional or commercial.
The resulting profiles for the partner countries space sectors were compared to each other and areas of proficiency and synergies were identified. All countries had organisations covering most of the categories: Estonia stood out with a bias toward downstream applications. Poland together with Estonia has the most developed space sectors while Latvia and Lithuania are strong in specific fields such as lasers and piezo actuators. The results were mapped against ESA/EDA/EU list of critical technologies for non-dependence and 90 organisations were identified as being able to address items on the list. The inventory was reduced to around 60 after being reviewed by the partner countries.
In the survey the organisations were asked to position themselves in the ESA Technology Tree, (ETT). The results were analysed statistically for frequency of identification to Technology Domains, Technology Subdomains and Technology Groups. The responses were comparable between the partner countries expresses through organisations positioning themselves in largely the same domains, subdomains and technology groups independent of country.
It is important to mention that in the frame of the NBS survey no TRL levels were designated to the mapped technologies.
These results of the ETT positioning analysis were mapped against the harmonisation effort reported in the European Space Technology Master Plan (ESTMP) where many of the technology groups popular with the responding organisations are identified as not harmonised or only partly harmonised indicating an opportunity to contribute to the non-dependence of European space technology.
The results of the survey analysis for the countries were consistent with the assessments expressed by Baltic Space Round Table meeting memorandum from Vilnius, 2010 and the country profile provided in the survey results for the partner countries showed a sound understanding of the state of the respective space sectors.
The future of space activities in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland (ELLP) were analysed in a the context number of EU and ESA strategies and programmes and notably IAP, PECS and the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea region were identified as opportunities for joining the space value chain and the Baltic Sea Strategy was identified as a potential common interest around which to centre a joint technology plan.
In June 2011 the first draft of the JTP was issued by SSC/OHB and distributed for review of the partner countries. Responding to feedback the JTP was updated and the updated draft was presented to the ESA PECS office in mid-October 2011. While ESA was cautious not to have an explicit opinion about the conclusions of the survey and the assessment of opportunities, ESA expressed appreciation for the work and an interest in the results. The same month early results from the draft JTP was presented to the Polish Ministry of Economy demonstrating its usefulness.
Also in October, NBS and the work on JTP were presented at IAC-62 in Cape Town.
Version 1 of the JTP was issued and printed for the NBS conference in Tallinn in early February 2012 where it was presented in a dedicated presentation to the delegates. The same version was submitted to REA as a deliverable. Responding to preliminary feedback it was reworked by OHB as main author slightly into an extended by more thorough conclusions version 1.1.
WP2 - Capacity building and cooperation development between emerging space countries and ESA
The coherence between the 3 tasks in this work package became clearer in the course of the project. The first training courses revealed a rather different level of experience with project management techniques in each of the different countries. This was also linked to the different status related to ESA. Indeed, the countries with PECS status and near ESA Membership status clearly had more experience in submitting proposals for EC FP and ESA contracts.
The need was therefore identified to tailor the efforts in accordance with the individual desiderata, in contrast to the original planning to give identical information to each country. It goes without saying that such tailoring lead to increased use of resources and it was therefore suggested to conduct the advanced training via modern multimedia techniques. This was highly appreciated by the different partners for different reasons. It did not only save travel time for the companies but also allowed for more individual and confidential exchanges. Evidently this also reduced the use of manpower resources and travel costs for ISU which therefore can be partially used to balance the aforementioned tailoring.
Another synergy was noted in the individual mentoring programs. In the first step a large pool of potential mentors were gathered with different specialities. This pool was then compared to the mapping efforts as described in WP1 as well as the individual questions expressed in the separate training sessions. As a result a number of mentors were carefully selected having the necessary knowledge and experience in the different areas and/or subsystems. In order to make these sessions more interactive, the idea was developed to bring the mentors in direct contact with the entrepreneurs at the time of the workshop in Tallinn early February 2012.
This interaction turned out to be a considerable success and let to a high level of satisfaction from the entrepreneurs. The direct face to face discussions resulted in a lot of directive advising and in some occasions allowed to solve a number of misconceptions. The mentorship program will be continued after the conclusion of the contract and a first meeting is already organised in April in Luxemburg. It is evident that other links will continue to exist which provides for a good continuation of the intended networking, over and above the contractual duration.
The numbers of attendees for the "Training courses for entrepreneurs how to do business with ESA"
Estonia - 35
Latvia - 40
Lithuania - 43
Poland - 35
WP3 - Shaping national space governance systems in emerging space countries
Also in this work package the interrelation between the different tasks became evident during the project. From the different policy sessions and based upon the questionnaires one of the paramount needs identified was to provide a practical guide to the space supporters in each of the countries which could serve to convince policy makers. This resulted in an overseeable booklet (SAAP) which is basically providing:
A generic overview of space awareness tools with an emphasis on social media;
An overview of the space awareness efforts made in each of the ELLP countries;
An overview of the results of the survey, which allows policy makers to benchmark with other countries and provides best practice examples;
A methodology and tools to construct an awareness plan;
Reference material on EC and ESA efforts in this field.
It should be noted that in separate inlay boxes different examples are developed of tangible spin-offs and advantages of results from space activities. The idea behind these tangible examples is to provide some possible points of interest depending on the individual interest of the respective policy makers.
Another recommendation followed from discussions at the earlier workshops was to clearly divide the SAAP in accordance with the target groups assumed to be interested in each chapter. Using pictograms the four target groups, namely
General public;
Space entrepreneurs;
Academia;
Policy makers,
can therefore extract the information which is deemed to be most applicable for them.
All the elements were then brought together in a workshop which took place in Tallinn in the period of 1-3 February 2012. At this workshop the sessions were grouped in accordance with the different work packages, each time including interaction with the public in public debates.
A highlight of the symposium were also the different speakers demonstrating an area of particular interest to the audience, such as
The policy point of view;
The industry point of view;
A presentation on the IAF activities;
A presentation of GMES activities.
