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 six working groups for intersectoral preparation.