Finnish firm launches country’s first Arctic micro-satellite

Finnish firm Iceye has successfully launched a micro-satellite that this the world’s first dedicated Arctic micro-satellite.

The satellite, ICEEYE-X1 weighs only 70kg, and was launched on India’s PSLV-C40 launch rocket last week, says the company.

Iceeye focuses on earth observation data acquisition through what is known as synthetic aperture radar technology.

With the successful launch last week the company now wants to establish the satellite in operation as a proof of concept for the technology.

In a statement Iceeye says data received from the satellite in space can be used for a wide variety of use cases including monitoring changing sea ice for maritime and environmental uses, tracking marine oil spills and helping to prevent illegal fishing.

The Finnish company has plans to launch a total of 18 microsatellites.

Craig Eason

Craig Eason is the owner and editorial director of Fathom.World. He has a background in the shipping industry having started his career as a cadet on oil tankers and gas carriers before becoming a navigating officer on a range of vessel types. A change in career, with ensuing university studies, and he has now gained 20 years experience in written and broadcast journalism. He now is in demand as a knowledgeable and competent editor and event host and moderator, both for in-house events and ones for the public.