The space industry is booming – NASA experts visit Tampere University to learn about its space-related research
NASA astronaut Timothy Kopra and Scott Rodriguez, Vice President of Government Programs for Voyager Space and NASA HUNCH Program Manager, visited Tampere University together with Stefan Lindström, Consul General of Finland in Houston. They were introduced to the region’s evolving space economy.
Kopra and Rodriguez are also scheduled to meet with the Finnish Space Committee and visit the city of Pori, among other engagements.
“This visit by the NASA experts serves not only as an important recognition for Tampere University but also as a concrete step towards even closer international collaboration. The visit brought together researchers, students and industry representatives and further reinforces Tampere’s role in the expanding global space economy ecosystem,” says Jarmo Takala, Vice President for Stakeholder Relations and Partnerships at Tampere University.
Tampere University establishes a new space group, and the student space society resumes active operations
“The space industry is booming both globally and in Finland, including the Tampere region. In fact, strengthening the space economy ecosystem is one of the key objectives in the region’s government programme for 2027–2031,” says Heidi Kuusniemi, Professor of Wireless Systems at Tampere University.
Kuusniemi notes that the visit by the NASA delegation represents a significant opportunity for the University.
“Tampere University has a long history of research with applications in space, including satellite positioning, photonics, materials science and chip research. A wide range of fields open up career opportunities in the space sector, and we want our students to be aware of these opportunities,” says Kuusniemi.
The SpacEconomy project studies and develops Finland’s national space economy ecosystem
- SpacEconomy is a research project funded by the Strategic Research Council (SRC), an independent body operating within the Research Council of Finland. The project examines and develops the national space economy ecosystem as well as educational paths and new business models within the space sector.
- A defining feature of SRC-funded projects is their aim to deliver societal impact and produce research findings that directly support decision-making. Read more about the SpacEconomy project.
- On 13 May 2026, the SpacEconomy project hosted a networking event for researchers, students and industry representatives on Tampere University’s Hervanta campus. Read more about the Launch Into Space – Tampere Networking Event.
