On October 18th, 2022, I had the pleasure of participating in the Space Café WebTalk titled “33 minutes with Paul Liias – Why should you go to Tallinn, Estonia in October?” During this insightful session, I shared my experiences and the exciting developments in Estonia’s space policy and sector.
The Role of Estonia in the European Space Scenario
Estonia is renowned for its cybersecurity software development and unicorn companies. By collaborating with the European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Commission, we have identified cybersecurity and software development as key areas where Estonia can make significant contributions. Our efforts are not limited to technology development; we are also looking to participate in larger missions with other EU Member States and beyond.
The Central Role of Cybersecurity in Estonia’s Space Policy
Cybersecurity, particularly space cybersecurity, is a major focus for us. Protecting our investments in space infrastructure from both military threats and unpredictable hacker attacks is essential. By addressing these challenges, we aim to make the space domain safer and more secure. More about Estonian Space Policy can be read in my article Estonia’s space policy – prioritizing e-gov, cybersecurity and AI.
Space Estonia-Academia-Industry Interaction
The cooperation between the Space Estonia (Estonian Space Office), academia, and industry is vital for the success of our space policy. By working closely together, we can ensure that the right projects are financed and that our space program thrives. Collaboration with ESA Member States and other countries is also key to our success.
E-Residency and Talent Attraction
To address the challenge of limited human resources, Estonia has introduced the e-Residency program, allowing anyone to become a resident and start a company in Estonia. Additionally, various startup visa programs help attract foreign talent to our space sector.
Software Defined Space Conference 2022
I also discussed the upcoming Software Defined Space Conference 2022, scheduled for October 26th. This event will explore how software-defined solutions can enhance satellite security and address space traffic management, observational data, and defense. The conference aims to inspire newcomers and provide a comprehensive overview of the space cybersecurity sector. It will feature a mix of technical and policy sessions, fostering idea exchange between policymakers, engineers, and scientists. The event is hybrid, allowing participation both in person and virtually. To learn more or register, visit the conference website.
For a more detailed discussion, you can watch the full WebTalk here.