Latvian students won three bronze medals at the 19th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics in Hanoi, Vietnam, competing against peers from 65 countries, the news agency LETA was informed by the State Education Development Agency (VIAA).
On 5 September, the Spectrum launch vehicle built by the German company Isar Aerospace lifted off from Andøya Spaceport in Norway, reached Earth orbit and deployed its satellites. It is the first time a private European company has delivered a payload to orbit using a launch vehicle of its own design, and also the first orbital launch from continental Europe. The mission was co-funded by the European Space Agency (ESA), of which Latvia has been an Associate Member since 2020.
ESA BIC Latvia invites startups developing space technologies or using space data, technologies and services in their products to apply.
On 16 and 17 September, ESA Industry Space Days 2026 (ISD2026) took place at ESA's technology centre ESTEC in the Netherlands. This is one of the most significant events in the European space sector, where companies, research organisations and agencies seek collaboration partners, build contacts and discuss opportunities to participate in upcoming space projects.
During the international Industry Space Days 2026 event at the European Space Agency’s ESTEC facility in Noordwijk, the Netherlands, the Latvian Mobile Telephone (LMT) Group and the globally leading space consultancy Novaspace signed a cooperation agreement on the development of a concept for telecommunications innovation platform for Latvia to link the national connectivity sector with the international satellite industry. The initiative follows the successful ESA 5G/6G Non-Terrestrial Network Hub model and will explore Latvia’s potential role within this network.
Latvia has reaffirmed its strong commitment to international cooperation, responsible governance, and the peaceful use of outer space during the 69th session of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS).
Only a few weeks left to apply for the European Space Agency Business Incubatin Centre (ESA BIC) Latvia Spring Call.
Building on the success of previous editions, registrations are now open for the 6th European Space Agency (ESA) Teach with Space Online Conference, taking place on Wednesday 8 and Thursday 9 July 2026. This international event by ESA Education invites teachers and educators to discover how space can be used as a powerful and inspiring context for teaching STEM subjects.
A unique career opportunity in the European space sector is now open exclusively to candidates from Latvia. The European Space Agency (ESA) National Graduate Trainee (NGT) Programme is currently accepting applications for two positions, offering recent graduates and final year Master’s students the chance to gain hands-on experience in a leading international space organisation.
EU Space Days 2026 is the flagship annual event of the European Commission on space policy, business, and innovation, taking place on 26–27 May 2026 at the Hilton Nicosia in Nicosia, Cyprus.
Latvia’s space sector continues to develop, and an increasing number of companies and research organisations are showing interest in participating in European Space Agency (ESA) projects. To strengthen the ability of Latvian entities to compete successfully in ESA procurements, a practical guide titled “Bidding for ESA Contracts: The Essential Guide – Latvia” has been developed.
The Republic of Latvia signed the Artemis Accords Monday during a ceremony hosted by NASA at the agency’s headquarters in Washington, becoming the 62nd nation to commit to responsible space exploration for all humanity.
GeoHub is a geospatial data platform developed by Baltic Satellite Service that supports the processing, analysis, and use of satellite and other spatial data for practical applications across multiple sectors.
On March 31, the annual seminar on Latvia’s participation in the European Space Agency (ESA) national programme (Requesting Party Activities – RPA) took place at the Space Exploration Centre. During the event, ESA representatives provided practical guidance on developing project proposals, the structure of the RPA programme, funding opportunities, and participation mechanisms.
Registration is now open for the European Spave Agency's (ESA) Briefing dedicated to the ESA National Programme: Requesting Party Activities (RPA).
At the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) of the University of Latvia (UL), the implementation of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service National Collaboration Programme (CAMS NCP) in Latvia has been launched. This initiative is part of the European Commission’s Copernicus Earth Observation component of the EU Space Programme, which aims to provide high-quality atmospheric observation and forecast data to support decision-making across the environment, health, energy, and climate sectors.
Latvian technology company LMT Group has announced a strategic 12-month development initiative in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA) to pioneer a new generation of universal IoT (Internet of Things) connectivity. The project aims to develop an IoT module that operates across mobile networks and satellite networks, enabling devices to remain connected almost anywhere.
Latvian space technology startup Deep Space Energy has raised €350,000 in pre-seed funding from two sources: firstly the local Outlast Fund and secondly from Linas Sargautis, co-founder of the Lithuanian space startup NanoAvionics (now Kongsberg NanoAvionics).
The ESERO (European Space Education Resource Office) Latvia information day brought together representatives from the Ministry of Education and Science, European Space Agency (ESA), and national education stakeholders (both from Riga and regional cities such as Cēsis, Liepāja and Daugavpils) to explore the role of ESA education programmes and the future implementation of ESERO in Latvia.
On Wednesday, 22 January, during a working visit to Riga, the Director of the Secure Communications and Connectivity (CSC) and the Head of European Centre for Space Applications and Telecommunications (ECSAT) of the European Space Agency (ESA), Laurent Jaffart, met with representatives of ministries, ESA’s industrial coordinator in Latvia, and six leading Latvian technology companies.
Apply until 31st January to become the Research Medical Doctor implementing the biomedical programme at Concordia Station in Antarctica!
On Wednesday, 14 January, the European Space Agency (ESA) delegate training took place at the Ministry of Education and Science. This was the first time such training was held in Latvia and represents a significant contribution to ensuring effective representation of Latvia within ESA.
For the first time since the launch of the NATO Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (NATO DIANA) in 2022, a Latvian startup, "Deep Space Energy", has received programme support. The company competed in the category "Resilient Space Operations". Deep Space Energy works on resilient power supply solutions for space applications based on scalable radioisotope systems.
On November 27, the European Space Agency (ESA) Ministerial Council meeting concluded in Bremen, Germany. Latvia was represented by a delegation led by the Minister for Education and Science, Dace Melbārde. At this most important triennial political meeting, held from 26 to 27 November, the ESA Ministerial Council agreed on the overall budget, priorities, and future investments in the European space sector. Latvia confirmed its participation in several strategically important ESA programmes that will provide practical benefits for society, science, security, and the national economy.
Since 2020, Latvia’s participation in the European Space Agency (ESA) programmes has become a significant investment in the country’s economy. This involvement strengthens national scientific and innovation capacity, fosters the development of new technologies, and generates solutions that increasingly find their way into everyday life.
The Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry (LSIWC) and Dr.sc.ing. Uģis Cābulis have received the prestigious Plastics Industry Awards 2025 in the category “Polyurethane Innovation”, becoming winners in one of the most significant categories of the year.
Europe is preparing for a historic moment as Themis (T1H) performs its first “hop test” — a take-off and landing trial — at the Esrange Space Centre in Sweden, under the EU-funded SALTO project. Themis (T1H) is a reusable first-stage demonstrator developed by ArianeGroup as the prime contractor under ESA’s Future Launchers Preparatory Programme (FLPP) and powered by the Prometheus® reusable cryogenic engine.
Space is within reach! The European Space Agency is inviting students to apply for its 2026 Student Internship Programme. Whether you're into engineering, science, IT, business, economics or social sciences, there’s a place for you among the stars. Explore opportunities and apply by 30 November.
Airbus (stock exchange symbol: AIR), Leonardo (Borsa Italiana: LDO) and Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (“MoU”) aimed at combining their respective space activities into a new company.
The Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry (LSIWC) and its Scientific Director, Dr. Uģis Cābulis, have been shortlisted for the Plastics Industry Awards 2025 in the category Polyurethane Innovation. This is an important international recognition that highlights the institute’s competence and contribution to advanced materials research and development.
