What does full membership in the European Space Agency (ESA) mean for Slovenia?
Starting in 2025, Slovenia became a full member of ESA, which opens the door to many strategic and economic opportunities and strengthens its competitiveness in the global space sector. More specifically, membership according to the State Secretary at the Ministry of Economy, Tourism and Sports Matevža Frangeža brings many opportunities for the growth of the Slovenian space sector and the development of technological innovations. The space sector in Slovenia currently consists of more than 40 companies, research institutes and three universities. They are among the leaders in the world with innovative solutions in the field of space in certain niches, such as Earth observation, the development of innovative materials and artificial intelligence. “Our vision is not only to develop technology that will be useful in space, but also to invest in the creation of a series of civilian applications from space innovations that will improve life on Earth,” said the Frenchman.
The Slovenian space sector has developed rapidly in recent years. Some companies have taken a leading role in niche areas such as Earth observation, the development of innovative materials and artificial intelligence. Key achievements include three successfully launched satellites (Nemo-HD, Trisat and Trisat R), the development of satellite technologies for security and communication, and cooperation with global players such as NASA.
By cooperating with Esa, Slovenian companies have developed various solutions, from applications for monitoring the state of water, drought and natural disasters to specialized control and data systems, materials for difficult space conditions, and robotics and communication technologies. Among the most important achievements are the microcoolers and equipment used on Europe’s Ariane 6 rocket and NASA’s Artemis 1 mission.
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Slovenian companies participated in the development of microcoolers and equipment that were used on the European Ariane 6 rocket.
Everyday benefits
An example is a miniature camera from the Slovenian satellite Trisat, which is now used in a smart washing machine to recognize laundry by color and material.
The most recognizable example is navigation in smartphones, which is based on communication with navigation satellites. The European Commission and ESA developed Galileo, the most accurate satellite navigation system in the world. Satellites also provide accurate weather forecast, accurate time used by banks, stock exchanges and other financial systems, their use goes back even further. Due to advanced data processing, they are important in agriculture, insurance and energy.
Companies like Sinergise enable advanced processing of satellite data with the Sentinel Hub platform, which has a wide range of applications – from agriculture to defense. Slovenia is also actively developing technologies for robotics, solutions for autonomous vehicles and for human health.
Slovenian scientists in the Laboratory for Gravitational Physiology at the Planica Nordic Center study the effects of weightlessness and extreme conditions on the human body through experiments that include weightlessness simulations and research on muscle mass loss. One of only three Esa human centrifuges is also available at the center for research purposes.
Team
The transmission and distribution network is facing a historic investment cycle
Also new jobs and, over time, the establishment of the Slovenian space agency
Key benefits of full membership
– Equal participation in decision-making on all key decisions in Esa.
– Strengthening international cooperation and recognition of Slovenia in the space sector.
– Access to new programs that strengthen research, development and commercialization of technologies.
– The possibility of a greater geographical reimbursement of funds in the form of projects for Slovenian companies.
– Contribution to sustainable development and digitization and the creation of new jobs.
According to the head of the Slovenian Space Agency Tanje Permozer the acquisition of the status of a full member of ESA is an important recognition for Slovenia, as it places the country in the space elite, and it also brings many strategic and economic advantages. It enables it to participate equally in decision-making on all key decisions in Esa, strengthen international cooperation and recognition of Slovenia in the space sector, access to new programs that strengthen research, development and commercialization of technologies, the possibility of greater geographical reimbursement of funds in the form of projects for Slovenian companies, contribution towards sustainable development and digitization and the creation of new jobs.
According to Permozer, the way is also opening for the establishment of a Slovenian space agency. The Slovenian space sector is not yet mature enough for the national space agency, he estimates. He hopes to get it within five years.
Slovenia on January 10
Full membership in Slovenia will be celebrated with a ceremony on January 10, 2025 in the Noordung Center in Vitanje with a central ceremony. The keynote speaker at the ceremony, which he will design and direct Nejc Gazvodawill be Prime Minister Robert Dove and the general director of Esa Josef Aschbacher. On the same day, a summit between Slovenia and ESA will be held in Rimske Toplice, focused on the new opportunities that membership brings to the Slovenian space sector.
From 2009 until today
Slovenia has been cooperating with ESA since 2009, when it signed an agreement for European participating countries. In 2016, it strengthened its cooperation with the approach to associate membership, and in 2020 upgraded it with an association agreement. In 2024, with the ratification of the agreement on full membership, it took the last step towards full integration into ESA.
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The European Space Agency is based in Paris.
To date, more than 60 contracts have been signed with Esa, which enabled high-tech projects of Slovenian companies and institutions. The geographical return on funds, with which Esa measures the performance of a country, is greater than 1 for Slovenia, which means that we are drawing more than 100 percent of the invested funds.
Full membership in Esa for Slovenia brings additional financial obligations. The membership fee has increased from the previous 500,000 euros to approximately 2.8 million euros. In addition, upon accession, Slovenia will also pay a one-off amount of 1.7 million euros.
Source: svet24.si
