Last week, Unibap Space Solutions attended the annual Winter Satellite Workshop organized by Aalto University in Espoo, Finland. The event reached a record number of participants, confirming its position as the largest New Space event in the Nordic and Baltic region, with a focus on small satellite missions, space technology, and sustainable use of space.

Over three intensive days, industry professionals, researchers, and students gathered for an extensive agenda and numerous networking opportunities. New for this year was the Space and Defence Track, which provided valuable insights into dual-use technologies and ongoing initiatives driven by the growing demand within European defense.

Unibap showcased its state-of-the-art edge-processing solutions at the EXPO and proudly contributed to the Space and Defence Track. Representing Unibap at the event were Benita Gornicka , Director Europe Space Missions and Applications, Mathias Persson, VP Space, and Hedda Klintskog, Software Engineer.

Strong Presence of Academia and the Nordic Space Ecosystem

For Hedda Klintskog, one of the most valuable aspects of the workshop was the strong connection between industry and academia.

“I really enjoyed meeting many Nordic companies and learning more about the Finnish space sector. You could really feel the presence of the universities during the workshop, and I met many students and PhDs during the week. As always, I’m impressed by the commitment and curiosity of people in the space industry.”

Satellite Data Unlocking Powerful Insights

What stood out most to Hedda was the wide range of applications enabled by satellite data and how impactful these insights can be.

“It was really exciting to hear examples of all the possible insights we can receive from satellite data. From using hyperspectral data to determine soil moisture or detect melting snow, to distinguishing man-made objects with SAR data, and detecting dark vessels using maritime surveillance sensors. For me, this is what motivates me the most to work in the space industry.”

Edge Computing Emerging as a Key Enabler

A clear industry trend that emerged during the event was the growing need for onboard intelligence.

“Edge computing is needed everywhere. A lot of companies have built a foundation for collecting large amounts of data and have good methods for processing this data on the ground. But using edge computing would unlock even more value from the data.”

This aligns closely with Unibap’s core mission: enabling real-time data processing directly in space, reducing latency, bandwidth demands, and enabling faster decision-making for both commercial and defense-related applications.

A Rapidly Evolving and Increasingly Strategic Space Sector

Winter Satellite Workshop once again demonstrated the rapid growth of the Nordic and Baltic space ecosystem, as well as the increasing overlap between commercial innovation, academic research, and defense needs. For Unibap, the event provided an important platform to connect with partners, engage in technical discussions, and demonstrate how edge processing can contribute to more efficient and sustainable space services.

“It’s inspiring to see so many actors working toward the same goal — using space technology to create real value on Earth,” Hedda concludes.

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