Today, on the 31^st of August, the presentation of Latvia’s first satellite Venta–1 took place in Irbene. During the presentation audience could closely examine the satellite Venta-1, get broader concept of its construction process as well as to obtain the latest information about satellite’s development.

For the first time the satellite was demonstrated to general public. Demonstration of its technical data and functionality was performed by the lead manager of the development of satellite Venta-1, professor of University of Bremen Indulis Kalniņš. Whereas, Manager of Advisory Council of Ventspils High Technology Park – Dana Reizniece-Ozola gave a presentation on the development of space sector in Latvia and importance of the satellite’s development. Juris Žagars, the leading researcher of Ventspils International Radio astronomy Centre (VIRAC), provided a historical retrospect of satellite development from 2006 till 2011.

The event was opened by rector of the Ventspils University College J. Eglītis; chairman of Ventspils City Council A. Lembergs, as well as the president of the Latvian Academy of Sciences J. Eikmanis and the state secretary of Ministry of Education and Science of Latvia M.Gruškevičs.

VIRAC’s leading researcher Jānis Trokša demonstrated detection of ship signals using satellites’ automatic identification system to be installed in Venta-1. At the end of the event there was an opportunity to visit the radio telescope RT-32 and get more information about VIRAC’s planned projects, introduced by Valdis Avotiņš, the director of the radio astronomy centre.

The aim of the satellite Venta-1 will be reception of radio signals transmitted by ships that allow determine its identity, location, course, and speed. Signals of the automatic identification system (AIS) are automatically sent from every ship, and so far they are used only for navigation of neighbouring ships on close distances; for example, for prevention of collision in low visibility.

The second objective of the satellite is to test new space technologies in the orbit. In the cooperation with Swedish space technology firm AAC Microtec and its partners from USA „plug and play” (PnP) technology module will be installed on Venta-1. The module’s composition consists of new-kind electric energy stabilization system, electric field measurement sensor and miniaturized data transmit system using American NASA system TDRS.

Photos of the presentation of Venta-1 are here!

More information:

Ieva Stumpe
VATP Project manager
Tel./ Fax: +371 63630435
Mob.: +371 26538834
E-mail: ieva [dot] stumpe [at] vatp [dot] lv