ESTONIA - NEW PARTNER IN SPACE COMMUNITY

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ESTONIA NEW PARTNER IN SPACE COMMUNITY

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www.eas.ee/space

Enterprise Estonia is one of the largest agencies

in the national support system for entrepreneurship

in Estonia, providing financial assistance, consulta-

tion, cooperation opportunities and training. The

general budget of Enterprise Estonia in 2009 for all

programmes is about € 400 millon.

We are a locally approved expert organisation in

many industries and sectors of the economy, and we

are confident that space-related endeavours consti-

tute one of the main fronts for global progress and

unity of humankind.

We also believe that each country, no matter how

big or small, can contribute in its own special way

to the international space community and that this

commitment can be considered a step toward a bet-

ter future.

Even if it is a very small step, we will take it.

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Enterprise Estonia – in the role of Estonian Space Office

Enterprise Estonia, the principal Estonian R&D fund-

ing agency, acts as the executive body for space

activities and is the largest public investor in this

field. The task of Enterprise Estonia includes distrib-

uting space-related information to companies and

research institutions, organizing information days

and training events, supporting research and devel-

opment at the companies, and holding seminars and

conferences on space-related topics. Space-related

activities at Enterprise Estonia include the following

functions:

Information and advisory centre for space

activities including international activities;

Estonian Space Office & Contact Point for

communication with ESA;

Estonian representation in the International

Astronautical Federation (IAF);

Providing input information for the Estonian

professional institutions and experts as well as

for foreign organizations interested in space

activities in Estonia;

Supporting development of applied space science;

Facilitation of space industry development and

implementation of space applications.

Enterprise Estonia – Estonian Space Office

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Dear friends, partners, colleagues:

It is my pleasure to introduce here for the first

time a pamphlet on Estonian space activities. This

publication describes what Estonia can offer the

international space community along with detailed

descriptions of the present capabilities of Estonian

space industry and scientific institutions related to

space technologies and applications.

In the past, a number of Estonian leading astron-

omers and atmospheric scientists have significantly

contributed for investigation and understanding of

the universe and the planet Earth. Estonian scien-

tists designed and built several scientific instruments

for space studies from the 1960s to the late 1980s..

Since 2005 the words “space” and “European Space

Agency” began to be heard more often. Further co-

operation with the international space community

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would give a significant impetus to the development

of Estonia’s economy and high –tech industry, and

would open up new prospects for our historically

strong research in space science. Our competence in

the space area is quite broad, ranging from process-

ing of earth-observation imagery and data process-

ing to production of some of the finest spectroscopy

instruments, rare earth metal products and large

ground station antennas.

The next steps for Estonia will be identification

of potential PECS projects in cooperation with ESA.

Estonia wants to be a strong new partner in the in-

ternational space community by sharing its specific

knowledge and technologies with the rest of the

world. Building on our strength in information tech-

nology and communications, Estonia is a newcomer

with quite a lot to offer.

Ene Ergma

Professor of Astrophysics

Speaker of Estonian parliament

Chairman of the Estonian Space Board

4

1810

Tartu

Ob

servatory is o

pen

ed an

d th

e lon

g trad

ition

o

f pro

fession

al astron

om

y is fou

nd

ed in

Esto

nia

182

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ntin

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f the B

ig Frau

nh

ofer R

efractor, th

e largest an

d th

em

ost m

od

ern len

s telescop

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e wo

rld, in

Tartu

Ob

servatory

1813

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9W

orld

-famo

us astro

no

mer Fried

rich G

eorg

W

ilhelm

Stru

ve, wh

o w

orked

in T

artu (D

orp

at), m

easures th

e parallax o

f Veg

a

188

5E

rnst H

artwig

disco

vers a sup

erno

va in th

e An

dro

med

a neb

ula.

192

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rnst Ö

pik d

etermin

es the d

istance to

the A

nd

rom

eda g

alaxy for th

e first time.

196

7-19

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ace foo

d ch

efs of P

oltsam

aa Ag

ricultu

ral Factory lay

the tab

le for S

oviet co

smo

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197

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artu O

bservato

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pin

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d im

plem

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g m

etho

ds fo

r calibra-

tion

of o

ptical sen

sors.

193

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ston

ian o

ptician

and

astron

om

er Bern

hard

Sch

mid

t presen

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is aberratio

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ide an

gle m

irror telesco

pe, th

e Sch

mid

tcam

era (in B

erged

orf O

bservato

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rg). T

he S

chm

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igh

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ality com

es from

its sph

erical mirro

r and

a co

rrection

plate.

