The Finnish Space Committee brings national actors together
Space matters are by their nature horizontal and cross administrative boundaries. The perspectives of the various administrative branches are brought together by the Finnish Space Committee, which operates under the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment. Provisions on the duties and composition of the Committee are set out in the Government Decree on the Finnish Space Committee (739/2019).
The Committee plays a key role in Finland’s space administration. The Committee steers the practical implementation of the national space strategy, and works to create a better operating environment for the space sector, better conditions for business and research, and closer cooperation between administrative branches. The Committee promotes international cooperation and Finland’s contribution in the space sector by participating in ESA programme selection and in the preparation of national opinions on space-related matters in the EU. Furthermore, it follows the sector’s national and international regulation, practices and developments, prepares proposals and issues statements on the direction of the sector’s regulation, administrative practices, financing and international cooperation, and promotes visibility and communication in the space sector.
Composition of the Finnish Space Committee 6 September 2022 - 5 September 2025:
Chair: Ilona Lundström, Director-General, Ministry of Employment and the Economy
Vice-Chair: Kaisa Laitinen, Director of Unit, Ministry of Transport and Communications
Members:
Paavo-Petri Ahonen, Senior Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Education and Culture
Matti Anttila, Business Development Director, Huld Ltd/Association of Finnish Defence and Aero-space Industries AFDA
Minna Bloigu, Chief Specialist, Ministry of the Interior
Kimmo Kanto, Head of Space, Business Finland
Jussi Kaurola, Director General, Finnish Meteorological Institute
Kai Knape, Security Director, Ministry of Defence
Susan Linko, Director,Academy of Finland
Juha-Matti Liukkonen, Director, Reaktor Group/Association of Finnish Defence and Aerospace Industries AFDA
Pentti Lähteenoja, Director-General, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Minna Palmroth, Professor, University of Helsinki/Finnish National Committee on Space Research COSPAR
Johanna Salovaara-Dean, Head of Export Control Unit, Ministry for Foreign Affairs
Tanja Suni, Research Director, Ministry of the Environment
The Committee has a secretariat appointed by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment.
In addition, there are seven working groups for intersectoral preparation.
The secretariat serves as the Committee’s secretary, coordinates Finland’s representation in international bodies (including ESA and EU), is responsible for national legislation and participation in the development of international regulation, and is in charge of communications regarding the Finnish space industry and policy.
Full-time secretariat:
Secretary General: Tuija Ypyä, Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment
Jonna Lehtinen, Development Director, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment
Heidi Pennanen, Specialist, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment
Part-time members of the secretariat:
Minna Bloigu, Chief Specialist, Ministry of the Interior
Vesa Häyrinen, Senior Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Transport and Communications
Kimmo Kanto, Head of Space, Business Finland
Sofia Lindbäck, Senior Specialist, Ministry of Transport and Communications
Jouni Pulliainen, Director, Finnish Meteorological Institute
Pekka Pussinen, Senior Specialist, Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom
Tero Vihavainen, Senior Specialist, Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom
Krista Widerholm, Senior Officer, Ministry of Transport and Communications
Goals: Influencing satellite navigation matters in line with Finland’s strengths and needs
- Preparation of committee work for the EU’s Galileo and EGNOS programmes
- Preparation of committee work for the EUSPA governance when related to Galileo or EGNOS
- Preparation of committee work for the ESA PB-NAV programme matters
- Preparation for Horizon Europe in GNSS related matters
- Other GNSS related questions
Navigation: Chair Vesa Häyrinen, Ministry of Transport and Communications
Vice-Chair Tero Vihavainen, Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom
Goals: Influencing remote sensing matters in line with Finland’s strengths and needs
- Preparation of committee work for the EU Copernicus programme
- Preparation of committee work for the EUSPA governance when related to Copernicus
- Preparation of committee work for the ESA’s PB EO programme
- Preparation for Horizon Europe in remote sensing related matters
- Other remote sensing related matters
- Other international cooperation, including EUMETSAT, GEO
- Copernicus User Forum
Remote Sensing: Chair Vesa Häyrinen, Ministry of Transport and Communications
Vice-Chair Jouni Pulliainen, Finnish Meteorological Institute
Goals: Influencing space activities related security matters in line with Finland’s national security interests. Advising other sub-committees in security matters. Cross-cutting theme
- Space matters involving issues that are important to national security
- Security Board matters of the ESA Security Committee and the EU space programme
- Public Regulated Service (PRS) related matters
- Security approval related matters
- Developing national capacity building
- EU:n GovSatCom programme related matters
- EU Satellite Centre (SatCen)
- UN committees
- Other security matters relating to space activities, when necessary
- COSPAR-SARSAT
Space defence and security: Vice-Chair Jonna Lehtinen, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment
Goals: Influencing Space Situational Awareness (SSA) matters in line with Finland’s strengths and needs; Finland’s participation in the SSA programme of the EU’s space programme.
Tasks of Space Traffic Management
- Preparation of the national Space Situation Centre
- Implementing and reviewing the national SSA Strategy
- Preparation of committee work for the EU’s SSA programme
- Preparation of committee work for the Space Surveillance & Tracking (SST) Consortium
- Preparation of committee work for the EUSPA governance when related to SSA
- Preparation of committee work for ESA Space Safety programme
- Preparation for Horizon Europe in SSA related matters
- Other SSA related questions
- Implementation of COPUOS Long Term Sustainability Guidelines
Space Traffic Management: Chair Heidi Pennanen, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment
Vice-Chair Kirsti Kauristie, Finnish Meteorological Institute
Goals: Influencing science and research programmes in line with Finland’s strengths and needs
Tasks of Science and Research
- Preparation for the ESA Science Committee and other programmes, when necessary
- Preparation for Horizon Europe
- Participation in national evaluation of the ESA Prodex programme
- Other science and research related matters (including ESO)
- Training matters
Science and Research: Chair Heidi Pennanen, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment
Vice-Chair Tuija Ypyä, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment
Finnish National Committee of COSPAR
Goals: Companies need to anticipate developments in the operating environment; administration’s responsibilities in promoting the sector’s development; facilitating active interaction and transparency; development of the space ecosystem; promoting cooperation and partnerships
- Current administrative measures (policies/strategy)i)
- Ministries and Agencies
- EU, ESA, EUMETSAT, other organisations
- Copernicus and Galileo User fora
- Current matters in Business Finland's New Space Economy Programme
- Current matters in the ESA BASS ambassador and ESA-BIC Finland activities
- ajankohtaiset haut ja ohjelmat, ml. yhteiset messuosallistumiset
- Current applications and programmes, including joint trade fair participation
- Companies’ current projects, matters, news
Business: Chair Kimmo Kanto, Business Finland
Vice-Chair Tuija Ypyä, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment
Goals: Influencing and communicating satellite communications in accordance with Fin-land's needs and objectives
Communications: Chair Sofia Lindbäck, Ministry of Transport and Communications
Vice-Chair Pekka Pussinen, Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom