Defense Ministry reveals satellite ambitions

Latvia has been building plans for three years to launch the Baltic states' first satellite, the Ministry of Defense has revealed.

The region's first space satellite could cost at least $10 million and be launched within four years, said Defense Minister Girts Valdis Kristovskis.

He said his ministry was now looking for foreign experts of Latvian descent to work on the project. Other options are also being looked into, for example cooperation with other countries on their systems.

"If the state gives it good thought and evaluates the benefits, using a satellite developed by another country for our needs, the project could be implemented in three or four years at best," said Kristovskis.

The minister believes the satellite is required for national defense purposes. The orbiting equipment could be used mainly for coordinating the nation's armed forces.

In early May, the Ventspils International Astronomy Center, Latvia's Academy of Science and the Ministry of Defense invited experts from British Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd., one of the biggest centers for satellite technology in Europe.

The company specializes in designing and building small satellites under the slogan "Low cost access to space."

Audrey Nice, a spokeswoman for Surrey, confirmed that people from the company went to Latvia in May to discuss the possibilities of launching Latvia's first satellite.

"The Latvian side was very interested. They were especially interested in sending scientists over here for training," she said.

During the meeting between Surrey experts and Latvian Defense Ministry officials, the British company offered a three-phase proposal.

The first phase would include launching LatSat-1 into a low orbit. This microsatellite would be built by Surrey.

Phase two would get Latvia to start producing microsatellites for the world market and the launching of the more advanced LatSat-2. In the third and final phase, Latvia would launch LatSat-3 by itself, and the country would join global atmosphere monitoring programs and forecasting natural disasters.

Kristovskis said there were more companies that would like to cooperate with Latvia on launching a satellite, and all offers will be considered before a final decision is made.