197

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aan E

inasto

, An

ts Kaasik an

d E

nn

Saar stu

dy m

ovem

ents o

f satelliteg

alaxies and

dem

on

strate that b

esides b

aryon

ic matter (stars, g

as, d

ust) g

alaxies also co

ntain

extend

ed h

aloes o

f dark m

atter.

197

0-19

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Th

e first So

viet Salyu

t type sp

ace station

is equ

ipp

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ith th

e Esto

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bu

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a no

ctilucen

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bservatio

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evice.

198

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In m

id 19

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s a FAZ

A telesp

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eter (also kn

ow

n as

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asa) is con

structed

in E

ston

ia for th

e So

viet orb

italsp

ace station

Mir.

5

Sin

ce 199

1•

Esto

nian

scientists in

volved

in co

llabo

ration

with

the E

SA

’s

Gaia p

rog

ramm

e•

Vertex E

ston

ia bu

ilds a larg

e anten

na reflecto

r structu

re

for E

SA

.

20

04

Esto

nia jo

ins th

e EU

.

20

05

First talks held

on

coo

peratio

n b

etween

Esto

nia an

d th

e ES

A.

20

06

• T

he E

ston

ian S

pace B

oard

is establish

ed.

• E

ston

ian G

overn

men

t ann

ou

nces in

tentio

n to

con

clud

e a

framew

ork ag

reemen

t with

ES

A.

• E

ston

ia join

s EU

ME

TS

AT

as a Co

op

erating

State.

20

07

• E

ston

ia sign

s a Co

op

eration

Ag

reemen

t with

ES

A.

• E

urisy co

nferen

ce “Efficien

t man

agem

ent o

f coastal reg

ion

s and

cities:

im

plem

entatio

n an

d u

se of sp

ace based

services” is held

in T

allinn

.

20

08

• E

ston

ian N

ation

al Sp

ace Strateg

y and

Develo

pm

ent G

oals fo

r 20

08

–20

15

is drafted

• T

he first E

ston

ian stu

den

t starts wo

rk in th

e ES

A`s In

ternatio

nal T

rainee

Pro

gram

me

• E

ston

ia beco

mes E

UR

ISY

mem

ber

• E

ston

ia is represen

ted w

ith a b

oo

th at IA

C 5

9•

Esto

nian

space co

mp

anies fo

un

d th

e Esto

nian

Sp

ace

Clu

ster, E-S

pace

20

09

• N

ord

icBaltS

at pro

ject, coo

rdin

ated b

y En

terprise E

ston

ia, is laun

ched

• E

ston

ia beco

mes a E

uro

pean

Co

op

erating

State an

d starts p

articipatin

g in

th

e PE

CS

pro

gram

me

• E

ston

ia is represen

ted w

ith a b

oo

th at IA

C 6

0

Th

e Esto

nian

Sp

ace Co

mm

un

ity in

5 years

• S

pace D

ow

nstream

Services 2

010

Co

nferen

ce – to b

e held

6-7

May 2

010

in T

allinn

• T

he E

ST

Cu

be-1 - 1 kg

nan

osatellite an

d E

ston

ia’s first satellite is plan

ned

for

lau

nch

in 2

012

.•

Estab

lished

coo

peratio

n w

ith th

e EU

ind

ustry

(e.g

. sub

con

tracting

on

satellite sub

systems)

• M

arket for sp

ace-derived

pro

du

cts and

services

establish

ed in

Esto

nia

• P

ub

lic users: m

any m

inistries are assessin

g th

e ben

efits

o

f usin

g sp

ace techn

olo

gies

• E

ston

ia beco

mes a fu

ll-mem

ber o

f ES

A fro

m 2

016

6

Why cooperate with Estonia?

Estonian technology and space-related companies are:

Oriented to short delivery times

Good at rapid prototyping

Focused on small and medium quantities in production

Able to perform high quality and directly market-

oriented R&D activities at reasonable costs.

In general, Estonia has:

a high Economic Freedom Index score.

the highest credit ratings in the region

a good geographical location between northern

Europe, Eastern Europe and Russia.

a high percentage of qualified scientists and

highlyeducated employees available.

a strong motivation to do something great on a global

level.

