The annual key event of the space sector, the International Astronautical Congress, was held in Cape Town, South Africa. Estonia was represented at the conference by a two-member delegation from Enterprise Estonia. Enterprise Estonia has been a full member of the IAF, which organises the congress, since 2009.
The most important topics covered at the congress included the accelerating growth of private enterprises in the space sector and international cooperation, which are led by ever more intensive international technology transfers, the introduction of next-generation satellite services and the cuts in many large national space programmes.
"The new situation which has emerged creates new opportunities in the procurement procedures of both the private and public sector, as well as in the introduction of new business models. Although the entry barriers and standards of the space industry remain very high and the operating mechanisms of the market are ever more complex, the sector is still very attractive with its large operating profit margins," said Mart Vihmand, member of the Estonian delegation and Development Consultant of the Innovation Division.
More than 2000 delegates took part in the congress and made more than 1000 presentations during six parallel sessions. Madis Võõras, the head of the Estonian delegation and Advisor of the Innovation Division of Enterprise Estonia, made a presentation at the Business Innovation Symposium. "The presentation received very positive feedback for its reflection on the well-functioning structure of the space sector of Estonia and the Baltic States as a whole, and brought along many useful contacts for the future," said Võõras.
Vihmand had the opportunity to speak on issues regarding new international projects. "For example, in the future, Estonian students and young research fellows will be able to participate more actively in the working groups organised by the IAF, publish their research articles in the international publications of the IAF, have access to the research articles published so far and enjoy other privileges arising from full membership in the IAF," listed Vihmand.
The majority of the space sector organisations of the world were present at the congress: national agencies, producers and developers of satellites and launchers, their subsystems and components, as well as representatives of research, science and educational institutions of the space sector.
The IAC, which took place in Africa for the first time, is organised by the International Astronautical Federation (www.iafastro.org). Additional information: http://www.iac2011.com/. Source: EAS