The audience of 130 participants were following the presentations with great interest and were able to interact both with these specialists as well as with a number of space experts, present in the framework of the mentorship program.
The numbers of attendees for the "Space governance training course for space policy-makers around Baltic Sea"
Estonia - 30
Latvia - 29
Lithuania - 30
Poland - 31
WP 4 Dissemination and exploitation
This WP was realised as planned in the DoW and it proceeded in line with the general progress of the project, i.e. the effort in the first year was focused on promoting the project objectives (Tasks 4.1. and 4.4) while dissemination of the project results and of the elaborated training materials (Tasks 4.2 and 4.3) were executed in the second year. The deviation from the DoW was replacing the means of publishing the best practice cases in the mentorship programme with editing, printing and distribution of the comprehensive ELLP Space Directory of the companies and institutions from the Baltic States and Poland, instead of publishing on the website. All WP 4 tasks ran from month 1 through month 24. The most important results of the WP4 were: the widespread information about the project in the European space community and, especially in the Baltic countries and Poland, awareness and knowledge level of space-related issues substantially raised among local governments (esp. the ministries dealing with space topics) and high-tech industries interested in entering space business. As untraditional dissemination activity attendance on the International Astronautical Congress IAC62 can be considered. Two abstracts from NBS project were submitted and approved, respective papers were written and presentations were made by NBS partners.
Project results dissemination continues after the end of the project on the NBS website: www.nordicbaltsat.eu. The NBS web will be extended by subsection Who is Who in Baltic States and Poland Space. All partners and the project community are requested to provide national news to be uploaded to the NBS web. NBS web will be kept open for at least two years after the end of the project.
The Space Directory distribution.
Total 500 copies of directory printed:
ELLP Space Directory distribution on the events:
- For visitors IAC62, Cape Town, 3 7.10.2011 60 copies
- For visitors AIRTEC Conference, 2 4.11.2011 Frankfurt 10 copies
- For visitors EU Space Conference, 8 9.11.2011 Brussels 10 copies
- For visitors NordicBaltSat final conference, 2 3.02.2012 Tallinn 140 copies
ELLP Space Directory distribution in project partner countries:
- Estonia 50 copies
- Latvia 70 copies
- Lithuania 70 copies
- Poland 70 copies
- France 10 copies (ISU 5, ESA 5)
- Sweden 10 copies
Potential Impact:
Activity:
1) Joint Technology Programme (JTP)
Impact for Estonia
JTP proved to be as a very useful starting point for preparing and advancing of Estonian national space policy and for highlighting the potential of the emerging space sector in Estonia. Entrepreneurs got much more aware about ESA requirements in terms of technology tree as well as critical space technologies approach. Altogether JTP has laid fertile ground for future cooperation with ESA and space actors elsewhere.
Impact for Latvia
JTP helped to identify the technology areas where Latvia is more experienced, thus to find possible cooperation fields and synergy areas. Making of JTP has also helped to identify the topics, where Latvia can contribute when becoming PECS country (planned in 2013). JTP information helped to present Latvian capabilities to potential partners during mobility visits of Latvian Space technologies cluster.
Impact for Lithuania
JTP plays very important role in mapping the national capabilities of Lithuania to existing European programmes and suggest ways to take advantage or the opportunities found. JTP will prove useful as a starting point for preparing national space policies and for highlighting the potential of the emerging space sector.
Impact for Poland
JTP (together with Space Directory) provided very useful and highly appreciated input to the on-going accessions talks between Poland and ESA. The Ministry of Economy (that is in charge of the negotiations from the Polish side) expressed gratitude for receiving a set of analytical and informative materials, which had not been previously available in Poland.
2) Space Awareness Action Plan (SAAP)
Impact for Estonia
Many discussions were held starting from more localized idea to establish Estonian Space Society and finishing it with an idea to investigate the ways to create kind of regional space society jointly for ELLP. Launching a Hanseatic Space League has been prominently suggested as an excellent opportunity for the emerging space countries in ELLP region.
Impact for Latvia
SAAP has helped to define the best practices for increasing space awareness among Latvian society. For instance, Latvia became regional partner in European Satellite Navigation Competition. Suggestions and conclusions made in SAAP were included in the Latvian National Space Strategy and the Strategy of Latvian Space Technologies cluster.
Impact for Lithuania
Very important task of NBS project was to create public awareness of the benefits of space R&D and explain why space is an essential part of everyday infrastructure we take for granted. Moreover, NBS projects impact on Lithuanian students and young people is very important: it arrests the imagination of children and no wonder, that presently they are designing Lithuanian nano satellite first of its kind in whole history of Lithuania.
Impact for Poland
NBS project helped to enlarge the national space community by identifying, training, mentoring and integrating new industrial and academic entities that had been unfamiliar with space activities so far. A message on new possibilities associated with space activities was spread in the university and industrial environments, encouraging students and young employees to consider careers in the aerospace sector.
3) Trainings for Entrepreneurs and mentorship programme
Impact for Estonia
Training events which were directly targeted to Estonian entrepreneurs received very warm support and as a result there was impressive number of participants in all events. Even mentorship programme was somewhat overbooked in terms of local interests.
Impact for Latvia
Seminars helped Latvian companies and research institutes to expand the understanding of ways to access the European supply chain, prepare the space projects and apply for tenders in the future. Mentoring helped Latvian companies representatives to clarify questions that will allow working on European level space projects.
Impact for Lithuania
Mentorship programme involved high level government officials and professors from the universities and was very useful to initiate future European projects, related to space technologies. One of such projects is related to new approach to nano satellites attitude control system, based on the application of smart multi-degree-of-freedom piezoelectric actuators.
Impact for Poland
Trainings improved the knowledge on space business and management of space projects among in the high-tech industry that resulted in an influx of new entities to the PECS programme in 2012. In addition, a group of young, well-educated entrepreneurs got much encouragement and now they have created their own space/geoinformation start-ups, hence preventing their likely emigration from Poland or engaging in other, less advanced activities.
