According to Space Directory of Finland Finland entered space activities in the mid 1980’s and joined the ESA in 1987. Finnish industry and science have played an important role in many European satellite missions and there are Finnish Companies in Space Technology Industry, but we have not had our own satellite. It seems that in 2016 we are going to get our own satellite to orbiting earth. It seems that we are actually getting two satellites: Aalto-1 from Aalto University and Reaktor Hello World satellite from commercial company Reaktor.
It seems that the Finnish satellite race began as Nanosatellites open up space research as Finland builds its first satellite some years ago (project time 2010-2016). In this program students at Finland’s Aalto University are carefully piecing together their country’s first satellite called Aalto-1. The Aalto-1 is a bit taller than a milk carton and weighs 3kg. I saw some material and some hardware test version at Avaruusrekka exhibition at Aalto University at 2012.
It is an example of a nanosatellite, or nanosat, and is one of many being assembled right now in Europe. Conventional satellites are heavier and much larger than nanosats and more expensive to fire into space. “As a general rule of thumb, every 1kg of satellite adds €50,000 to the launch cost“.Finland’s first satellite into space leaves to space in late spring 2016: Students built by Aalto-1 satellite is ready to begin the journey towards the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket firing positions on the west coast of the United States. Here is a YouTube video of Aalto-1 satellite (in Finnish language):
Then comes another satellite: Hello World satellite from Reaktor space program. Reaktor Space Program is launching first satellite, Reaktor Hello World, in the fall of 2016. The project approach included being realistic and trying out new things. The project builds the satellite hardware, programs the satellite, sets up ground station and arranges launch. The people from Reaktor were dealing with the Aalto University School of satellite projects. Reaktor quickly realized the commercial potential of emerging academic research in space technology so it started it’s own satellite program. Reaktor put on the table plans for nano-satellites according to the Cubesat standard, which in itself is not a new invention – In just over ten years of similar Cubesat weight a few pounds of equipment has already been launched into space almost 500 pieces. Nano Satellites are located exactly in the optimal crossing point. In a few kilos can accommodate many tasks a sufficient number of components for smart phone like functionality, but the trip cost will still be a commercially reasonable level (EUR 50 000 - 100 000 per kilogram). Lightly space and little money brings to unfinished intermediate stage called MVP (Minimum Viable Product), which could translate into minimal functional development version. Reactor’s two kilos Hello World satellite can be more akin to flying mobile phone than traditional satellite hardware.
I hope all the best luck for those satellite projects. Good luck is needed, because typically half of all nano satellite projects fail because quality control and testing problems.
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Tomi Engdahl says:
Finnish company to make small satellites
Reaktor and Aalto University’s satellite team set up a new company, which focuses on new types of nano satellites. The aim is to create a new space business to Finland’s export industry.
Reaktor technology and Aalto University Aalto-1 satellite projects have been included in the team to set up a new satellite company. The new Reaktor Space Lab Ltd focuses on the design, construction and testing of a small-sized satellites.
The new company will be able to help Reaktor software development, but also to build the beginning of the satellite to the end. Responsible for the company’s space program and the robot business director Juha-Matti Liukkonen says the new company.
Source: http://www.uusiteknologia.fi/2016/04/06/suomalaisyritys-tekemaan-piensatelliittteja/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Finland will soon move to the space age
Aalto University is involved in the conquest of space transition, when the first nano-satellite Finnish Aalto-1 launched into space in the coming months. Satellites reduced size and lower prices of firing costs have started upheaval in Finland.
- Five-year work on the Aalto-1 satellite design and construction of a new generation of space engineering feat. Students’ motivation to persevere and work have created a strong foundation for regenerating the space sector in Finland, stated Professor at Aalto University Jaan Praks Space on the Stage seminar.
organized the Aalto University Design Factory Space on the Stage seminar brought together companies and industry experts, who presented their activities for the first time in Finland, visited the European Space Agency’s new Director-General, Jan Wörner.
Wörner, the companies have an increasingly important role in utilizing the space in the future. He emphasizes the strong research in the field. – New ideas do not exist without research, Wörner underlined.
Source: http://etn.fi/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4259:suomi-siirtyy-pian-avaruusaikaan&catid=13&Itemid=101
Tomi Engdahl says:
DA-Design Electronics was involved in the European Space Agency’s latest Sentinel-1B research satellite, which was launched into space on Monday Kourou Space Centre. Soyuz rocket was also involved in three mini-satellites.
Satellite participation in the projects so strong input of DA-Design has received both an opportunity and a touchstone, the company says in a statement.