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Upstream companies

Estonian Space Cluster – E-Space

Estonian space-related companies have already

joined their forces to found a non-profit association

of Estonian Space Companies. E-Space was founded

by Regio, Modesat, Cybernetica, Oskando, Laser Di-

agnostic Instruments as a not-for-profit research or-

ganization. The objective of E-Space is to use their

competence to develop new solutions for the space

sector. The competence of E-Space is focused on the

areas of data communication, management and in-

terpretation in the space sector, with an emphasis

in the area of earth observation. E-Space enjoys di-

verse but complementary competence of its found-

ing partners in the following areas: signal process-

ing, FPGA programming, communications; GMES and

Earth Observation; electroactive polymers; telemat-

ics; GIS, positioning, image processing, visualization;

security, information system integration.

Associated members of E-Space are the University of

Tartu (Tartu Observatory), the Tallinn University of

Technology, Smartdust Solutions and Artec Group.

In addition to the Estonian Space Cluster, the emerg-

ing space industry in Estonia could be also charac-

terized according to their classification between up-

stream, downstream space technologies and ground

segment.

Contact: Mr Teet Jagomägi

Member of the Board of the Non-Profit Association

of Estonian Enterprises in Space Technology

Mobile +372 504 8654

E-mail [email protected]

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Upstream companies are Clifton (the high power

GaAs LPE based semiconductor products), Muomee-

tria (the investigation of the use of its Myoton device

with astronauts is under investigation) and Artec

Group (IC design, ASIC and FPGA; Board and systems

level integrated design; low-level firmware and ap-

plication level software development).

Clifton

Clifton specializes in the development and pro-

duction of Liquid Phase Epitaxy (LPE) technology

based Gallium Arsenide

(GaAs) semiconductor

structures and chips for

power electronics. GaAs

entertains high temper-

ature tolerance, radiation hardness and energy ef-

ficiency, it is nearly ideal for making single-junction

solar cells. LPE technology enables to grow thick and

high quality epilayers resulting to make power elec-

tronics components for higher voltages and currents

at lower cost, decrease the size and weight of prod-

ucts and energy losses and increase system durabil-

ity and reliability. The company started marketing

and sales in 2009 with ultra- and hyperfast recovery

rectifier die product lines. A solar cell, power transis-

tor and IGBT are under development. There are 23

employees (including 4 PhDs working for Clifton’s

current and future innovative production.

Contact: Clifton Ltd

Riia 185a, 51014 Tartu, ESTONIA

Tel. +372 730 1540 • Fax +372 730 1545

E-mail [email protected] • www.clifton.ee

8888

Muomeetria

Müomeetria LLC

is developing a

hand-held mus-

cle diagnostics device, Myoton, for healthcare pro-

fessionals to non-invasively diagnose, predict and

prevent muscle injuries. Myoton works by recording

the data from the muscle oscillation with an acceler-

ation probe and calculating tone, elasticity and stiff-

ness of the muscles. Myoton is capable of objectively

measuring each muscle separately, different regions

of the same muscle, as well as tendon and other soft

tissues.

Myoton device is CE

certified and has users

in the fields of research

and science, occupa-

tional health, rehabilita-

tion and sports. Myoton

users can either com-

pare individual results

with averages derived from the database of popula-

tion statistics or follow the muscle trends over time

with a dynamic view. The Myoton package consists

of a hand-held diagnostic device and proprietary

software for muscle data analysis. The myometric

method and device are patented in Europe, USA and

Japan and our research team is continuously re-

searching and introducing additional technological

features and user benefits.

Contact: Müomeetria Ltd

Peterburi Rd 2F, 11415 Tallinn, ESTONIA

Tel. +372 6030 806 • Fax +372 6030 811

E-mail: [email protected] • www.myoton.ee

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Artec Group

Artec Group (AG) is

an electronics prod-

uct development and

engineering company active in multiple high-tech

industry sectors. AG has the facilities and expertise

to take a concept or prototype unit to large-scale

manufacturing. AG comprises several dedicated

divisions, each responsible for a specific area of a

product development process. Product development

teams include dedicated schematic circuitry design-

ers, PCB artwork engineers, software developers,

and industrial designers. AG is capable of deliver-

ing small and medium size production batches for

testing and market validation analysis as part of the

product development process. AG is committed to

staying on the forefront of technological advance-

ments by collaborating with R&D partners from aca-

demia and industry.

AG wishes to extend its current competence in elec-

tronics to the special requirements of the space sec-

tor. The main target is to develop capability to de-

velop, build and manufacture space electronics and

build readiness for European Space Agency projects.