4) Trainings for Governmental Actors and Academia
Impact for Estonia
Numerous policy-makers (including civil servants) and even politicians in Estonia, who were occasionally involved in the space-related matters throughout the NBS project, substantially improved their knowledge of space policy and business (on the eve of drafting Estonian National Space Policy 2012-2020 and its application plan), hence allowing more smooth interaction with industry and international players in the sector.
Impact for Latvia
Involvement of representatives of public authorities (Ministry of Education and Science, Ministry of Economy, Investment and Development Agency of Latvia) in NordicBaltSat activities (surveys, seminars) increased their awareness level and understanding of current space issues and problems in Latvia.
Impact for Lithuania
The Lithuanian Space Association actively participated in the events, organized within framework of NBS and it led to government decision to develop the Lithuanian Space Policy in June 2010. The appointment of the Ministry of Economy to implement this policy demonstrates that the country is renewing its commitment to space activities.
Impact for Poland
Trainings gave significant support to a more stable and better focused coordination and financing of space activities in Poland (PECS funds, national space programme). NBS project also contributed to integrating the national space community through participation of engineers and managers originating from various entities and parts of the country in training courses and other events.
5) Creation of Space Directory
Impact for Estonia
Though some Estonian organisations are already in some extent connected to the European and global space and aerospace sectors, there is still a lot of unused potential, which can be now more easily activated thanks to comprehensive Space Directory, where all Estonian space potential is now published.
Impact for Latvia
The informative materials and Space Directory was very well evaluated by Latvian companies and research institutes. This is the first such material available here in Latvia. This valuable information will help to get in contact with possible partners in the Baltic States and Poland and get to know other possible partners from Latvia.
Impact for Lithuania
Space Directory presents perfect data base to evaluate potential of Lithuanian companies and universities, including specialized research institutions. Presently it is widely used by authorities to plan the funding of space related research. Lithuanian Science Council and Agency for Science, Innovation and Technology (MITA) established special funding for projects, related to space technologies.
Impact for Poland
Same impact as from the trainings for Governmental Actors and Academia (see above)
6) Follow-up activities
Impact for Estonia
NBS project supported a launch of dedicated training and qualification program for Estonian companies, who want to join European space and aerospace industry and participate directly or indirectly in related European programmes. Nationwide programme, which started on January 2012 has set an objective to prepare guidelines for Estonian SME`s participation in international space and aerospace tenders.
Impact for Latvia
NBS project helped to justify the need of further development of space field to political management and public sector representatives, thus ensuring further funding of research projects as well as initiating new national support programs. For example, in spring 2012 there is opened new program administrated by Investment and Development Agency of Latvia with available funding for further activities of Latvian Space Technologies Cluster.
Impact for Lithuania
Important aspect when considering the projects NBS impact on Lithuania is the fact that Lithuania signed Cooperation Agreement with ESA, thus clearing the way to full membership. Herein Lithuania followed Estonia and Latvia, which signed Cooperation Agreements in 2009. NBS project gave support for continuation of preparing International Conference Space Economy in the Multipolar World.
Impact for Poland
NBS project facilitated networking between the Polish space entrepreneurs and representatives of space community from the Baltic States. Discussions on joint initiatives and smaller scale commercial ventures were initiated during the NBS events.
List of Websites:
The NordicBaltSats official website is: http://www.nordicbaltsat.eu/
Member of the Project Management Board:
Mr. Madis Võõras
Position: Advisor, administrator of the space programme
Tel: +372 627 9795
Mobile: +3725047934
Fax: +372 6279701
E-mail: madis.vooras@eas.ee
Mr. Mart Vihmand
Position: Development consultant, NordicBaltSat internal reporting coordinator
Tel: +372 627 9357
Mobile:+372 535 11 080
E-mail: mart.vihmand@eas.ee
Address: Lasnamäe 2, 11412 Tallinn, Estonia
Web: www.eas.ee/space
1.5.1 Invent Baltics OÜ - Assistant to Project Coordinator
Mr. Kristo Reinsalu
Position: Consultant
Tel: +3725108736
Fax: +372 6838001
E-mail: kristo.reinsalu@invent.ee
Address: Teaduspargi 6/1, 12618 Tallinn, Estonia
Web: www.invent.ee/en
Point of Departure
Space policy is not created in vacuum: the long-term success of public and private sector investment decisions is critically dependent on the national priorities, interests and capabilities. At the same time ability to be a partner in international space community has most crucial role. In a joint effort to stimulate national space activities and international cooperation, organisations, promoting and supporting space activities in Estonia (Enterprise Estonia, Invent Baltics), Latvia (Ventspils High Technology Park), Lithuania (Kaunas University) and Poland (Wasat) joined forces with the experienced space institutions such as Swedish Space Corporation and International Space University to propose the ambitious NordicBaltSat project to the European Union`s Seventh Framework Programme. NordicBaltSat project has been an effort to jointly and simultaneously facilitate the development of space sectors in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. All these countries have their ambition to join European Space Agency as full members. Poland will become a full member of European Space Agency in 2013 while Estonia and Latvia and Lithuania are moving in the same direction after having signed European Cooperating State agreement and Cooperation Framework agreements respectively.
Objectives
The main objective of the NordicBaltSat project was to identify existing and potential space organisations in niches, where they have positions of relative strength, to raise awareness of the space sector in the business communities and among politician and local decision makers and to educate them on how the European space sector works. NordicBaltSat project had a mission-oriented approach to build a bridge for successful integration Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland into space industry in Europe while fostering their accession to European Space Agency. In order to achieve this ambitious goal and to reach to desired impact, following specific objectives were defined:
Charting space technologies in Baltic Sea region and in Poland in respect to the needs of European non-dependence for critical technologies;
Educate entrepreneurs about cooperation possibilities in space sector and with European Space Agency and establish strong relationships between emerging space countries and European Space Agency`s member states;
Raise space awareness among policymakers to develop space technology applications.
