Kuva Space and ICEYE, two Finnish spacetech companies, have recently launched their satellites into Earth’s orbit, advancing the space tech sector of the region. The Hyperfield-1 and SAR satellites successfully reached orbit on the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

  • The launch of Kuva Space’s first hyperspectral microsatellite, Hyperfield-1 marks the beginnings of a planned network that would give near-real-time global data for climate monitoring and food security. 

  • Meanwhile, ICEYE launched four additional synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites, strengthening its world-leading SAR constellation that provides precise Earth Observation insights under all conditions.

Kuva Space and ICEYE’s growth of their satellite constellations, pushes innovation in space technology and delivers insights into global concerns such as climate change and natural disaster response. The launch demonstrates Finland's expanding impact in the global space sector, with tech-driven entrepreneurs offering new solutions that have the potential to alter industries and enhance life on Earth.

About Kuva Space and ICEYE

  • Kuva Space is a Finnish space and intelligence firm. Created in 2016, the firm aims to develop cutting-edge microsatellite technology and enhance life on Earth, providing decision-makers with timely, credible information on climate change, food security, safety, and security.

In April 2024, Kuva Space was awarded a €1.8 million contract to participate in the European Space Agency’s (ESA). And before that, in 2023, it managed to raise €16.6 million in a Series A round.

  • ICEYE Ltd., a European microsatellite manufacturer, was established in 2014 as a spin-off of Aalto University's University Radio Technology Department. With over 700 employees, the company operates internationally with offices in Finland, Poland, Spain, the UK, and the US, aiming to improve Earth Observation. 

AIN reminds our readers that in August 2022, Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation purchased the ICEYE satellite for Ukrainian defenders. The new radar satellite was used to provide Ukraine with uninterrupted access to data in any weather conditions. And in April this year, the company raised $93 million in growth funding.

“With frequent and steady deployment of new satellites into the ICEYE constellation, we are making progress towards our vision of improving life on Earth by becoming the global source of truth in Earth Observation. The powerful and capable satellite constellation ensures fulfilling our commitments to working as a trusted partner with a growing number of governments and commercial industries to deliver timely, accurate, and actionable insights for faster and better decision-making. We are proud to launch the first ICEYE satellite for our customer Bayanat and Yahsat and look forward to continued successful cooperation on their missions”, Rafal Modrzewski, CEO and Co-Founder of ICEYE, mentioned in the press release.

ICEYE intends to launch up to 13 additional satellites in 2024, and 10-15 new satellites each year in 2025 and beyond for its constellation and clients. The previous launch in March 2024 successfully added three more satellites to the system. 

Kuva Space expects its satellite to become a 100-strong constellation by 2030, delivering near real-time intelligence for decision-makers across industries.