Slovenian membership in the European Space Agency (ESA) represents a key milestone in the nation's voyage to space.
On January 1st Slovenia became a full member nation in the European Space Agency. Several Slovenian researchers and businesses, however, have been involved in space exploration for decades.
The ESA's operation centre and centre for technology and research are using control systems developed by Slovenian software company Cosylab. Balmar, a metal components producer for the aerospace industry, cooperates with the ESA in the development of elements for space vehicles and propulsion systems. Dewesoft is considered a global tech leader in complex measurement solutions and has been cooperating with NASA since 2003. Its systems are used by all major players in space exploration, including the ESA. Duol's innovative air domes are made to sustain extreme conditions – the company is exploring potential uses for its technology in space exploration. Skylabs is a satellite avionics developer producing robust processors functioning in space conditions.
The first tangible result of the country’s membership is the formation of the ESA’s Gravitational Physiology Lab in Slovenia. The location is not a coincidence: several Slovenian scientists from various fields specialize in the intersection of space physiology and medicine. University of Ljubljana researchers are developing equipment which would allow astronauts to better cope with zero gravity conditions. Slovenian program SpaceDent works on dental medicine solutions for space missions. The leading national scientific institute Josef Stefan is a part of a consortium with German and French universities offering masters degrees in space medicine.
And in the future? The ESA membership could boost programs like Duol’s plans to use its advanced air dome in space exploration – or Skylabs AI controlled arachnid robot able to explore terrains where no wheeled vehicle has gone before. It seems like the sky's the limit.