AG seeks to enhance its experience in the design of

electronic systems for space use. In close collabora-

tion with space companies AG is able to develop small

series product lines suitable for space missions.

Contact: Artec Group Ltd

Akadeemia tee 23A, 12618 Tallinn, ESTONIA

Tel: (+372) 671-8550 • Fax: (+372) 671-8555

E-mail [email protected] • www.artecgroup.com

Upstream companies

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Downstream companies

Downstream companies or entities are oriented to-

wards services and applications mainly in Earth ob-

servation, location/navigation (companies and their

competences are listed below):

Regio

Regio (outside Esto-

nia using the brand

name Reach-U) has

four fields of activ-

ity: geographical information systems (GIS), mobile

positioning (LBS), mapping and geospatial data. The

uniqueness of the company lies in the combination

of experts of geography and information systems.

This helps create products that are valued higher

than those of competitors and allows the company

to implement customer projects faster. Regio is

probably the largest European company to offer mo-

bile positioning middleware and location-based ser-

vices to mobile operators worldwide. In total Regio

software is used in 20 countries and is available for

nearly 200 million subscribers to mobile networks

worldwide.

Regio hopes to create new

technologies and components

in the space sector to enhance

existing products and to create

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completely new products.

New methods for storing earth observation data in

native 3D form will be used to develop the differen-

tiating capability of Regio GIS Engine image server.

Methods of additional enhancing of satellite imagery

will improve map image perception on mobile hand-

sets and environmentally challenging conditions

to increase the usage of LBS applications. Verified

methods of area measurement and EO image inter-

pretation will be used to offer completely new auto-

mated image services to Regio customers.

Contact: Regio Ltd

Riia 24, 51010 Tartu, ESTONIA

Tel. +372 7 387 300 • Fax +372 7 387 301

Email [email protected] • www.reach-u.com

10

Downstream companies

Modesat Communications

Modesat Communi-

cations is a leading-

edge modem devel-

oper in the fields of radio and wired communications,

with Research and Development Centers in Estonia,

Russia and Belarus, and Sales and Account Manage-

ment offices in Sunnyvale, California and in Tallinn.

The solutions are aimed at increasing the through-

put and reliability of telecommunication channels

at all data transmission rates, modulation schemes

and channel conditions, including those operating at

negative signal-to-noise (SNR) ratios. Modesat owns

a patent portfolio based on the PilotSync™ linear

synchronization scheme, which enables the recovery

of all signals necessary for synchronization (symbol

and carrier frequency, AGC, equalizer) in parallel,

thus enabling faster signal recovery, higher channel

throughput and higher reliability.

Modesat is willing to work together with satellite

modem developers with an aim to provide its propri-

etary PilotSyncTM synchroniza-

tion technology for improving

signal acquisition in low signal-

to-noise ratios or in high Doppler conditions. Pilot-

SyncTM is compatible with both DVB-S(2) like wave-

form as well as packet based networks such as ATM,

where international cooperation is sought.

Contact: Modesat Communications LLC TEHNOPOL Centre

Akadeemia tee 19, 12618 Tallinn, ESTONIA

Phone + 372 7120 280

E-mail [email protected] • www.modesat.com

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Smartdust Solutions

Smartdust Solu-

tions (SDS) is an

expert in wireless

sensor network

(WSN) system and application development. SDS is

a fast-growing technology company providing wire-

less sensor monitoring and surveillance systems for

the following application areas such as: perimeter

and area monitoring, urban surveillance; critical in-

frastructure (power lines, utility tunnels, pipelines,

tams) monitoring and securing, and road condition

and traffic monitoring for safety. The uniqueness

of the company lies in its combination of experts in

real-time embedded systems, wireless sensors, infor-

mation systems and mechatronics. SDS is one of the

few European companies to provide monitoring and

surveillance systems based on smart dust (wireless

sensor) network technology. SDS is also developing

a proprietary next generation WSN networking pro-

tocol and software platform. SDS WSN competences

and security area expertise allow the creation of new

perimeter surveillance and monitoring systems for

the marine sector. In the space sector, SDS expects

to create new technologies and components to en-

hance existing products and to create completely

new products.