Outcomes
NordicBaltSat project produced following outcomes:
Charting space technologies in Baltic Sea region and in Poland. Space technology survey was performed during the last quarter of 2010 to map R&D areas and industrial potential. Total number of responses significantly exceeded even the most optimistic initial estimations by growing well over 200 with Poland and Estonia as the main contributors to the increase. In addition, as an added value, each national partner also compiled their existing space competences in relation to the ESA Technology Tree. Space technology survey also served as the foundation for a Joint Technology Programme where existing technologies were matched to critical technologies as identified by European Space and Defence Agency`s programmes. Based on the analysis results a roadmap was prepared that outlines common paths for space organisations in Baltic States and Poland for the further integration into European space community as attractive partners. Although abovementioned space technology survey identified potential synergies between space actors in Baltic States and Poland and already existing potential to contribute to harmonisation and non-dependence technologies was considered to be quite substantial, project partners decided that all this potential should be better communicated also to other European space actors. For that purposes, as an added value to dissemination activities, comprehensive booklet, named Space Directory was produced.
Training courses for entrepreneurs about cooperation possibilities in space sector and with European Space Agency. First phase of trainings took a wider approach by covering topics like how to do business with European Space Agency and explaining the tendering process and possibilities for small and medium enterprises. However, second phase of trainings covered more technical aspects of cooperation in space field in general. Training courses finally revealed a rather different level of experience with project management techniques, which in turn required to take more extensive use of advanced multimedia techniques in order to offer customized approach for every participant. As a result and based on discussed topics during training courses, two workbooks was published, firstly for experienced professionals and managers from companies and secondly for governmental actors in Baltic States and Poland. Another synergy was noted in the individual mentoring programs. All mentors were carefully selected having the necessary knowledge and experience in the different areas and/or subsystems. In order to make mentoring sessions more interactive and to bring the mentors in direct contact with the entrepreneurs, dedicated one-to-one meeting were organized during Final Conference in Tallinn early February 2012. This interaction turned out to be a considerable success and deserved high satisfactory level from entrepreneurs` point of view. The direct face-to-face discussions were effective and in some occasions allowed to solve a number of possible misconceptions already in advance. The mentorship program will be continued after an official end of NordicBaltSat project. It is evident that already established good contacts between mentors and entrepreneurs from during the project will continue to evolve. Latter will provide good platform for continuation of existing relationships, but this falls beyond current project`s official duration. D 4.2.
Space awareness programme for better integration of public awareness raising activities for the main target groups. The primary role of the Space Awareness Action Plan was to determine the future steps required to develop sustainable and effective awareness activities. Thus, understanding the current status of space awareness in the Baltic States and Poland was one of the key elements and prerequisites while drafting Space Awareness Action Plan. Latter has finally turned to be a very first space awareness raising action plan of its kind in Europe. It attempts to bring together space awareness resources, both in Europe and elsewhere, so that policy makers can now identify the resources which meet their needs and plan their awareness activities in an efficient manner. After having published Space Awareness Action Plan and for the conclusion of project activities, the conference Broadening the Base of Europes Space Community was organized on February 2012 in Tallinn. The conference was focused on how to prepare Central and Eastern-European countries, specifically Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian and Polish firms and the public sector, to cooperate with the European space industry and space organizations. The conference provided an excellent opportunity to acquire an overview of the space industry potential as well as the current status of space governance in the Baltic States and Poland. In addition, participants had an excellent opportunity to meet with the representatives of prominent European space companies and acknowledged representatives from European Space Organizations.
Impact
NordicBaltSat project helped to create a space community in the Baltic States and Poland which will be now much more capable and keen to coordinate space policy and programs, initiate new common projects and international cooperation in space field. The main impact of the project could be categorized across the main activities and results of the project as follows:
Joint Technology Programme it is very useful starting point for preparing and advancing of national space policies and for highlighting the potential of the emerging space sectors in the Baltic States and in Poland. Joint technology programme laid fertile ground for future cooperation with European Space Agency while marking technology areas where emerging space countries are more experienced and having already something to offer in future. Space Directory, which reflects information about more than 200 space-related entities in Baltic States and Poland, was produced and distributed in hard-copy format in total of 500 copies in all to the relevant stakeholders. Electronic version of Space Directory is available on the project website (www.nordicbaltsat.eu).
Space Awareness Action Plan space awareness related activities helped to enlarge the national space communities in all participating countries by identifying, training, mentoring and integrating new industrial and academic entities that had been unfamiliar with space activities so far. A message on new possibilities associated with space activities was spread in the university and industrial environments, encouraging students and young employees to consider their future careers in the aerospace sector. While preparing Space Awareness Action Plan, invitations to participate in special survey were sent out to more than 200 space community members in the Baltic States and Poland.
Trainings for Entrepreneurs and mentorship programme - seminars helped companies and research institutes in Baltic States and Poland to gain new knowledge and expand their understanding of different ways to access the supply chains in space industry in order to be better prepared to start their space projects and apply for large tenders in the future. In addition, trainings improved the knowledge on space business and management of space projects among the actors in high-tech industry which resulted in an influx of new entities to the Programme of European Cooperating State. Moreover, lots of young and well-educated entrepreneurs got much encouragement which resulted creation of new space start-ups, hence preventing their likely emigration or engaging in other, less advanced activities. Altogether there were 143 participants from Baltic States and Poland, who took part in training courses during a period of November 2010 to February 2011. In addition, as a result of mentorship programme, entrepreneurs from emerging space companies received valuable advisory services which will allow them working more effectively on European level space projects. In total, 33 mentorship agreements were signed across all four participating countries in NordicBaltSat project, which exceeded initially set target (25 agreements).
Trainings for Governmental Actors and Academia - Numerous policy-makers (including civil servants) and even politicians in Baltic States and Poland, who were occasionally involved in the space-related matters throughout the activities of NordicBaltSat project, substantially improved their knowledge of space policy and business, hence allowing more smooth interaction with industry and international players in the sector. In addition, NordicBaltSat created suitable preconditions and gave sort of stimulus for starting new cooperation vehicle in space arena in NordicBaltic space region Baltic Space Roundtable.