The satisfaction of deliveries, says that the process of DA-Design prepares the corresponding parts for the following Sentinel-1 C and D Satellites. The agreement was signed in February.
Source: http://www.uusiteknologia.fi/2016/04/28/forssalaisyrityksen-tekniikkaa-avaruuteen/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Reaktor is triggered by the first commercial satellite in Finland
Software company Reaktor is triggered by the fall of the first Finnish player in commercial satellite into orbit.
The company plans to open satellites in the same software development for millions of developers, while in the past it has been a few thousand developers area. The reactor is to be used nanosatelliitissa-Node.js runtime environment, wherein applications utilizing satellites can be programmed in JavaScript.
Reaktor Hello World is the third satellite Finnish Aalto University Aalto triggered after 1 and Wave-2. established Aalto University’s satellite team with Factory Space in April the company Reaktor Space Lab focuses on the design, construction and testing of satellites. Wave mechanics testing of the satellites, Reaktor electronics design and software behalf.
“Today, satellite systems programmed received training in space technology factors, not software engineering professionals. Tasks are, however, increasingly software-based.”
Source: http://www.tivi.fi/Kaikki_uutiset/reaktor-laukaisee-ensimmaisena-suomessa-kaupallisen-satelliitin-6548795
Tomi Engdahl says:
Node.js on a satellite means anyone can be a space programmer
https://reaktor.com/blog/node-js-satellite-means-anyone-can-space-programmer/
Why is running Node.js on a satellite a small step for Reaktor but a giant leap for the satellite industry? The key is the ability to use JavaScript, one of the most popular programming languages in the world. Read on about how our little “Hello World” cubesat is about to make a big splash in the space industry.
What would happen if everyone with a normal driver’s license could fly an airplane just as safely and smoothly as a professional pilot?
This is what we are planning to do with the satellite business: to make it as easy as building a web site.
Now we are taking JavaScript from your browser window and making it a programming language that you can use in space.
Industry-grade programming has traditionally been very complicated and expensive, requiring unique programming languages and skills. Buying an industrial robot is not difficult, but programming it to do something useful without it breaking things can take weeks or months
This is where the Reaktor Hello World satellite is changing everything. If your industrial machinery, robots or satellites could understand popular languages, such as JavaScript, you would have no trouble finding programmers. You would not need to understand the low-level implementation of a robot or satellite for it to be productive.
If a satellite was running Node.js, programmers and developers could use all the familiar tools they have utilized before. There would be no need for a special rocket scientist toolkit.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Space on the Stage
Seminar and exhibition for professionals and students interested in the field of space technology.
http://www.aalto.fi/en/current/events/2016-03-16/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Aalto-1-satelliitti integroitiin kiinnityssäiliöön Hollannin Delftissä
http://www.aalto.fi/fi/current/news/2016-05-13-006/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Elon Musks rocket precious cargo: Finland’s first satellite
“Finland’s first satellite” titled Aalto-1 is approaching launch.
Aalto University News coverage from multi-year project on space Aalto-1 satellite. Even after the construction and testing of a five-year Aalto-1 is now put in the Netherlands mortgage tank.
Later, the tank will be integrated into SpaceX Elon Musk, the company’s Falcon 9 rocket that carries the cargo space, together with other small satellites.
Aalto-1′s launch is the current scheduled event in July. Yet in March University anticipate launching in late spring, and even new delays are possible.
In the early stages of the project launch was expected to take place in 2013.
Tiny satellite is involved in exciting technology
Although satellites are advertised as the first of Finland, the Finns have of course played an important role in construction for a number of international satellites and space research unit.
Source: http://www.digitoday.fi/tiede-ja-teknologia/2016/05/15/elon-muskin-raketilla-arvokas-lasti-suomen-ensimmainen-satelliitti/20165226/66
Tomi Engdahl says:
Finnish satellite launch delayed
The first satellite launch delayed in Finnish history in June-July to late autumn. The American company SpaceX has announced the launch date in September-November. Falcon 9 rocket flight schedule has been changed due to delayed launches.
Aalto-1 has long been ready to go. It was submitted in May Delft in the Netherlands and was integrated with Innovative Solutions in Space company clean mode mounting the tank.
” Even though delays are not unusual in this below, this is an unfortunate thing in all respects. Satellites is not designed to be in an idle state for nearly half a year.”
Aalto-1 is a modern nano-satellite according to Cubesat standard, which includes a Finnish high technology. The satellite is perched on the three research unit: VTT built spectral camera, the University of Helsinki and University of Turku, a common radiation detector developed by the Finnish Meteorological Institute and the plasma brake, electronic solar sail based on the idea and aims at reducing space debris.
Aalto-1 is designed and constructed in Otaniemi, Espoo. The project has been involved in a total of more than 80 students, and the pair have been dozens of master’s and kanditöitä, several conference papers, as well as scientific publications.
Source: http://www.uusiteknologia.fi/2016/06/27/suomalaissatelliitin-laukaisu-viivastyy/
Tomi Engdahl says:
The SmallSat Launcher War
http://hackaday.com/2017/02/09/the-smallsat-launcher-war/
Tomi Engdahl says:
http://www.uusiteknologia.fi/2017/03/06/suomalaissatelliittin-laukaisu-lahestyy-aalto-2-jo-yhdysvalloissa/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook
Tomi Engdahl says:
Aalto-2 satellite is in space now
http://www.uusiteknologia.fi/2017/04/19/aalto-2-satelliitti-paasi-avaruuteen/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook
Tomi Engdahl says:
Aalto-2 soon released – Aalto-1 at the end of May to space
Aalto-2 satellite arrived at the International Space Station last Friday on the Cygnus spacecraft carrying dozens of other small satellites. Aalto-2 is released into space on either May 8 or May 15. At the end of May, the Aalto-1 Indian PSLV rocket launches into space.
Source: http://www.uusiteknologia.fi/2017/04/24/aalto-2-pian-vapaaksi-aalto-1-toukokuun-lopulla-avaruuteen/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Aalto-2 satellite starts work next week:
Aalto-2 aloittaa työt ensi viikolla
http://www.etn.fi/index.php/13-news/6344-aalto-2-aloittaa-tyot-ensi-viikolla
Tomi Engdahl says:
Aalto-2 satellite is working in space now:
Suomalaissatelliitti saatiin toimimaan – radiosignaali todistaa
Uutinen – 25.5.2017
http://www.uusiteknologia.fi/2017/05/25/suomalaissatelliitti-saatiin-toimimaan-radiosignaali-todistaa/
Tomi Engdahl says:
The promising start of the Aalto-2 space trip has been an astonishing experience. Satellites no longer respond to commands. Problems are likely to be due to a component that is damaged by radiation or a low temperature problem in the energy system.
Finnish mini-satellite Aalto-2 was successfully released from the International Space Station on May 25. The first observation of the satellite signal was made from Japan the same day, and later in the evening the satellite was already in contact with the Otaniemi land station.
During the first days, the satellite team ensured that the Aalto-2 antennas and sensors had been opened and the energy system charged the batteries. Four days after the release of the satellite signal began to disturb.
Source: http://www.uusiteknologia.fi/2017/06/12/joko-avaruus-uuvutti-suomalaissatelliitin/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.viestintavirasto.fi/viestintavirasto/ajankohtaista/2015/viestintavirastoltaradiolupasuomenensimmaisellesatelliitille.html
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://wiki.aalto.fi/display/SuomiSAT/Etusivu;jsessionid=2D9672665066EA4C1AF46FB16FCDF229
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aalto-1#Maa-asema
http://aalto1.fi/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Aalto-1 radios work at
437,22 MHz UHF and 2,402 GHz S-band
Source: https://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aalto-1
Tomi Engdahl says:
Video: Suomalaissatelliitti nousi avaruuteen
https://www.uusiteknologia.fi/2017/06/23/suomalaissatelliitti-nousi-avaruuteen/
The Launch of PSLV – C38 / CARTOSAT-2 Series Satellite- Live
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9XXV8mt-T0
Tomi Engdahl says:
First pictures sent from Aalto 2
http://www.is.fi/kotimaa/art-2000005301342.html
https://www.uusiteknologia.fi/2017/07/24/suomalaissatelliitti-lahetti-jo-kuvaa-avaruudesta/
Tomi Engdahl says:
SpaceX Is Now One of the World’s Most Valuable Privately Held Companies
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/27/technology/spacex-is-now-one-of-the-worlds-most-valuable-privately-held-companies.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Ftechnology&action=click&contentCollection=technology®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=10&pgtype=sectionfront
SpaceX, the rocket maker founded by billionaire Elon Musk, has raised up to $350 million in new financing and is now valued at around $21 billion, making it one of the most valuable privately held companies in the world.
With the latest funding round, SpaceX joins an elite club of seven venture-backed companies valued at $20 billion or more around the world, according to research firm CB Insights.
Five companies based in the United States that are valued at more than $20 billion — including Uber, Airbnb and WeWork — have upended established industries like transportation and real estate. Palantir, the analytics company that is in the $20 billion-plus valuation club, is vying to become a major government contractor, as is SpaceX.