Contact: Smartdust Solutions Ltd

Akadeemia tee 19, 12618 Tallinn, ESTONIA

Tel +372 53 402 633

E-mail: [email protected] • www.smartdust.ee

11

Cybernetica

Cybernetica is a private

research and develop-

ment company, original

equipment manufacturer and solutions provider ac-

tive in the field of Information and Communication

Technologies (ICT). Reflecting the core business, the

quality management system of Cybernetica is certi-

fied to comply to ISO 9001:2008 with the scope “Hard-

ware and software development, manufacturing and

system integration. Information systems consulting

and consultation audit”. Existing original products and

solutions are intended for eGovernment, eMedicine,

eCustoms, ePolice, border security, radio surveillance,

telematics, light signalling, visual aids to marine navi-

gation infrastructure and radio communication system

applications. Services offered range from auditing of

information systems to development, manufacturing,

installation and maintenance of dependable complex

application-specific secure software/hardware sys-

tems.

Cybernetica has conducted research in the field of

information security and cryptology for more than a

decade. A dedicated non-profit division - Information

Security Research Institute - was founded in 2008 to

further develop the existing competencies of time-

stamping and public-key infrastructures, block ciphers,

secure information flow, construction and analysis of

cryptographic protocols, efficient secure multiparty

computation, attack-tree-based security analysis of

systems, etc.

Contact: Cybernetica Ltd

Akadeemia tee 21, 12618 Tallinn, ESTONIA

Tel. +372 639 7991, Fax +372 639 7992

E-mail: [email protected]

Laser DiagnosticInstruments

Laser Diag-

nostic Instru-

ments Ltd

(LDI) is an Estonian private corporation operating

in the area of research, development, manufac-

turing and application of laser-based instrumen-

tation. LDI offers online, in-situ, airborne, contact

and remote analytical sensors to address environ-

mental, industrial and bio-medical issues, togeth-

er with a range of software products that control

measurements and handle data. LDI’s principal

products and services are based on new laser,

electro-optical and photonics technologies aimed

at real-time data assessment. At the cutting edge

of laser and fluorescence-based diagnostics, LDI

is positioned to explore new applications. LDI may

have a simple, fast, value-added solution for your

quality control and hazard analysis programs.

Contact: Laser Diagnostic Instruments Ltd

Kadaka Tee 113A, 12915 Tallinn, ESTONIA

Phone: 372-656-7337 • Fax: 372-656-7305

E-mail: [email protected] • www.ldi.ee

Downstream companies

12

Downstream companies

Oskando

Oskando offers integrat-

ed telematic solutions to

both private and business

clients. Telematics tech-

nology enables, by data transfer via GSM network, to

observe and supervise a variety of moving vehicles

using GPS technology (cars, trucks, mobile machin-

ery, ships etc.) and stationary equipment (gates,

home security systems, electric meters) etc.

Oskando’s mission is to transmute telematics conve-

nient to our clients as well as make important pro-

cesses transparent and more manageable. Telematic

products are of invaluable assistance for managing

vehicle and machine fleets, for gathering data from

various meters and guarding homes and offices. In

the future they will assist you and your company in

everything that requires management or monitoring

from distance.

Oskando was founded in 1995 as an R&D company

and has been developing, producing and selling

GSM and GPS based devices since 1997. In order to

make the use of telematic devices as comfortable

and quick as possible, Oskando has been offering its

clients integrated solutions since 2007.

Oskando processes have been certified in accor-

dance to ISO 9001:2000 standards since 2001. All

Oskando devices have CE certificates.

Contact: Kristi Hakkaja CEO, Oskando Ltd

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +372 6829 500

www.oskando.ee

http://seeme.oskando.ee

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Oskando products:

SeeMe– fleet management

for every business

Install SeeMe Tracker and

start using http://seeme.oskando.ee/. SeeMe pro-

vides a quick overview of the location of a whole

fleet, allows routes to be reviewed and enables mul-

tiple reporting options.

CarKeepers– GSM/GPS-based devices for vehicle

tracking. CarKeeper design and firmware allows for

flexible integration of its multiple input-output op-

tions with every telematics application.

RentKeeper– new family of GSM-based devices for

MPS tracking and monitoring a wide range of mov-

able property. MPS tracking system enables owners

to also locate devices that are inside buildings where

GPS tracking is not an option.

GateKeepers– GSM-based switching devices for re-

mote management of gates, garage doors and other

openings or devices that require random switching

or status reports.

Custom fleet and resource management solutions-

in addition to the listed products, Oskando devel-

ops custom solutions (both hardware and software)

for large clients with special process management

needs – examples of such clients are G4S, Ragn Sells,

Myoton etc.

