On October 17th, 2023, I had the pleasure of participating in the Space Café WebTalk titled “33 minutes with Paul Liias – Is space legal in Estonia and why should you come to Tallinn for Halloween?” During this engaging session, I shared insights into Estonia’s evolving space policy, the Software Defined Space Conference and the exciting opportunities it presents for our nation’s growth.
Space Estonia
As the Head of Space Policy at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communication, I have been deeply involved in shaping the Estonian Space Policy and Program 2020-2027. Our focus is now on developing national space legislation and a decentralized e-government solution for Space Traffic Management. This work is crucial for providing legal certainty and fostering a supportive environment for industry, academia, and government investments in the space sector.
Estonia’s journey in the space sector began with the ESTCube-1 satellite project in 2008, where I led the development of mechanical systems. Since then, we have made significant strides, and I am proud to lead the Estonian delegation to the European Space Agency and the European Union Space Programme. Our goal is to create a robust space policy that encourages growth and innovation.
Space Law
One of the key points I discussed during the WebTalk was the importance of establishing a comprehensive space law in Estonia. Without such legislation, there is uncertainty about liabilities and opportunities for companies, which can hinder investment and growth.
Creating a space law involves understanding the real problems we aim to solve, effective communication to build a narrative, assembling a supportive team, and learning from the successes of other countries. By addressing these essentials, we can pave the way for a thriving space sector in Estonia.
Looking ahead, our focus is on creating an environment that supports the growth of space companies. This includes fostering opportunities through involvement in organizations like the European Space Agency and promoting space tech-related education. By accelerating student activity and industry engagement, we can ensure a vibrant future for space Estonia.
Software Defined Space Conference
All these topics mentioned in the WebTalk, like Space Estonia, Space Policy, Space Law, will be discussed also at our annual Software Defined Space Conference in Tallinn.
For a more detailed discussion, you can watch the full WebTalk here.