The Big Data from Space (BiDS) 2025 conference will be held from 29th September to 3rd October in Riga, Latvia, marking the seventh edition of this globally recognized event. The official call for papers and satellite events is now open, and interested participants will find all the latest updates on the conference website at https://www.bigdatafromspace2025.org.
Latvian space technology start-ups can apply for the European Space Agency Business Incubation Centre "ESA BIC Latvia" incubation programme. The programme will support 12 start-ups over the next five years with €60,000 each in funding, mentoring, advice and other support.
On March 6, 2025, Europe’s Ariane 6 rocket successfully launched for the second time from French Guiana, delivering the CSO-3 satellite into orbit. This milestone marks the first commercial flight of the Ariane 6 (Flight VA263), with all phases of the mission executing flawlessly, including the reignition of the Auxiliary Propulsion Unit (APU) and the third boost of the Vinci engine.
On 3-4 April 2025, ESA is organising an information event for industry dedicated to the upcoming ESA Council at Ministerial Level in November.
On February 28, 2025, the Latvian Academy of Sciences (LAS) held a ceremony to recognize scientists and research groups whose work was among the twelve most significant scientific achievements in 2024. One of the achievements was Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry applied research "European launcher Ariane-6 first flight with cryogenic insulation material developed in Latvia".
This is a significant opportunity for national and regional stakeholders to influence the future of space policy and EU funding. With consultations now open, stakeholders are invited to shape the direction of European space initiatives, ensuring that investments and policies align with the evolving needs of both local and global communities.
Nearly 14 million euros will be available to support innovation for students, and new projects can be launched by the end of the year. Meanwhile, in the previous grant program, students of Riga Technical University (RTU) began developing technologies for rocket launches, and the team continues the work with the support of a company.
As part of the EO-BALP project, Baltic Satellite Service and Lithuanian, Estonian, and Latvian partners have created various apps available on the GEOHUB platform, including Forest Monitoring Service. This application allows users to access satellite data to monitor clear-cut and forest health risks.
On February 6th, Prime Minister Evika Siliņa and Minister of Education and Science Anda Čakša visited the Engineering Research Institute Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre (ERI VIRAC) of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences (VUAS), to discuss Latvia's technological opportunities. Following their visit to ERI VIRAC, the Prime Minister and Minister A. Čakša emphasized the importance of the infrastructure in Irbene at both national and international levels.
The first Tender Evaluation Board (TEB) for Space startups is officially closed. The team of experts consisted of ESA BIC Latvia Manager Lev Lapkis, ESA BIC Commercialisation Officer Maud Moullec, and Head of the Latvian delegation to ESA Kaspars Karolis with the help of local Space economy experts from RTU Science and Innovation Centre,the Institute of Aeronautics of RTU FMETA and Institute for Environmental Solutions.
On 3rd February, Dr Lana Frančeska Dreimane, the director of the Department of Higher Education, Science and Innovation at the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Latvia, delivered a speech at the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) 62nd Session of the Scientific and Technical Sub-Committee (STSC), which took place in Vienna, Austria.
The Horizon Europe Work Programme 2025 is currently in its advanced draft stage. The timescale from publication in the spring to proposal submission in September will be quite short. To foster collaboration, EMMC is organising a brokerage event to provide its organisational members with an opportunity to present their expertise in relation to anticipated call topics.
The 2025 ESA Graduate Trainee opportunities are now open! If you’re passionate about engineering, science, IT or business, this is your chance to turn your dreams into reality. This opportunity is open also to graduates from Latvia because Latvia is an ESA Associate Member state.
INNOspace Masters promotes ideas for the transfer of technology and expertise from other industries to the space sector (spin-ins/New Space) or from space to non-space sectors (spin-offs). The overall theme for the 2025 round of the competition is: Energise Our Future – Cross-Industry Innovations Linking Earth and Space. Submission is open until 24 March 2025.