Tomi Engdahl says:
The celebration satellite will be delayed until space in March
Finland will have to celebrate its 100th anniversary without a celebration. The Finnish 100 satellite was getting a seat on the launch of December, but further inquiries and permissions cause the launch of the Finnish satellite to go to March 2018.
The Finland 100 satellite space trip will delay the launch of the Indian PSLV launcher that was launched on the August flight and the resulting slowdown schedule.
“Satellite launch schedules depend on many different factors. The flight originally planned for the Finland 100 satellite has been transferred to March next year, “says Professor Esa Kallio, Aalto University, responsible for the satellite project.
Source: https://www.uusiteknologia.fi/2017/11/15/juhlasatelliitti-myohastyy-avaruuteen-vasta-maaliskuussa/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.uusiteknologia.fi/2017/11/30/avaruusalan-yrityskiihdyttamo-suomeen/
Tomi Engdahl says:
The first Finnish commercial satellite has been launched!
India’s PSLV lifts off on first flight since fairing failure
https://spaceflightnow.com/2018/01/12/pslv-c-40-coverage/
A Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle lifted off Friday with 31 satellites on the first flight for India’s workhorse rocket since an August mishap that left an Indian navigation satellite unusable after reaching orbit.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.uusiteknologia.fi/2018/01/12/kaupallinen-suomalaissatelliitti-avaruuteen-uusi-laki-pian-voimaan/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.uusiteknologia.fi/2018/04/23/hello-world-satelliitti-sai-radioluvan/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.uusiteknologia.fi/2018/05/24/suomalaisyhtiolta-ensi-vuonna-yhdeksan-uutta-piensatelliittia/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.uusiteknologia.fi/2018/06/15/omaa-teknologiaa-avaruusasemalle/
Tomi Engdahl says:
http://www.etn.fi/index.php/13-news/8147-otaniemen-maa-asemasta-tulee-ohjelmistoradiopohjainen
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.uusiteknologia.fi/2018/06/25/nelikiloisen-aalto-1n-matka-paattyy-vuoden-lopulla/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.uusiteknologia.fi/2018/09/13/juhlasatelliitti-viimein-valmiina-lahtoon-musk-apuun/
Tomi Engdahl says:
http://www.etn.fi/index.php/13-news/8426-suomi100-nanosatelliitti-radalleen-kahden-kuukauden-kuluttua
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.uusiteknologia.fi/2018/10/02/uusi-hyperspektrikamera-valmiina-avaruuteen/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.uusiteknologia.fi/2018/11/05/juhlasatelliitti-pian-avaruuteen-mukana-63-muutakin-piensatelliitia/
Tomi Engdahl says:
http://www.etn.fi/index.php/13-news/8675-suomi-100-satelliitti-matkaan-vuoden-myohassa
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.uusiteknologia.fi/2018/11/19/suomi-100-satelliitin-laukaisu-viivastyi-jalleen/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.uusiteknologia.fi/2018/11/27/ja-taas-yritetaan-suomi-100-satelliitti-matkaan-28-11-klo-20-32/
Tomi Engdahl says:
http://suomi100satelliitti.fi/laukaisu_aikaisintaan_2_joulukuuta
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.reaktor.com/blog/reaktor-space-lab-takes-off/
https://www.firstpost.com/tech/science/isro-pslv-c43-launch-mission-all-you-need-to-know-about-hysis-and-the-30-other-small-satellites-onboard-5633831.html
Tomi Engdahl says:
http://www.etn.fi/index.php/13-news/8795-yha-ylos-yrittaa-suomi-100-laukaistaan-tanaan
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.uusiteknologia.fi/2018/12/03/suomi-100-juhlasatelliitti-paasi-vihdoin-avaruuteen/
Tomi Engdahl says:
http://suomi100satelliitti.fi/aalto_kitsat_fi
Tomi Engdahl says:
http://suomi100satelliitti.fi/mika
Tomi Engdahl says:
http://www.etn.fi/index.php/13-news/8810-suomi-100-satelliitti-lahetti-jo-ensimmaisen-signaalin-maahan
Tomi Engdahl says:
http://www.etn.fi/index.php/13-news/8809-suomi-100-paasi-matkaan-vuoden-myohassa
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.avaruus.fi/index.php?id=10440
Kantoraketin kyydissä ovat suomalaissatelliitit Suomi 100 sekä ICEYE-X2.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.uusiteknologia.fi/2019/01/16/suomi-uuteen-minisatelliittihankkeeseen/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.uusiteknologia.fi/2019/02/06/suomalaissatelliitti-aalto-2-tuhoutuu-ensi-yona/