Further implications
NordicBaltSat project continues after an official end of the project as project`s website (www.nordicbaltsat.eu) will be regularly updated by partners. Soon, project`s webpage will have totally new subsection Who is Who, which will reflect all important information (main references) about space actors in Baltic States and Poland Space. Herein information, what was previously collected throughout Space technology survey and underlying charting activities will be used as a main input in this section. In addition, all partners and project`s community are requested to provide national news to be uploaded to the NBS web. For instance, if there will be new Baltic Space Roundtable meetings, then NordicBaltSat project`s webpage will be used as a main dissemination channel once again. According to initial plan, NordicBaltSat webpage will be kept up and running for at least until 2014.
In conclusion, it is highly recommended that the benefit of joining forces within emerging space region (in Baltic States and in Poland) should be further examined in order to be capable to coordinate space policy more effectively and initiate cross-border joint projects. Whether in the form of looking opportunities to establish joint technological platforms and/or to cooperate in same value chains or even creating Hanseatic Space League as a space awareness vehicle in future, one is for sure that more coordination can be the launch-pad for many decades of successful space activities in this region. To build up something sustainable, a strong space community is needed. Herein we can state that as an informal outcome of the NordicBaltSat project, fertile platform for new and promising space community was created simultaneously in the Baltic States and in Poland.
Project Context and Objectives:
The general objective of the NBS project was to create the necessary conditions for utilizing the existing and emerging potential of the consortium partners in Nordic-Baltic dimension for continuous and sustainable contribution in major on-going and planned European space projects and programs.
NBS project had a mission-oriented approach to build a bridge for successful integration Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland (ELLP) into space industry in Europe while fostering their accession to European Space Agency (ESA). In order to achieve this ambitious goal and to reach to desired impact, NBS project defined the following specific objectives:
1. Chart space technologies in Baltic Sea region in respect to the needs of European non-dependence for critical technologies;
Planned results:
Based on ESA critical space technologies approach, underlying R&D areas and industrial potential in emerging space countries will be charted. Altogether 150 audits will be carried out.
Results of audits will feed also into the creation of joint technology programme.
Achieved results:
A space technology (NBS) survey was performed during the last quarter of 2010 to map R&D areas and industrial potential in ELLP. Total number of responses significantly exceeded even the most optimistic initial estimations by growing well over 200 with Poland and Estonia as the main contributors to the increase. In addition, as an added value, each national partner also compiled their existing space competences in relation to the ESA Technology Tree.
But NBS survey also served as the foundation for a Joint Technology Programme (JTP) for ELLP. In the JTP existing technologies were matched to critical technologies as identified by EDA/ESA /EU, ESA programmes in general, the IAP and PECS in particular, and with national space policies. Based on the analysis results a roadmap was prepared that outlines common paths for the ELLP space organisations for the further integration into European space community as attractive partners.
2. Educate entrepreneurs about coope¬ration possibilities in space sector and with ESA and establish strong relationships between emerging space countries and ESA member states;
Planned results:
Training courses for entrepreneurs will be organised. First phase of trainings will take wider approach covering topics like how to do business with ESA and explaining the tendering process in ESA and possibilities for SMEs. Second phase of trainings will cover more technical aspects of cooperation in space field in general and with ESA.
In addition cross-border mentorship programme is planned to be established including at least 20 mentor-mentee pairs and signed underlying agreements.
Achieved Results:
Training courses for entrepreneurs were facilitated by prominent staff of ISU. As the first training courses revealed a rather different level of experience with project management techniques in ELLP, an additional need was identified to tailor the efforts in accordance with the individual desiderata, in contrast to the original planning to give identical information to each country. As a result, second phase of trainings were conducted by using advanced multimedia techniques and offering much more customized approach for every participant.
Another synergy was noted in the individual mentoring programs. All mentors were carefully selected having the necessary knowledge and experience in the different areas and/or subsystems. In order to make mentoring sessions more interactive and to bring the mentors in direct contact with the entrepreneurs, dedicated one-to-one meeting were organized during NBS Conference in Tallinn early February 2012.
This interaction turned out to be a considerable success and deserved high satisfactory level from entrepreneurs` point of view. The direct face-to-face discussions were effective and in some occasions allowed to solve a number of possible misconceptions already in advance. The mentorship program will be continued after an official end of NBS. The first follow-up meeting is already appointed to take place in April 2012 in Luxemburg. It is evident that already established good contacts between mentors and entrepreneurs from ELLP during NBS project will continue to evolve. Latter will provide good platform for continuation of existing relationships, but this falls beyond current project`s official duration.
3. Raise awareness among policymakers to develop space technology applications;
Planned results:
Space awareness programme will be created for better integration of public awareness raising activities for the main target groups. In addition space governance training courses will be organised for policy-makers.
Space awareness activities for policy-makers will culminate high-level space conferences which will bring together actors from governmental (public administration) level with the aim to establish long-term partnerships between emerging space countries and ESA.
Achieved results:
The primary role of the Space Awareness Action Plan (SAAP) document was to determine the future steps required to develop sustainable and effective awareness activities. Thus, understanding the current status of space awareness in ELLP is one of the key elements of the SAAP. This task was accomplished with two main efforts in parallel: a questionnaire targeting experts and a request for information sent to space authorities in ELLP. Results of a questionnaire analysis (based on 111 responses) status reports from these four countries and a discussion of relevant literature, including best practices constitute the main sections of the document. Some of the space awareness resources prepared by the European Commission as well as the European Space Agency are also presented. SAAP is first ever space awareness raising action plan in Europe, which attempts to bring together space awareness resources, both in Europe and elsewhere, so that policy makers can identify the resources which meet their needs and plan their awareness activities in an efficient manner.