13

Downstream companies

Borthwick Pignon Solutions (BPS)

Borthwick Pignon Solutions

(BPS) - Approved Texas Instru-

ments third party developer for

Baltic’s. Design & supply of lead-

ing-edge digital signal processing

solutions, specializing in portable

audio/video sensors and related

embedded/application software. Strong in-house

electronics and software development expertise.

Current developments aimed at delivering a range of

very low power mobile devices for the surveillance,

medical and transport sectors.

Products and ServicesEmbedded solutions based around Texas instru-

ments OMAP35xx processor chipsets. Hardware

platform’s designed to enable easy integration of a

variety of USB devices.

Platforms support any OEM USB device (with Linux

driver and supporting software) Features: embed-

ded Linux operating system

running on the ARM Cortex A8 OMAP3503 proces-

sor, additionally optional DSP/Bios running on the

C64x+ Audio/Video codec’s and AV container op-

tions for OMAP3525/30 chipsets offering very pow-

erful dual processor versions with optimal power

management solutions complimenting capabilities

of the OMAP3503 ARM Cortex processing chipset.

Contact: Leon Borthwick CEO

Borthwick Pignon Solutions

Liivaoja 1-33, 10155, Tallinn, Estonia

Email: [email protected]

Mobile: +372 5149532

14

Komtronik

Komtronik was established in

Estonia in 1999. The company

produces and sells equipment

for observatories:

fiberglass clamshell observatory

domes, telescopes and other ob-

servatory equipment.

Contact: CEO Mr Max Anderson

Email: [email protected]

Mobile: +372 523 2815

www.astroshell.com

Ground segment

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In the ground segment Estonia has several compa-

nies with software or hardware products or technol-

ogies of interest to either the ground or space seg-

ment of almost any type of space mission. The best

example is Vertex Estonia

Vertex Estonia

The primary activities of Vertex Estonia are related

to antennas and radio

telescopes for tele-

communication and

science in cooperation

with GD SATCOM Technologies, and Vertex Anten-

nentechnik GmbH. Up to present over 150 Satellite

Communication Antennas for Ground Stations have

been manufactured by Vertex Estonia and are work-

ing in 28 countries over the world. Vertex Estonia

took part in the production of the 35M Deep Space

Radio Telescope, installed in Australia for the Euro-

pean Space Agency. Vertex Estonia manufactured

Reflector Backup Structure, Quadripod, Waveguide

Shrouds, locking devices and other items with a total

weight of 100 tons. Vertex Estonia is a trailblazer in

building new types of antennas and a leader in one

chosen market segment with its proprietary designs,

which is the foundation of its aims for higher profit-

ability

Contact: Vertex Estonia Ltd

Forelli 10, 10621 Tallinn, ESTONIA

Phone: +372 6390471 • Mobile: +372 5202602 • Fax: +372 6390490

Email: [email protected] • www.vertexestonia.ee

VertexEstonia

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15

Estonian space science

University of Tartu

The University of Tartu (UT) is the oldest Estonian

university and historically famous for its inventions

and discoveries in astronomy science. The research

of Friedrich Struve, Johann Mädler and other dis-

tinguished astronomers radically influenced the de-

velopment of astronomy in the 19th century. UT is a

university with a wide spectrum of scientific compe-

tence. The Faculty of Science and Technology at UT

consists of the following institutes: Institute of Phys-

ics, Institute of Chemistry, Institute of Technology,

Estonian Marine Institute, Institute of Molecular and

Cell Biology, and the Institute of Ecology and Earth

Sciences. In the space sector, UT is involved in re-

search activities in the satellite communications area,

and a “student satellite project” (www.space.ut.ee)

has been initiated. UT has research groups working

on robotics, at-

mospherics

and air moni-

toring, city

planning based

on informa-

tion from GPS,

soft polymeric

t r a n s d u c e r s

(www.ims.ut.ee)

and optical (IR)

measurements.

The areas of

interest in de-

veloping space

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technology are the application of existing compe-

tences for the benefit of the space sector, new re-

search areas in the field of space technology includ-

ing scientific payload design, and development of

new services based on space applications (including

positioning and remote sensing).

Contact:

University of Tartu

Ülikooli 18, 50090 Tartu, Estonia

Fax: +(372) 737 5440

E-mail: [email protected] • [email protected] • www.ut.ee

Tartu Observatory

Tartu Observatory (TOBS) (see also its longer de-

scription), successor to the historical observatory

established in 1811, was found-

ed in the present form in 1947

by joining the astronomical

and the meteorological ob-

servatory. Such a symbiosis

of astronomers and atmospheric scientists proved

to be a successful partner in the Soviet Union space

programmes from the late 1960s to the early 1990s.

