Artur Jutman participates in Estonian trade mission to ESA (ESTEC) in Noordwijk

Testonica's managing director Dr. Artur Jutman participated this week in the trade mission of the Minister of Foreign Trade and Information Technology Kaimar Karu to the Netherlands. The purpose of the visit of the Estonian Delegation was to strengthen bilateral relations between Estonia and European Space Agency (ESA), to introduce the Estonian Space Policy Program and Action Plan for 2020-2027.

Being part of the delegation Dr. Jutman visited ESA's European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) in Noordwijk. The official part of the visit included a working meeting with ESA's Director-General Jan Wörner, tour of the ESA's Test Center, and visit to the Erasmus Center. During the bilateral meetings with ESTEC professionals, Dr. Jutman discussed follow up activities around the System Health Awareness technology recently demonstrated by Testonica to ESA.

According to the Minister, effective international cooperation for Estonia as a small country is one of the most important prerequisites for developing the space sector and achieving important goals for Estonia. “ESA membership offers Estonian research institutions and companies a unique opportunity to participate in high-tech development and in the future to be not only a user of technology and services, but also a developer and exporter of them. Many Estonian companies are already valued players in the space technology sector, which will also help strengthen Estonia's international position. Close co-operation with ESA is very important for Estonia, so that we can promote the field even more effectively in the interests of both,” said Mr. Karu. During the meeting, the Minister also introduced the Estonian Space Policy Program and Action Plan for 2020-2027. “Estonia's space vision continues to be a strong partner in European space programs, helping to secure Europe's leadership in autonomous, safe and secure space system development and operation in outer space and decision-making on Earth,” Mr. Karu explained.

Besides Testonica Lab the business delegation accompanying the Minister included representatives of other eight Estonian companies: Skeleton Technologies, Power Up Technologies, Guardtime, Golbriak Space, Milrem Robotics, Tartu Science Park, Estonian Business Incubator of the European Space Agency and Invent Baltics. The visit of the business delegation is coordinated by Enterprise Estonia's Foreign Investment Center.

Estonia signed the Accession Treaty with ESA in February 2015, and after ratification, Estonia became a full member of the European Space Agency. On becoming a full member on January 1, 2016, Estonia began a transition period aimed at preparing Estonian industry and science for entry into the space industry. ESA is an international organization engaged in the development of space science, the space industry and the European Union 's major space programs Copernicus and Galileo. Founded in 1975, the ESA embraces 22 European countries, an associated member Slovenia and a Canadian partner.

Read more about the visit at the Ministry Office web site (Estonian).