Establishment of Finland’s national space situation centre investigated

A steering group appointed by the Ministry of Transport and Communications will investigate the establishment of a national space situation centre. As society's functioning depends on the services provided by satellite systems, an ability to observe events in near space is needed.

Services relying on satellite systems, such as telecommunications, earth observation and navigation are part of the everyday life of society. The purpose of the national space situation centre would be to produce and share information on space weather disturbances and dangerous situations caused by potential collisions of satellites launched into near space. Various authorities and the defence administration, research institutes and companies important for the uninterrupted functioning of society, such as power grid operators and telecommunications companies, need this type of information.

The aim of the steering group is to help form a common understanding of the ministries on the establishment of the space situation centre and its tasks. The term of the steering group is from 1 October 2022 to 31 March 2023.

The group met for the first time on 20 October 2022, chaired by Kaisa Laitinen, Director of Unit at the Ministry of Transport and Communications. In addition to the Ministry of Transport and Communications, the steering group includes representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of Education and Culture, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Finance. The secretariat of the steering group is from the Finnish Meteorological Institute, whose work is supported by permanent experts from the National Land Survey of Finland and the Defence Forces appointed to the steering group.

What next?

The final report of the steering group will be completed by 31 March 2023. The national space situation centre is planned to be established in stages between 2023 and 2035.

Inquiries:

Kaisa Laitinen, Director of Unit, Chair of the Steering Group, tel. +358 295 342 608, [email protected]

Vesa Häyrinen, Senior Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 295 342 368, [email protected]