Several models for space borne radiometers were

designed and developed in TO at this time. TO en-

joys a long tradition of studying galaxies and theo-

retically modelling the structure of the universe and

its formation. It is Estonia’s main research centre

for astronomy and atmospheric physics, with fun-

damental research focusing on physics of galaxies,

stellar physics and remote sensing of the Earth’s

atmosphere and ground surface. The main research

16

Estonian space science

16

areas of TOBS include cosmology(large scale struc-

ture of the universe, clusters and superclusters of

galaxies, physics of single and multiple galaxies);

stellar physics (structure, chemical composition,

physical parameters and evolution of single and bi-

nary stars) and atmospheric physics (optical remote

sensing of land and water bodies, radiative transfer

in plant canopies, atmospheric ozone and UV radia-

tion, optical radiometry).

Contact: Tartu Observatory

61602, Tõravere, Estonia

Tel +372 7410 265 • Fax +372 7410 205

E-mail [email protected] • www.aai.ee

Tallinn University of Technology

Marine Systems Institute (MSI) conducts basic and

applied research and technology development stud-

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of

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n,

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r

a-

d

d-

ies in the main research fields: physical oceanog-

raphy; turbulence and wave studies; marine optics

and remote sensing; marine ecology; ice studies; op-

erational oceanography; monitoring and modelling

methods; marine geology and sediment dynamics;

and marine meteorology. MSI has performed RTD

in processing satellite remote sensing images (SAR

and MODIS); in numerical modelling for prediction

of physical sea state parameters, oil spill and sus-

pended particulate matter; in conducting operation-

al measurements of sea level, water temperature

and salinity, sea ice drift with real time data delivery.

MSI has contracts with business sector, government

agencies and ministries on implementing numerical

model for sea state prediction, further development

and monitoring of the water quality parameters dur-

ing harbour development, offshore sand mining, es-

tablishment of offshore wind farms and the other

installations and prediction of coastal flooding. MSI

employs 43 persons: among them 20 with PhD, 13

PhD students and 10 others.

Contact: Tallinn University of Technology`s

Marine Systems Institute

Akadeemia 21, 12618 Tallinn, Estonia

Tel +372 6204300 • Mobile +372 5208225

E-mail [email protected] • www.msi.ttu.ee

17

Space-related courses are regularly held on remote

sensing, astronomy and the other space sciences at

the leading Estonian universities. Space technology

has been integrated into the physics curricula at the

University of Tartu since 2007. There are currently

over dozen courses lectured on space-related tech-

nologies and their applications.

Contact: Mart Noorma

Head, Center for Teaching and Learning at University of Tartu

Docent, Vice Dean for Studies, Faculty of Science and Technology

at University of Tartu

Mobile +372 5822 9748

Estonian Student Satellite – ESTCube

The Estonian Student Satellite

project started in the summer of

2008 at Tartu University with the

objectives for promoting space,

being an invaluable educational

tool for science, technology, en-

gineering, mathematics (STEM) subjects and giving

students hands-on experience on developing space

technologies. In addition, our further goal is to fos-

ter the development of Estonian space and high-

tech industry by training experts and disseminating

knowledge about space technologies. In addition the

satellite project is expected to have a significant role

in educating and inspiring the general public and im-

prove their awareness of space research.

Space education in Estonia

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y

A satellite ground control station has been estab-

lished as the first step. The first satellite of the pro-

gram, ESTCube-1, will take a innovative electric solar

sail experiment to the Low Earth Orbit in early 2012.

ESTCube-1 is an international student-led collabora-

tion project with contributors from Finland and Ger-

many. The satellite is currently in the design phase,

manufacturing and testing will start in 2010. Some

of the University of Tartu graduates have already

continued their studies in space engineering at lead-

ing European universities or at the European Space

Agency.

Contact: Silver Lätt

http://www.estcube.eu

18

Space education in Estonia

GENSO project

Several students from University

of Tartu are participating in the

GENSO (Global Educational Net-

work for Satellite Operations),

which is led by the European Space Agency. The

aim of this project is to form a worldwide network of

ground stations and spacecraft, which can interact

via a software standard.

