International cooperation is central to space policy
The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment is responsible for international cooperation in the space sector with organisations such as the European Space Agency (ESA), the European Union (EU) and the (United Nations Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, UN COPUOS).
European Space Agency (ESA)
Headquartered in Paris, the European Space Agency (ESA) is an international organisation that promotes cooperation between its 22 member states in space research, science, technology and applications.
Finland has been a full member of the ESA since 1995. Finland’s annual contribution to the ESA budget has been EUR 19.5 million (0.6%). Most of these contributions are returned as contracts awarded to Finnish businesses and research institutes (geographic return). Through ESA, Finnish actors can take part in extensive joint projects, and gain global references. Business Finland coordinates Finnish participation in ESA programmes.
Finland has participated in programmes for remote sensing, telecommunications, navigation and the safe use of space in particular and also in several scientific programme projects.
From the beginning of 2023, Finland joined the European Space Agency's manned flights programme
ESA’s Terrae Novae exploration programme is leading Europe’s human journey into the Solar system using robots as precursors and scouts. Exploring space is about travelling farther and coming back with new experiences and knowledge to help us on Earth. Humankind will benefit from the new discoveries, ambitions, science, inspiration, and challenges.
Further information:
ESA Council: Kimmo Kanto (kimmo.kanto(at)businessfinland.fi), Tero Vihavainen - tero.vihavainen(at)gov.fi
Administrative and Finance Committee: Mervi Pasanen - mervi.pasanen(at)gov.fi
International Relations Committee: Tuija Ypyä - tuija.ypya(at)gov.fi
International Relations Committee, Industrial Policy Committee: Heidi Pennanen - heidi.pennanen(at)gov.fi, Tuija Ypyä - tuija.ypya(at)gov.fi
Administrative and Finance Committee, International Relations Committee: Tuija Ypyä - tuija.ypya(at)gov.fi
Manned flights programme (Human spaceflight, microgravity and exploration programme): Tuija Ypyä - tuija.ypya(at)gov.fi, Pauli Stigell (pauli.stigell(at)businessfinland.fi), Simo Lehtinen - simo.lehtinen(at)gov.fi
European Union
The Competitiveness Council discusses current space policy issues twice a year, in May-June and in November-December. The Council’s Working Party on Space is responsible for preparing matters for discussion. In Finland, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment is responsible for preparing space policy related matters for discussion in the Competitiveness Council and the Working Party on Space. Committee work related to the EU Space Programme is carried out by the Ministry of Transport and Communications and agencies within its administrative branch.
On 6 June 2018, the Commission published its proposal for a regulation establishing the space programme of the Union and the European Union Agency for the Space Programme. The proposal for the Space Programme Regulation is in line with the objectives of the European Space Strategy, published in October 2016. The proposal is being discussed by the Council and the Parliament.
The EU space programme’s sub-programmes include Galileo, a satellite navigation system; EGNOS, a regional satellite navigation system; Copernicus, Earth observation system; the Space Situational Awareness programme, and Govsatcom, a secure communications service for the authorities. The Regulation establishes the European Union Agency for the Space Programme, which will replace the existing European GNSS Agency.
Further information:
Competitiveness Council, Council's Working Party on Space: Jonna Lehtinen - jonna.lehtinen(at)gov.fi
The UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space COPUOS
COPUOS was set up by the General Assembly in 1959 to address issues related to the use and research of space, and to prepare draft conventions and resolutions. The Committee meets annually in Vienna. The Committee has two subsidiary bodies: The Legal Subcommittee and the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee. The Committee currently has 95 member states. Finland was accepted as a member of the Committee at the UN General Assembly in autumn 2018.
UN Space Treaties (Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts, Convention on International Liability for Damage, Convention on Registration of Objects, Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon) were prepared by the COPUOS in the 1960s and 1970s. Since then, it has proved very difficult to reach a consensus on new conventions or amendments conventions. The current development of space law is largely based on non-binding resolutions and guidelines drafted by the Committee and other international cooperation bodies, which Member States can incorporate into their national legislation. In summer 2019, Guidelines for the Long-term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space were adopted.
Further information:
Tero Vihavainen - tero.vihavainen(at)gov.fi
Tuija Ypyä - tuija.ypya(at)gov.fi
