Lithuania is making waves as a spacefaring nation. With an ambitious goal for the space sector to contribute 1% of the country’s GDP by 2027, Lithuania is paving the way for innovation and global collaboration. Currently, the nation is actively engaged in 30 European Space Agency (ESA) projects, attracting over €5 million in investments for its businesses.
What makes Lithuania a spacefaring nation? How does it contribute to global challenges in space? We explored these questions with Eigirdas Sarkanas, a Space Hub expert at the Innovation Agency.
Lithuania: Building Its Presence in Space
Can Lithuania truly be called a spacefaring nation? While there are no official criteria, it’s clear that the country has taken significant strides. According to Sarkanas, any country that has ratified international treaties, developed a space industry, or uses satellite data for services can be considered a spacefaring nation.
For Lithuania, this journey began in 2012 with the ratification of UN space treaties. However, the technological leap came in 2014 with the launch of the first Lithuanian satellites, LituanicaSAT-1 and LitSat-1, developed by Kaunas University of Technology and Vilnius University. These milestones showcased the talent of Lithuanian scientists and engineers while marking the birth of the national space industry.
The launch of LituanicaSAT-1 also led to the creation of NanoAvionics, now one of the world’s leading small satellite manufacturers. Despite being acquired by Norway’s Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, NanoAvionics continues to operate in Lithuania, supporting local jobs and contributing to the economy.
Lithuania’s contributions to space technology are not limited to satellites. Decades earlier, Lithuanian scientist Algirdas Avižienis invented a self-repairing computer, which later became a critical component of NASA’s Voyager spacecraft. Another notable contributor to the Voyager mission was Lithuanian-American scientist Jonas Žmuidzinas.
A Strategic Partnership with ESA
The global space sector is booming, with its value expected to triple from EUR 554 billion in 2023 to EUR 1.66 trillion by 2033. To stay ahead, Lithuania became an associate member of ESA in 2021.
In 2022, the Space Hub was established under the Innovation Agency to connect Lithuanian businesses and researchers with ESA experts and international projects. Lithuania’s laser industry has already achieved success in ESA missions, such as the Aeolus satellite. Other sectors, like life sciences, are also entering the space domain, offering innovative solutions for extended space missions.
Making Space More Accessible
Space is becoming more accessible, with communication technologies like internet-providing satellites leading the market. Lithuania plays a key role here, with companies like Astrolight developing cutting-edge quantum and laser communication technologies recognised by ESA.
As the number of satellites in orbit grows exponentially, ensuring their safety and reliability is critical. Lithuanian company Sensmetry has earned international acclaim for its IT solutions, which not only detect but also predict satellite malfunctions, ensuring uninterrupted operations.
Another pressing challenge is space debris, which poses risks to satellites and equipment. Technologies such as lasers and robotic arms are being developed to address this, along with autonomous satellite servicing systems that promise to transform the industry.
In the near future, space tourism is expected to become more affordable. “It’s possible that, one day, the cost of a space trip will be comparable to a journey to Antarctica – around EUR 10,000,” predicts Sarkanas.
A New Era for Lithuania in Space
Lithuania’s role in the European space sector gained further momentum with the appointment of Andrius Kubilius as the European Commissioner for Defence and Space. This position allows Lithuania to highlight its achievements, debunk scepticism about space investments, and showcase how space technologies add value to everyday life.
For instance, satellite data is already helping Lithuania’s agricultural sector analyse crop conditions, saving thousands of hours of manual labour. These technologies are also being used for urban planning, environmental monitoring, and even flood prediction.
Space is no longer just an ambition for Lithuania – it’s a thriving, rapidly growing sector driving innovation and delivering tangible benefits for science, business, and society.