Contact: www.genso.org

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Space Club for primary Schools

One of the major goals of the Estonian Student Satel-

lite Program is to motivate children and youngsters

to take interest in STEM (science, technology, engi-

neering, mathematics) subjects and careers and con-

tributes to science and enterprise outcomes. That’s

why Estonian Student Satellite team members have

organized a Space Club for primary school kids as a

pilot project in Tartu. The leading instructor of the

Club, is currently writing her master’s thesis in phys-

ics education based on links of space in Estonian

school curriculum. The club members are currently

between the ages of 6 and 13. The kids selected “Es-

tronauts” for the Club’s name.

Contact in relation to ESTCube, GENSO project and

Space Club for Primary Schools: Silver Lätt

Estonian Student Satellite programme manager

at University of Tartu

Mobile +372 522 8237

19

Estonian space potential after ESA audits

20

ESTONIAN SPACE G

Estonian Space Boardall of the partners are represented

Estonian Space Office

Ministry of Education & Research

NordicBaltSat project

2009-2011

TARTU OBSERVATORY

Estonian Cosmological Research Centre

ESTONIAN STUDENT

SATELLITE - ESTCube

Estonia’s first sat-ellite is planned to

launch in 2012

21

VertexEstonia

Ministries and Govenmental Agenciesfocus on downstream applications

Ministry of Economic Affairs & Communications

Estonian Space Companies(ca 20-30)

etc.

Enterprise Estonia is a member of EURISY since 2008

European Space Policy

REGIO

MODESAT

GOVERNANCE

22

Contacts

Company Name Field of Action Website

Artec Group Schematic electronic design services www.artecgroup.com

AA-Sat Professional High-tech telecommunication solutions based on satellite technology

www.aasat.ee

Borthwick-Pignon Solutions

Mobile wireless-enabled data recording solutions www.borthwick-pignon.ee

Carbon Nanotech Research and development of nanostructured carbon materials

www.skeletonnanolab.com

Clifton Power Electronic Semiconductors www.clifton.ee

Cybernetica Information security, information systems and www.cyber.ee

navigation systems development

Eli Military Solutions Development of simulators and training systems for police and defence forces

www.eli.ee

Eliko Competence Centre

Embedded networks, self-organizing ad hoc RFID readers networks

www.eliko.ee

Eurosat Group GPS tracking services www.eurosat.ee

Interspectrum Designing and manufacturing optical and FTIR spectroscopy instruments

www.interspectrum.ee

Komtronik Observatory domes and equipment www.astroshell.com

Laser Diagnostic Instruments

Laser-based and fluorescence analysis technol-ogy and applications

www.ldi.ee

Metrotec Development of GSM/GPS-based monitoring and remote control equipment

www.metrotec.ee

23

Contacts

Company Name Field of Action Website

Modesat Developer of modem technologies for satellite www.modesat.com

broadband communications

Molcode Computational modeling and molecular design of new chemical compounds, drugs and materi-als

www.molcode.com

Müomeetria Medical diagnostic devices www.myoton.com

Nutiteq Development of mobile mapping applications for mobile location-based services

www.nutiteq.ee

Oskando Telematic solutions provider www.oskando.ee

Positium Mobile positioning www.positium.ee

Rantelon Design, production and wholesale of radio frequency electronic devices

www.rantelon.ee

Regio Mapping, geospatial data, geographical informa-tion systems (GIS) and mobile positioning

www.regio.ee

Silmet Rare metal and rare earth metal production www.silmet.ee

Smartdust Solutions Autonomous wireless sensor solutions www.smartdust.ee

Tracking Center GPS-based tracking systems and services www.navirec.com

T+1 Solutions LBS - location based services for mobile and web www.asp.ee

Vertex Estonia Production of antennas for ground station for satellite communication

www.vertexestonia.eu

24

Basic facts Official name: Republic of Estonia

Area: 45,227 km2

Population: 1.36 million inhabitants

Official language: Estonian

System of government: parliamentary democracy.

Estonia is a member of the European Union

and NATO

Estonia is on Eastern European time

(GMT +02:00)

Currency - Estonian Krone (EEK),

fixed rate 1 EUR =15.6466 EEK

Estonia is at the heart of Europe’s fastest growing

market - the Baltic Sea Region, which has a

population of over 90 million

Estonia is a country with an exceptional business

environment that has allowed highly successful

companies like Skype (www.skype.com), Playtech

(www.playtech.com), Swedbank (www.swedbank.com),

Tallink Group (www.tallink.com), ABB (www.abb.com),

Elcoteq (www.elcoteq.com) and others to flourish

(http://investinestonia.com/index.php/why-estonia)

Supported by Ideas & Realization