ºÚÁÏÍø

The Suomi 100 satellite being built, viewed directly from above. The light-coloured part is one of the peculiar features of the satellite: The part was 3D printed, using technology developed in Finland. It contains the antenna of a radio instrument that makes observations on space weather.  The satellite's camera can be seen in the middle. Photo Jari Mäkinen

Time: Friday, 15 September 2017 10:00 AM

Place: Alvarinaukio, Otaniemi, Espoo

The Suomi 100 satellite is the third satellite built at Aalto University, and it is to be launched into space in December. When in orbit the small nanosatellite will observe space weather, including the aurora borealis, and with its camera, it will take pictures of the earth and especially Finland.

The media and the public at large now have a unique opportunity to see this satellite that celebrates Finland, and to get to meet the researchers who built it.  This will be the only time that the satellite will be on display: already in September it will be taken to a launch broker, which will take it to the launch site in India to be placed inside the launch vehicle.

The satellite will be on display on Friday in the Suomi 100 satellite space truck, which will make an extensive tour throughout Finland in September and October.  Taking part in the tour is a model of the satellite as well as full-scale models of all satellites that have been built in Finland or which being built here.  In addition to the Suomi 100 satellite and the research that it is carrying out, the Space Truck will showcase Finland's rapidly expanding know-how in nanosatellites, as well as space and space flight in general.

Also, work will be done on a satellite in a clean space built inside the truck. The public will be able to see on a concrete level what a modern nanosatellite is like, and a few visitors can do it themselves under the guidance of students.  The assembly of the satellite will continue in each city, and finally the assembled satellite, which will hopefully work well, will be launched into the upper atmosphere.

Satellite Truck. Photo: Jari Mäkinen

The Finnish Government's Suomi 100 project supports the satellite and the Space Truck. Aalto University's partner in the Suomi 100 satellite project is the Finnish Meteorological Institute.  Taking part in the Space Truck tour are Ursa Astronomical Association, the City of Espoo, and the European Space Education Resource Office (ESERO). After the tour, the exhibition in the Space Truck will be on display at the WeeGee Exhibition Centre from November 2017 through April 2018.

Further information:

Suomi 100 satellite
Professor Esa Kallio
Tel. +358 50 4205 857
esa.kallio@aalto.fi

Space Truck
Producer Jari Mäkinen
Tel. +358 40 550 91 98
jari.makinen@kupla.com