Chapter 4
30
2.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE R&D
FRAMEWORK
Finnish EO activities are part of national science and technology policy
and research and development (R&D) framework. Space activities are
closely integrated to other basic and applied research sectors. So the results
can easily diffuse to all potential user sectors.
Research areas are connected to national needs. The most important
criterion in directing R&D is the potential financial benefit from the use of
space-related methods. The work is, therefore, focused on applications and
utilization of basic research.
Financing and research activities have been distributed among several
authorities and government agencies. Research institutes and government
agencies using EO technologies are also responsible for financing
development expenses. The distributed organization is, however, supported
by advisory boards, of which the most important is the Finnish Space
Committee.
3.
RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE SPACE
COMMITTEE
The Finnish Space Committee co-ordinates R&D work and Finnish
international space co-operation at the Government level. The Committee
works in conjunction with the Ministry of Trade and Industry as an advisory
body. Its members represent all applications fields and parties involved in
space research and development.
The Committee recommends the following objectives for the Finnish
Earth Observation activities:
R&D should focus on economically important applications.
Development of applications should be customer-oriented.
The growth of industrial applications should be promoted.
National and international co-operation should be increased.
Acquisition of data should be ensured by selective participation in
international programs.
The administration, finance and implementation of the above objectives
have been distributed among several government agencies and research
institutes. Finland does not have a centralized space agency. Therefore, a
clear-cut division of tasks in the decentralized organization is needed. The
main players are the Academy of Finland, TEKES (Technology
Development Centre) and the research institutes.
30
2.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE R&D
FRAMEWORK
Finnish EO activities are part of national science and technology policy
and research and development (R&D) framework. Space activities are
closely integrated to other basic and applied research sectors. So the results
can easily diffuse to all potential user sectors.
Research areas are connected to national needs. The most important
criterion in directing R&D is the potential financial benefit from the use of
space-related methods. The work is, therefore, focused on applications and
utilization of basic research.
Financing and research activities have been distributed among several
authorities and government agencies. Research institutes and government
agencies using EO technologies are also responsible for financing
development expenses. The distributed organization is, however, supported
by advisory boards, of which the most important is the Finnish Space
Committee.
3.
RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE SPACE
COMMITTEE
The Finnish Space Committee co-ordinates R&D work and Finnish
international space co-operation at the Government level. The Committee
works in conjunction with the Ministry of Trade and Industry as an advisory
body. Its members represent all applications fields and parties involved in
space research and development.
The Committee recommends the following objectives for the Finnish
Earth Observation activities:
R&D should focus on economically important applications.
Development of applications should be customer-oriented.
The growth of industrial applications should be promoted.
National and international co-operation should be increased.
Acquisition of data should be ensured by selective participation in
international programs.
The administration, finance and implementation of the above objectives
have been distributed among several government agencies and research
institutes. Finland does not have a centralized space agency. Therefore, a
clear-cut division of tasks in the decentralized organization is needed. The
main players are the Academy of Finland, TEKES (Technology
Development Centre) and the research institutes.