Professor Bernard Foing's scientific seminar at the Institute of Astronomy at the Faculty of Science and Technology of the University of Latvia (UL) and UL NSP FOTONIKA-LV, titled "Earth-Moon-Mars Missions, Instruments, Space Photonics, Laboratory and Field Tests, Astronauts Training, Innovation, and Business", will be held online on Zoom on 28th January at 4 PM.
The European Space Agency (ESA) invites members of the space community to attend the New Capabilities and Countries in European Space Sector Conference at ESA/ESRIN (Frascati, Italy) on 14-15 May 2025.
Due to the increase in damage by the eight-toothed spruce bark beetles in the managed territory, last year the Joint Stock Company “Latvia’s State Forests” (LVM) started work on the development of an algorithm for identifying potentially damaged spruce stands, so that in the long term economic activity could be planned to limit damage by bark beetles in the designated stands. The algorithm is based on high-resolution Sentinel-2 satellite images covering the entire territory of the country.
In July of last year, the European Space Agency's (ESA) Ariane-6 rocket delivered artificial satellites into space. The successful rocket launch is also a credit to Latvian scientists. A unique material developed at the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry protects the rocket’s fuel tanks from the extremely low temperatures in space.
In the future, it may become almost impossible to carry out unsanctioned construction without being noticed. In 2025, Latvia will begin testing how satellite images could be used in the fight against illegal building. The pilot project's goal is to develop a mechanism that will connect landscape changes with documentation from databases and, even without building authority experts' inspections, allow officials to determine whether construction work is authorised.
ESA's Big Data Foundations for Earth Observation 2025 course, taking place in Riga from 22-26 September 2025, will be a dedicated precursor to the Big Data from Space (BiDS) 2025 Conference (29 September - 3 October). Please take a survey so that organizers can adjust the programme for your needs.
Latvian-born astronomer, graduate of the University of Latvia (UL) Kārlis Kaufmanis (1910–2003) became internationally renowned for his exceptional ability to bridge scientific discoveries with cultural and religious contexts. His famous "Star of Bethlehem Lecture", also aired on the international American broadcasting station "Voice of America", became a beloved Christmas tradition in the United States, delighting thousands of listeners. In this lecture, Kaufmanis provided a scientific explanation for the celestial symbol of the Star of Bethlehem from the Christian tradition, suggesting it may have been the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn - a rare astronomical event.
In December 2024, Europe’s groundbreaking reusable rocket first stage, Themis, reached a significant milestone with a successful 'full fit-check' at ArianeGroup’s facility in Les Mureaux, France. One of the partners implemeting this project is company based in Latvia 'SIA WIT Berry'.
Today, December 17, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the reallocation of the flexible budget of the Ministry of Education and Science, directing funding towards the annual contribution to the European Space Agency (ESA) programs. By the end of this year, a contribution of 1,897,634 EUR for 2025 is planned to be made to ESA. Combined with the already allocated funding, this will ensure the minimum contribution required under the international agreement, thereby supporting Latvia’s strategic goals in this important sector.
Latvia recently launched European Space Agency Business Incubation Centre in Latvia (ESA BIC Latvia), operated by Commercialization Reactor and partners. In the upcoming month there will be a few events that will help new starptups to launch their ideas in space.
The fifth fixed call for proposals under the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Requesting Party Activity (RPA) in Latvia has concluded, approving 10 projects with a total budget of €1,581,267. Thanks to Latvia’s status as an Associate Member of ESA, Latvian companies and research institutions can receive annual funding for the development of space technologies and solutions.
On 2 December Cabinet of Ministers approved the draft law proposed by the Ministry of Education and Science, which concerns approval of an international treaty, which sets the principles for countries’ activities in space exploration and the use of the Moon and other celestial bodies. Joining the treaty will promote the development of the space industry and international cooperation.
Space technologies are often associated with complex scientific discoveries or distant space exploration missions, but these activities comprise only a small part of the extensive space sector. From using online navigation apps to move around cities or rural areas to assessing and mitigating the aftermath of storms, space technologies significantly improve our daily lives.
On November 13, 2024, the European Space Agency Business Incubation Centre in Latvia (ESA BIC Latvia) was officially launched at the Science and Innovation Centre of Riga Technical University.
