One of the key priorities of the European community is to promote regional cooperation in all areas of social activities as a foundation for Europe’s development. Among the priority directions of development is the field of technologies, especially space technologies, which are considered strategic for positioning Europe as a key player in space exploration and utilization.
A particular challenge for countries in Southeast Europe is their relative lag in high technologies, including space technologies, with varying degrees of development. It has been recognized that the efforts of individual countries in Southeast Europe to catch up with European and global developments in space activities have been somewhat fragmented. This has the effect of diminishing the opportunities that could be available. In response to this, the South-East European Space Association (SESA) was founded on June 27. The idea of establishing the association in the field of space technologies was discussed at the first meeting on July 1, and the initial joint working meeting on July 10 defined a common strategy and principles for action and activity implementation.
The association is comprised of the Adriatic Aerospace Association (A3) from Croatia, the Committee for Space Program Development (CSPD) from Serbia (Novi Sad), the Center for Education and Robotics, Innovation and Technology CERIT from Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mostar), Montenegro Space Research (MSR) from Montenegro (Podgorica), and the Center for Innovation and Technological Development (NAVIA) from North Macedonia (Skopje). SESA’s primary objective is to enhance the capabilities and expertise of space engineering professionals in the region. We facilitate knowledge sharing, support the advancement of national initiatives, and collaborate on projects of mutual benefit.
The initiative to establish SESA has received significant support from international circles, particularly from India. As part of the celebration of 75 years of independence, India will launch 75 satellites into space. We are grateful to our Indian partners, particularly the Indian Technology Congress Association (ITCA), for their understanding and support. One of the satellites has been allocated to SESA and will be launched into space by the end of the year as a joint SESA satellite. The satellite will transmit a message of unity in cooperation on space projects in our region. It will bear the SESA logo. Ground stations for communication with satellites are currently being set up by SESA member countries. This project is expected to be completed by the end of the year, aligned with the launch of the joint SESA satellite, with a special mission. These ground stations will also communicate with existing satellites and be used for educating students. This setup ensures that the SESA region, with its excellent satellite pass-over position, will be able to offer ground stations to other countries in the future, should they require them. International and regional cooperation is a fundamental aspect of A3’s work. It is a member of the International Astronautical Federation and SME4SPACE, partnering with international centers in Austria, China, Germany, and others for space technology development. Education is a key focus for A3, with the establishment of the Center for Space and Innovation Technology in Sisak and space technology sections in Croatian high schools. CSPD’s major project involves satellite monitoring of surface waters worldwide, with strategic partnerships with India and Roscosmos. MSR works closely with experts in space technology in the UK. CERIT collaborates with sister institutions in Turkey developing space technologies. NAVIA is highly involved in drone technology development. Many SESA members have longstanding scientific and personal connections with prominent members of the global space community, which will help the newly established Southeast European Space Association make faster and easier strides in space.
One of SESA’s most important activities is youth education. A3 has been working for years to establish Croatia internationally as a country developing space technologies through programs that educate young high school and university students. We are also proud to have participated in launching the Center for Space and Innovation Technology in Sisak, as well as hosting two international space conferences—the Brijuni Conference and Adria Space. The Conference plays an important role in promoting space themes and activities among its 60 members, as well as in drafting Croatia’s National Space Strategy and Program. It is currently engaged in significant projects such as the Croatian satellites CroCube and Perun I, and is collaborating on a joint SESA satellite project. A3 has taken the initiative to establish an international consortium for the Pulsed Inductive Thruster project, which involves the Institute of Space Systems (University of Stuttgart), Space Propulsion and Mobility (Technical University of Munich), Aerospace Engineering (Technical University Wiener Neustadt), Department of Astronautics (Imperial College London), Brimatech (Vienna), Institute of Physics (Zagreb), Ruđer Bošković Institute (Zagreb), FESB (Split), and FER (Zagreb).
We are grateful to be working with A3 members such as the Ruđer Bošković Institute, Amphinicy Ltd., Algebra University College, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Information Technology, University of Osijek, Multinorm Ltd., ATIR Ltd., Oikon Ltd., and Span Ltd. We are also grateful for the contributions of organizations like the Croatian Astronautics and Rocketry Association and the Croatian Community of Technical Culture, which will play an important role in the development of satellite technology in the region, especially in Croatia. They will support the creation, maintenance, management, and launching of satellite rockets up to 20 km for the benefit of the entire community. It would be beneficial to educate future generations who may require such knowledge and skills for future employment opportunities. This could help to make our region and domestic companies more competitive in the industry of the future, and prepare scientific institutions for the development of science and space technologies. This could potentially allow us to be at the forefront globally. This program is part of SESA’s shared legacy. Based on its values, it will provide training for primary, high school, and university students in Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia. The republics will independently define the rules according to their needs. As this is a STEM program, its implementation may affect the direction of students and university students in science and technology areas that are crucial for the economic development of each country. We are honored to announce that SESA members will have the privilege of participating in the final of the World CanSat/Rocketry Championship (WCRC), scheduled for September 25-27 in Novi Sad, organized by CSPD.
SESA has the potential to achieve great things, particularly given its interdisciplinary application areas and the regional understanding and readiness to move forward together.
