Work on establishing the Finnish Space Situational Awareness Centre progresses

Work on establishing the Finnish Space Situational Awareness Centre progresses

Satellite over clouds. (Image: Shutterstock)

The Government proposes that on 22 November 2024 the President of the Republic approve the acts for establishing the Finnish Space Situational Awareness Centre.

In the third supplementary budget proposal for 2024, the Government proposed funding for the Centre for 2024 and 2025. The Government submitted the proposal to Parliament on 10 October 2024. Funding was awarded for the administrative branches of the Ministry of Transport and Communications, the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. The Ministry of Transport and Communications share of the funding amounts to EUR 411 000.

The Centre would provide a recognised space picture in cooperation with Finland's international partner countries and in close cooperation with organisations responsible for space surveillance. It would provide and disseminate situational awareness information to the Defence Forces, other authorities, and to companies critical to security of supply, as well as to universities and research institutes.

Centre would operate on a decentralised basis

The operational functions of the Centre would be connected to the existing organisations. The civilian leadership would operate in connection with the Finnish Meteorological Institute and the military leadership in connection with the Defence Forces. The National Land Survey of Finland would support the operations of these both by providing them with national space situational data from the near space observation systems it manages.

The establishment of the Space Situational Awareness Centre requires amendments to the Act on the Finnish Meteorological Institute and the Act on the Defence Forces. The Government is now proposing these legislative amendments for approval by the President of the Republic. Following the legislative amendments, the setting up the Centre is expected to begin on 1 December 2024.

Inquiries:

Taruanne Lindevall, Senior Specialist, taruanne.lindevall(at)gov.fi, tel. +358 29 534 2256

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