To conclude the activities of NBS, the conference Broadening the Base of Europes Space Community was organized on February 2012 in Tallinn with the attendance of 135 unique participants. Since the conference was mainly targeted to ELLP, then more than 80% of participants came from ELLP. The conference was focused on how to prepare Central and Eastern-European countries, specifically Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian and Polish firms and the public sector, to cooperate with the European space industry and space organizations. The conference provided an excellent opportunity to acquire an overview of the space industry potential of the ELLP as well as the current status of space governance in ELLP. In addition, participants had an excellent opportunity to meet with the representatives of prominent European space companies (to name EADS, OHB as a few) and acknowledged representatives from European Space Organizations, e.g. ESA, EUMETSAT, EURISY, IAF etc.
Project Results:
The NordicBaltSat project concludes 4 functional work packages (WP):
WP 1 - Charting space potential and creating Joint Technology Programme
The most important results of WP1 have been quite high response rate during mapping exercise in ELLP, which allowed a fair analysis of space capabilities in the partner countries. Collection of responses across partner countries (task 1.2) accelerated significantly towards the end. Together with extensive use of relevant databases, total number of responses were finally over 200 (already by the end of October 2010), compared to the planned 150, as if Poland and Estonia were the main contributors to the increase.
In January 2011 a workshop was held with representatives of SSC, ISU and the partner countries at SSC premises in Solna, Sweden. At the workshop a work-logic was presented and accepted by the group as a viable and decide path forward.
The survey responses were analysed thoroughly and the participating organisations were categorised as having interests in one (or more) of the five categories: upstream - ground segment, upstream space segment, upstream human spaceflight, downstream interactive and downstream distributive. In a second dimension the organisations were identified as institutional or commercial.
The resulting profiles for the partner countries space sectors were compared to each other and areas of proficiency and synergies were identified. All countries had organisations covering most of the categories: Estonia stood out with a bias toward downstream applications. Poland together with Estonia has the most developed space sectors while Latvia and Lithuania are strong in specific fields such as lasers and piezo actuators. The results were mapped against ESA/EDA/EU list of critical technologies for non-dependence and 90 organisations were identified as being able to address items on the list. The inventory was reduced to around 60 after being reviewed by the partner countries.
In the survey the organisations were asked to position themselves in the ESA Technology Tree, (ETT). The results were analysed statistically for frequency of identification to Technology Domains, Technology Subdomains and Technology Groups. The responses were comparable between the partner countries expresses through organisations positioning themselves in largely the same domains, subdomains and technology groups independent of country.
It is important to mention that in the frame of the NBS survey no TRL levels were designated to the mapped technologies.
These results of the ETT positioning analysis were mapped against the harmonisation effort reported in the European Space Technology Master Plan (ESTMP) where many of the technology groups popular with the responding organisations are identified as not harmonised or only partly harmonised indicating an opportunity to contribute to the non-dependence of European space technology.
The results of the survey analysis for the countries were consistent with the assessments expressed by Baltic Space Round Table meeting memorandum from Vilnius, 2010 and the country profile provided in the survey results for the partner countries showed a sound understanding of the state of the respective space sectors.
The future of space activities in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland (ELLP) were analysed in a the context number of EU and ESA strategies and programmes and notably IAP, PECS and the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea region were identified as opportunities for joining the space value chain and the Baltic Sea Strategy was identified as a potential common interest around which to centre a joint technology plan.
In June 2011 the first draft of the JTP was issued by SSC/OHB and distributed for review of the partner countries. Responding to feedback the JTP was updated and the updated draft was presented to the ESA PECS office in mid-October 2011. While ESA was cautious not to have an explicit opinion about the conclusions of the survey and the assessment of opportunities, ESA expressed appreciation for the work and an interest in the results. The same month early results from the draft JTP was presented to the Polish Ministry of Economy demonstrating its usefulness.
Also in October, NBS and the work on JTP were presented at IAC-62 in Cape Town.
Version 1 of the JTP was issued and printed for the NBS conference in Tallinn in early February 2012 where it was presented in a dedicated presentation to the delegates. The same version was submitted to REA as a deliverable. Responding to preliminary feedback it was reworked by OHB as main author slightly into an extended by more thorough conclusions version 1.1.
WP2 - Capacity building and cooperation development between emerging space countries and ESA
The coherence between the 3 tasks in this work package became clearer in the course of the project. The first training courses revealed a rather different level of experience with project management techniques in each of the different countries. This was also linked to the different status related to ESA. Indeed, the countries with PECS status and near ESA Membership status clearly had more experience in submitting proposals for EC FP and ESA contracts.
The need was therefore identified to tailor the efforts in accordance with the individual desiderata, in contrast to the original planning to give identical information to each country. It goes without saying that such tailoring lead to increased use of resources and it was therefore suggested to conduct the advanced training via modern multimedia techniques. This was highly appreciated by the different partners for different reasons. It did not only save travel time for the companies but also allowed for more individual and confidential exchanges. Evidently this also reduced the use of manpower resources and travel costs for ISU which therefore can be partially used to balance the aforementioned tailoring.
Another synergy was noted in the individual mentoring programs. In the first step a large pool of potential mentors were gathered with different specialities. This pool was then compared to the mapping efforts as described in WP1 as well as the individual questions expressed in the separate training sessions. As a result a number of mentors were carefully selected having the necessary knowledge and experience in the different areas and/or subsystems. In order to make these sessions more interactive, the idea was developed to bring the mentors in direct contact with the entrepreneurs at the time of the workshop in Tallinn early February 2012.
This interaction turned out to be a considerable success and let to a high level of satisfaction from the entrepreneurs. The direct face to face discussions resulted in a lot of directive advising and in some occasions allowed to solve a number of misconceptions. The mentorship program will be continued after the conclusion of the contract and a first meeting is already organised in April in Luxemburg. It is evident that other links will continue to exist which provides for a good continuation of the intended networking, over and above the contractual duration.
