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International cooperation

Finnish space activities are based on national space strategy and conducted through European Space Agency's (ESA) programmes, national programmes and bilateral international agreements. Finland became an Associate Member State of ESA in 1987 and a full Member in 1995.

Finland has formal cooperation agreements also with COSPAR, EISCAT, EUMETSAT, EUTELSAT, INTELSAT, INMARSAT, EARSel, COSPAS/SARSAT and ESO.

Space is an independent theme in the European Commission’s 7th Framework Programme. Finland participates in Global Monitoring of Environment and Security (GMES) and Galileo both through EU and ESA and supports activities to set up a sustainable Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS).

In addition, Finland participates actively in bilateral projects with several countries in the area of space science and earth observation. Bilateral activities are ongoing e.g. with Sweden, the Netherlands, Germany, Russia, Canada and the United States.

Tekes coordinates Finnish space activities

Tekes - the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation is responsible for coordinating and financing the Finnish participation in ESA. Tekes has the primary responsibility for funding of scientific instruments that are developed in national projects for ESA programmes and for bilateral projects. 
 

Avaruus.info – the Finnish Space Portal presents Finnish space policy and gives an overview of space activies in Finland.