Celebrating its 35th anniversary of regaining its independence, Lithuania has made significant strides in the European space industry over the years, starting with the successful launch of two small satellites in 2014. This momentum solidified in May 2021 when Lithuania became an associate member of the European Space Agency (ESA) and adopted the Space Sector Development Concept in 2022.
Establishing Space Hub LT in 2022 marks a significant moment for the country’s space sector. Managed by Innovation Agency Lithuania, this new sector facilitator is dedicated to advancing Lithuania’s space ambitions and supporting industry, academia, and public institutions. Space Hub LT also hosts an annual event, Vilniaus Space Days, to showcase the Lithuanian space ecosystem and its potential. This year, the event will take place on 6 May.
“Lithuania aims to advance in the European space industry with its innovative space solutions, demonstrating immediate sector development and a desire for international partnerships. We are excited to demonstrate the country’s readiness to embrace new opportunities in space and contribute to the commercial future of space exploration and innovation in the region and beyond. Let’s talk at booth E34,” invites Eglė Elena Šataitė, Head of Space Hub LT at the Innovation Agency Lithuania.
The Lithuanian stand will likely be the only one where visitors can see different solutions, from satellite navigation and laser communication to metal recycling, refining, and recovery, supporting a circular economy for high-tech industries.
The key is in the talent pool and the ability to innovate with less funding
Tomas Malinauskas, Commercial manager at Blackswan Space, a company building tools to make satellites autonomous, emphasises Lithuania's uniqueness in producing complex technological products. Despite its smaller size and significantly lower funding compared to large countries like the UK, Germany, and Poland, Lithuania's space industry is unique in producing complex technological products.
“This comes from our willingness to take bold risks, even when the chances of successfully implementing complex projects are low. Remarkably, we find skilled individuals to develop these technologies within Lithuania, including returning expatriates and those working remotely from abroad. We are fortunate that our laser ecosystem has expanded significantly, providing a wealth of qualified professionals whose expertise directly applies to the space industry,” says Malinauskas.
According to Malinauskas, developing complex technologies requires patience and takes a long time, thus government support plays a crucial role in the industry's success. Organisations like Space HUB LT and dedicated personnel at the Ministry of Economy and Innovation of Lithuania are highly supportive and work diligently to foster the entire ecosystem.
Visit booth E34 at the special Lithuanian showcase event on 11 March 2025 at 11:00 a.m. to learn about Lithuania's next chapter in developing competitive space technologies.
Companies attending:
Astrolight develops highly secure telecommunication systems for aerospace, defence, and governmental applications. The company’s founding team has 20+ years of combined experience in radio telecommunications, photonics, and satellite technology. Leveraging this know-how and multidisciplinary expertise, Astrolight provides cutting-edge microwave and free-space optical communications solutions.
Blackswan Space is a company that builds tools to make satellites autonomous. Its Mission Design Simulator (MDS) is a software platform that simulates realistic spacecraft manoeuvres for in-orbit servicing, object retrieval missions, space domain awareness or adversary spacecraft risks. Its Vision-Based Navigation (VBN) system allows satellites to recognise and navigate towards or away from other objects in space using AI, similar to how self-driving cars operate. Blackswan currently works with institutional customers, including the European Space Agency, European satellite manufacturers, and specialised space technology firms in the US.
Delta Biosciences is a chemistry company innovating at the intersection of medicine and space—their astrochemistry vertical focuses on space radiation countermeasures to protect astronauts and extend the shelf-life of critical payload. The company is working with the European Space Agency to prepare to validate the chemistry aboard the International Space Station. Delta Biosciences solutions support emergency crews, civil aviation personnel, cancer patients, and hard-to-resupply locations. The company is also an alumnus of NASA’s Space-H accelerator.
Kongsberg NanoAvionics. The company provides efficient, cost-effective satellite products and services, enabling organisations to launch their space missions swiftly. Since 2014, NanoAvionics has launched over 45 satellites, with 40+ in production. Trusted by clients in over 35 countries, the company's expertise and technology maximise the return on satellite investments.
Novitera specialises in metal recycling, refining, and raw material recovery, supporting a circular economy for high-tech industries. With over 20 years of experience, it processes industrial waste, electronic components, and metal scrap to provide sustainable material solutions. Using ICP-OES and XRF technology, the company’s in-house laboratory ensures precise material analysis for efficient recycling. Refining and supplying high-purity metals and rare elements help industries, including aerospace, reduce reliance on virgin resources and improve sustainability in manufacturing.
Tigbis develops electric propulsion systems and their subsystems for use on satellites. The products' main task is maintaining satellite orbit parameters and launching the satellite to the required orbit. The company can create one specific system for a satellite or create a satellite according to the need, carrying out a complete cycle of tests. All Tigbis employees have advanced engineering degrees, and many have PhDs. They have also attended or spoken at world space conferences.