The numbers of attendees for the "Training courses for entrepreneurs how to do business with ESA"
Estonia - 35
Latvia - 40
Lithuania - 43
Poland - 35
WP3 - Shaping national space governance systems in emerging space countries
Also in this work package the interrelation between the different tasks became evident during the project. From the different policy sessions and based upon the questionnaires one of the paramount needs identified was to provide a practical guide to the space supporters in each of the countries which could serve to convince policy makers. This resulted in an overseeable booklet (SAAP) which is basically providing:
A generic overview of space awareness tools with an emphasis on social media;
An overview of the space awareness efforts made in each of the ELLP countries;
An overview of the results of the survey, which allows policy makers to benchmark with other countries and provides best practice examples;
A methodology and tools to construct an awareness plan;
Reference material on EC and ESA efforts in this field.
It should be noted that in separate inlay boxes different examples are developed of tangible spin-offs and advantages of results from space activities. The idea behind these tangible examples is to provide some possible points of interest depending on the individual interest of the respective policy makers.
Another recommendation followed from discussions at the earlier workshops was to clearly divide the SAAP in accordance with the target groups assumed to be interested in each chapter. Using pictograms the four target groups, namely
General public;
Space entrepreneurs;
Academia;
Policy makers,
can therefore extract the information which is deemed to be most applicable for them.
All the elements were then brought together in a workshop which took place in Tallinn in the period of 1-3 February 2012. At this workshop the sessions were grouped in accordance with the different work packages, each time including interaction with the public in public debates.
A highlight of the symposium were also the different speakers demonstrating an area of particular interest to the audience, such as
The policy point of view;
The industry point of view;
A presentation on the IAF activities;
A presentation of GMES activities.
The audience of 130 participants were following the presentations with great interest and were able to interact both with these specialists as well as with a number of space experts, present in the framework of the mentorship program.
The numbers of attendees for the "Space governance training course for space policy-makers around Baltic Sea"
Estonia - 30
Latvia - 29
Lithuania - 30
Poland - 31
WP 4 Dissemination and exploitation
This WP was realised as planned in the DoW and it proceeded in line with the general progress of the project, i.e. the effort in the first year was focused on promoting the project objectives (Tasks 4.1. and 4.4) while dissemination of the project results and of the elaborated training materials (Tasks 4.2 and 4.3) were executed in the second year. The deviation from the DoW was replacing the means of publishing the best practice cases in the mentorship programme with editing, printing and distribution of the comprehensive ELLP Space Directory of the companies and institutions from the Baltic States and Poland, instead of publishing on the website. All WP 4 tasks ran from month 1 through month 24. The most important results of the WP4 were: the widespread information about the project in the European space community and, especially in the Baltic countries and Poland, awareness and knowledge level of space-related issues substantially raised among local governments (esp. the ministries dealing with space topics) and high-tech industries interested in entering space business. As untraditional dissemination activity attendance on the International Astronautical Congress IAC62 can be considered. Two abstracts from NBS project were submitted and approved, respective papers were written and presentations were made by NBS partners.
Project results dissemination continues after the end of the project on the NBS website: www.nordicbaltsat.eu. The NBS web will be extended by subsection Who is Who in Baltic States and Poland Space. All partners and the project community are requested to provide national news to be uploaded to the NBS web. NBS web will be kept open for at least two years after the end of the project.
The Space Directory distribution.
Total 500 copies of directory printed:
ELLP Space Directory distribution on the events:
- For visitors IAC62, Cape Town, 3 7.10.2011 60 copies
- For visitors AIRTEC Conference, 2 4.11.2011 Frankfurt 10 copies
- For visitors EU Space Conference, 8 9.11.2011 Brussels 10 copies
- For visitors NordicBaltSat final conference, 2 3.02.2012 Tallinn 140 copies
ELLP Space Directory distribution in project partner countries:
- Estonia 50 copies
- Latvia 70 copies
- Lithuania 70 copies
- Poland 70 copies
- France 10 copies (ISU 5, ESA 5)
- Sweden 10 copies
Potential Impact:
Activity:
1) Joint Technology Programme (JTP)
Impact for Estonia
JTP proved to be as a very useful starting point for preparing and advancing of Estonian national space policy and for highlighting the potential of the emerging space sector in Estonia. Entrepreneurs got much more aware about ESA requirements in terms of technology tree as well as critical space technologies approach. Altogether JTP has laid fertile ground for future cooperation with ESA and space actors elsewhere.
Impact for Latvia
JTP helped to identify the technology areas where Latvia is more experienced, thus to find possible cooperation fields and synergy areas. Making of JTP has also helped to identify the topics, where Latvia can contribute when becoming PECS country (planned in 2013). JTP information helped to present Latvian capabilities to potential partners during mobility visits of Latvian Space technologies cluster.
Impact for Lithuania
JTP plays very important role in mapping the national capabilities of Lithuania to existing European programmes and suggest ways to take advantage or the opportunities found. JTP will prove useful as a starting point for preparing national space policies and for highlighting the potential of the emerging space sector.
Impact for Poland
JTP (together with Space Directory) provided very useful and highly appreciated input to the on-going accessions talks between Poland and ESA. The Ministry of Economy (that is in charge of the negotiations from the Polish side) expressed gratitude for receiving a set of analytical and informative materials, which had not been previously available in Poland.
2) Space Awareness Action Plan (SAAP)
Impact for Estonia
Many discussions were held starting from more localized idea to establish Estonian Space Society and finishing it with an idea to investigate the ways to create kind of regional space society jointly for ELLP. Launching a Hanseatic Space League has been prominently suggested as an excellent opportunity for the emerging space countries in ELLP region.
Impact for Latvia
SAAP has helped to define the best practices for increasing space awareness among Latvian society. For instance, Latvia became regional partner in European Satellite Navigation Competition. Suggestions and conclusions made in SAAP were included in the Latvian National Space Strategy and the Strategy of Latvian Space Technologies cluster.
