SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch Suomi 100 satellite from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. SpaceX will do an additional launch readiness check-out, and once complete, new launch date will be published. The Falcon 9 and its payload remain at Vandenberg launch site waiting for near future launch. The rocket will take Suomi 100 on a sun-synchronous polar orbit with an altitude of 575 km. Suomi 100 satellite has been built by Aalto University together with the Finnish Meteorological Institute.
The Suomi 100 Satellite’s scientific mission includes the research of space weather and auroras, both linked together and being one of the main subjects of the Finnish space research. Additionally, the satellite has a camera for taking stunning orbital imagery of our Planet, and Finland, in particular.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch Suomi 100 satellite amongst a stack of small satellites into sun-synchronous polar orbit. 64 small satellites will be launched on this mission for nearly 50 government and commercial organizations from 16 countries, including the United States, Australia, Finland, Germany, Singapore and Thailand. The small nanosatellites will be released into space moderately in order to avoid collision. The exact order to release the satellites will be announced closer to the launch.
Suomi 100 satellite has been built by Aalto University together with the Finnish Meteorological Institute. The satellite has been ready since fall 2017, but because of the problems with the launcher (Indian PSLV) the launch has been delayed. In July 2018 the launch was transferred to Falcon 9 (Spaceflight’s SSO-A Mission). According to current planning the satellite is waiting for a new launch date and will ride to space in the near future from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California making an end to a long wait!
More information:
Suomi 100 satellite mission: http://www.suomi100satelliitti.fi/
Aalto University, Project leader, Prof. Esa Kallio: +358 50 4205 857
Finnish Meteorological Institute, Head of Unit, Dr. Ari-Matti Harri: ari-matti.harri@fmi.fi
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