International ActInSpace 2026 Innovation Hackathon Held in Riga
International ActInSpace 2026 Innovation Hackathon Held in Riga
On 30–31 January 2026, the international innovation hackathon Act In Space took place in Riga at the University of Latvia’s House of Nature. The event brought together students, researchers, entrepreneurs, developers, and technology enthusiasts for 24 hours of intensive work to create innovative solutions based on space technologies and satellite data.
A total of 17 teams participated in the hackathon, developing 17 projects within 24 hours. The teams addressed challenges related to space, defence, sustainability, and data utilisation. Project topics included space and space-enabled defence, modular and compositional satellite design, private space stations, orbital data centres and edge computing, AI-based solutions for vegetation monitoring, as well as Earth protection and sustainable resource management using Airbus Earth Observation data.
This year, the event was supported by the University of Latvia, Transport and Telecommunication Institute, Riga Technical University, and EKA University of Applied Sciences. These institutions contributed mentors, ensured strong student participation, and provided diverse support for both the hackathon process and team idea development.
Enno Ence, Vice-Rector for Development at the University of Latvia, highlighted the role of universities in the innovation ecosystem:
“We were pleased to host the European Space Agency’s travelling hackathon Act In Space 2026 at the University of Latvia. Events like this are particularly valuable for engaging students and researchers with deep domain expertise. Their knowledge enables meaningful collaboration with industry to address real challenges and generate innovative ideas. In the space sector, hackathons demonstrate the university’s role as a safe experimental environment where solutions with applications both in space and on Earth can emerge and grow.”
Throughout the hackathon, all teams received support from experienced mentors who assisted with technical development, business model design, and preparation of final presentations. The projects were presented to a jury at the end of the event, demonstrating a high level of professionalism, creativity, and potential for further development.
Hackathon Winners
1st place – Braliukai
The project HEXSAT proposes a modular and compositional satellite solution aimed at reducing the high costs, long development cycles, and limited upgrade possibilities of traditional space missions. The satellite would be launched as a compact block of vertically stacked modules, maximising rocket payload volume. Once in orbit, the modules would automatically deploy and connect into a single structure. The system allows for satellite reconfiguration and upgrades even after launch, enabling flexibility for different missions and supporting more sustainable space infrastructure development.
2nd place – TSISC
A project focused on modular and compositional satellite design, aimed at creating flexible and adaptable space systems.
3rd place – Space Psy
A project delivering practical forest warning solutions from space, enabling early identification of environmental risks.
Awards and International Support
The winning Latvian team will receive the main prize – the opportunity to represent Latvia at the Act In Space international final in Bordeaux, France, competing with top teams from other countries for four prestigious international awards provided by ESA, CNES, Airbus, and their partners. In addition to the main prize, several surprise awards will also be granted in Latvia to support further team development.
Ilze Stikāne, Senior Expert at the Ministry of Education and Science, emphasised the importance of public support:
“The organisation of the ActInSpace hackathon in Latvia is a significant contribution to raising young people’s interest in the space sector and strengthening Latvia’s space ecosystem internationally. Latvia’s status as an associate member of the European Space Agency opens opportunities for students and startups to develop skills and ideas through programmes, training, conferences, and project calls.”
Nikolajs Adamovičs, Coordinator of ESA BIC Latvia and Head of Commercialization Reactor, added:
“Act In Space shows that space technologies in Latvia are not a vision of the future – they are already becoming commercially viable solutions today. ESA BIC Latvia, managed by Commercialization Reactor, is pleased to support the most promising teams and invites new entrepreneurs to apply for the incubation programme at www.esabic.lv.”
About Act In Space
Act In Space is a global innovation hackathon jointly organised by the French National Centre for Space Studies (CNES) and the European Space Agency (ESA) since 2014. Its goal is to identify, develop, and support the commercialisation of ideas based on space technologies, satellite data, and related solutions.
The hackathon takes place every two years in more than 50 countries worldwide, bringing together thousands of participants. Act In Space promotes entrepreneurship, innovation, and the practical use of space technologies not only for research, but also for socio-economic development, including sustainability, security, mobility, and environmental protection.
In Latvia, the ActInSpace hackathon was held for the fourth time and this year was organised by ESA Business Incubation Centre Latvia (ESA BIC Latvia) in cooperation with the Latvian Space Industry Association (LAIK).
Article in LabsOfLatvia about the hackathon in Latvian: https://labsoflatvia.com/aktuali/starptautiskaja-hakatona-act-in-space-latviju-parstaves-braliukai
Photos from the event are available here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/LD5BTVnPbM8fLgybA