Impact for Lithuania
Very important task of NBS project was to create public awareness of the benefits of space R&D and explain why space is an essential part of everyday infrastructure we take for granted. Moreover, NBS projects impact on Lithuanian students and young people is very important: it arrests the imagination of children and no wonder, that presently they are designing Lithuanian nano satellite first of its kind in whole history of Lithuania.
Impact for Poland
NBS project helped to enlarge the national space community by identifying, training, mentoring and integrating new industrial and academic entities that had been unfamiliar with space activities so far. A message on new possibilities associated with space activities was spread in the university and industrial environments, encouraging students and young employees to consider careers in the aerospace sector.
3) Trainings for Entrepreneurs and mentorship programme
Impact for Estonia
Training events which were directly targeted to Estonian entrepreneurs received very warm support and as a result there was impressive number of participants in all events. Even mentorship programme was somewhat overbooked in terms of local interests.
Impact for Latvia
Seminars helped Latvian companies and research institutes to expand the understanding of ways to access the European supply chain, prepare the space projects and apply for tenders in the future. Mentoring helped Latvian companies representatives to clarify questions that will allow working on European level space projects.
Impact for Lithuania
Mentorship programme involved high level government officials and professors from the universities and was very useful to initiate future European projects, related to space technologies. One of such projects is related to new approach to nano satellites attitude control system, based on the application of smart multi-degree-of-freedom piezoelectric actuators.
Impact for Poland
Trainings improved the knowledge on space business and management of space projects among in the high-tech industry that resulted in an influx of new entities to the PECS programme in 2012. In addition, a group of young, well-educated entrepreneurs got much encouragement and now they have created their own space/geoinformation start-ups, hence preventing their likely emigration from Poland or engaging in other, less advanced activities.
4) Trainings for Governmental Actors and Academia
Impact for Estonia
Numerous policy-makers (including civil servants) and even politicians in Estonia, who were occasionally involved in the space-related matters throughout the NBS project, substantially improved their knowledge of space policy and business (on the eve of drafting Estonian National Space Policy 2012-2020 and its application plan), hence allowing more smooth interaction with industry and international players in the sector.
Impact for Latvia
Involvement of representatives of public authorities (Ministry of Education and Science, Ministry of Economy, Investment and Development Agency of Latvia) in NordicBaltSat activities (surveys, seminars) increased their awareness level and understanding of current space issues and problems in Latvia.
Impact for Lithuania
The Lithuanian Space Association actively participated in the events, organized within framework of NBS and it led to government decision to develop the Lithuanian Space Policy in June 2010. The appointment of the Ministry of Economy to implement this policy demonstrates that the country is renewing its commitment to space activities.
Impact for Poland
Trainings gave significant support to a more stable and better focused coordination and financing of space activities in Poland (PECS funds, national space programme). NBS project also contributed to integrating the national space community through participation of engineers and managers originating from various entities and parts of the country in training courses and other events.
5) Creation of Space Directory
Impact for Estonia
Though some Estonian organisations are already in some extent connected to the European and global space and aerospace sectors, there is still a lot of unused potential, which can be now more easily activated thanks to comprehensive Space Directory, where all Estonian space potential is now published.
Impact for Latvia
The informative materials and Space Directory was very well evaluated by Latvian companies and research institutes. This is the first such material available here in Latvia. This valuable information will help to get in contact with possible partners in the Baltic States and Poland and get to know other possible partners from Latvia.
Impact for Lithuania
Space Directory presents perfect data base to evaluate potential of Lithuanian companies and universities, including specialized research institutions. Presently it is widely used by authorities to plan the funding of space related research. Lithuanian Science Council and Agency for Science, Innovation and Technology (MITA) established special funding for projects, related to space technologies.
Impact for Poland
Same impact as from the trainings for Governmental Actors and Academia (see above)
6) Follow-up activities
Impact for Estonia
NBS project supported a launch of dedicated training and qualification program for Estonian companies, who want to join European space and aerospace industry and participate directly or indirectly in related European programmes. Nationwide programme, which started on January 2012 has set an objective to prepare guidelines for Estonian SME`s participation in international space and aerospace tenders.
Impact for Latvia
NBS project helped to justify the need of further development of space field to political management and public sector representatives, thus ensuring further funding of research projects as well as initiating new national support programs. For example, in spring 2012 there is opened new program administrated by Investment and Development Agency of Latvia with available funding for further activities of Latvian Space Technologies Cluster.
Impact for Lithuania
Important aspect when considering the projects NBS impact on Lithuania is the fact that Lithuania signed Cooperation Agreement with ESA, thus clearing the way to full membership. Herein Lithuania followed Estonia and Latvia, which signed Cooperation Agreements in 2009. NBS project gave support for continuation of preparing International Conference Space Economy in the Multipolar World.
Impact for Poland
NBS project facilitated networking between the Polish space entrepreneurs and representatives of space community from the Baltic States. Discussions on joint initiatives and smaller scale commercial ventures were initiated during the NBS events.
List of Websites:
The NordicBaltSats official website is: http://www.nordicbaltsat.eu/
Member of the Project Management Board:
Mr. Madis Võõras
Position: Advisor, administrator of the space programme
Tel: +372 627 9795
Mobile: +3725047934
Fax: +372 6279701
E-mail: madis.vooras@eas.ee
Mr. Mart Vihmand
Position: Development consultant, NordicBaltSat internal reporting coordinator
Tel: +372 627 9357
Mobile:+372 535 11 080
E-mail: mart.vihmand@eas.ee
Address: Lasnamäe 2, 11412 Tallinn, Estonia
Web: www.eas.ee/space
1.5.1 Invent Baltics OÜ - Assistant to Project Coordinator
Mr. Kristo Reinsalu
Position: Consultant
Tel: +3725108736
Fax: +372 6838001
E-mail: kristo.reinsalu@invent.ee
Address: Teaduspargi 6/1, 12618 Tallinn, Estonia
Web: www.invent.ee/en
