Pori Space Lab is a joint collaboration platform in space technology for the City of Pori, University of Turku and Satakunta University of Applied Sciences. The goal of the collaboration is a small satellite programme that combines research and education as well as cooperation with business life and international networks.
The City of Pori, University of Turku and Satakunta University of Applied Sciences have signed a strategic cooperation agreement on space technology. Mayor of Pori Lauri Inna, Rector of the University of Turku Marjo Kaartinen, and Managing Director and President of the Satakunta University of Applied Sciences Jari Multisilta signed the agreement at the Pori city hall on 25 June 2026. The memorandum of understanding for the collaboration was signed a year ago.
The goal of the Pori Space Lab collaboration is to build a multidisciplinary small satellite programme spanning various degrees, which will combine different objectives in education, research, and development of business life.
The University of Turku serves as the scientific driver of Pori Space Lab.
“Satellite data opens up new avenues into understanding and solving global challenges. With Pori Space Lab, the University of Turku strengthens space and environmental research using satellite data as well as university-level education, and builds international academic networks together with the other partners. Another key aspect is to have strong connections to international space programmes and collaborate with ESA and NASA, for example,” says Rector of the University of Turku Marjo Kaartinen.
As part of the collaboration, the University of Turku establishes a new international Space Technology and Environmental Remote Sensing Master's Degree Programme, which will offer a straightforward learning path to a master’s degree also to the technology graduates of the Satakunta University of Applied Sciences.
Managing Director and President of the Satakunta University of Applied Sciences Jari Multisilta says that for SAMK the collaboration with the University of Turku and City of Pori means first and foremost new opportunities for technology education, practical learning environments, and business collaboration.
“Pori Space Lab integrates space and satellite technology into the development of expertise in the Satakunta region. It is important that the students and business life in the area are able to participate in the development of this rapidly growing field.”
Pori Space Lab strengthens Satakunta’s business life by building a knowledge base for key sectors, such as the energy and process industries, automation and robotics, metallurgy, green transition solutions, the maritime industry, and logistics by integrating satellite data and space expertise into the development of new solutions and business operations.
“The memorandum of understanding signed a year ago is now taking shape as a collaboration with a clear direction. This is a good example of how long-term collaboration can build new competence and open up entirely new opportunities for the region. We want to build Pori into a place where rapidly evolving fields such as space technology can grow and generate new expertise,” says Mayor of Pori Lauri Inna.
All the partners consider the collaboration a great opportunity to develop new competence and to strengthen especially the vitality of the Satakunta region though cooperation in space technology.
