New Space Economy ready to lift off thanks to Finnish innovation

finland space economy

We look at Finnish innovation in the Space technology sector and how it is leading the way to a brighter future for earth.

The new space economy is taking a giant leap as space technology turns towards improving the future of life here on earth. As the sector grows, innovative Finnish companies are leading the way using their digital and tech-savvy expertise and stellar engineering skills to bring space back down to earth. According to Morgan Stanley’s Space Team, the global space industry will surge to over $1 trillion by 2040, as companies use space technology and innovation to solve issues that impact our lives, including climate change, rising sea levels, wildfires, and ice melting rates.

Finland is fast becoming a technological superpower with innovations that have led to the rise of ‘Astro-preneurship’ and the establishment of the New Space Economy. Independent space companies are set to reshape traditional business models, develop faster and cheaper access to space than ever before, and advance earth observations far beyond today’s satellite capabilities.

New space initiatives from Finland-backed start-ups include microsatellites that monitor the impact of climate change on the environment, such as floods and natural disasters. One such start-up is ICEYE. The business, which has almost reached ’unicorn status,’ is disrupting traditional earth imaging with its synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) microsatellites. The SAR technology can deliver reliable imaging data at any time and in any weather, even during darkness and overcast conditions, making it a fitting solution for object detection, target tracking, activity monitoring, and more.

“It’s been an incredible journey for us at ICEYE, and we are extremely proud of the progress our team has made in such a short amount of time,” says Rafal Modrzewski, ICEYE’s CEO. “This year, we’ve launched seven additional spacecraft, and ICEYE is now the operator of the world’s largest SAR constellation in the world. We also signed several important partnerships and reached significant milestones, such as our work with the European Space Agency, where we joined the Third Party Missions data portfolio and also became the first European New Space company to officially join Copernicus, the largest satellite Earth observation program in the world.”

Another dynamic space tech innovation is Aurora Propulsion Technologies, a Finnish company dedicated to the sustainable use of space. Partnering with the US company Rocket Lab, Aurora is preparing to launch a satellite to test ‘space junk’ removal technologies. Space junk refers to debris from objects such as satellites that are still in space but are no longer functional.

Experts estimate that millions of pieces of debris are currently orbiting the earth, with the declining cost of space technology likely to result in even more. The AuroraSat-1 CubeSat contains systems that will help bring satellites back to earth.

space debris
3D render of waste from broken artificial satellites floating in orbit

Also developing space satellite technology to support the sustainable use of natural resources is VTT, one of Europe’s leading research institutions. Hundreds of satellites collect daily global information from the earth’s surface and atmosphere to support the sustainable use of natural resources. VTT’s remote sensing technology includes hyperspectral imaging used by Finnish company Kuva Space.

Kuva Space is building the world’s most effective service for global daily data on vegetation and soil to help manage natural resources and grow the economy more sustainably. The technology is the first infrared hyperspectral imager ever flown on a nanosatellite and the smallest ever to be flown in space (at less than 500g).

The space sector’s value to life on earth cannot be underestimated. Satellites that orbit our planet provide the most accurate location data, weather reports, and predict storms. They monitor our climate, all day every day, providing valuable data on climate change and its effects, such as rising sea levels, wildfires, and atmospheric changes. They connect millions of people and can connect countless more who lack access in isolated areas; they help us identify and prevent illegal fishing and deforestation and help to ensure the security of states by monitoring and verifying actors’ behavior. 

Finland is already a leader in ground-breaking digitalization, connectivity, the real-time data economy, AI, smart cities, and smart mobility innovations. Thanks to its world-class research capabilities, technology expertise, and accommodating business climate, it is now supporting, funding, and developing innovative businesses to significantly accelerate the New Space Economy in the coming years.

“Finnish people have a connection with nature, which is rooted in our culture – it is intrinsic for us to respect the planet and keep it clean. That’s why we are using our expertise and knowledge to create New Space Technology and innovations that put sustainability at the heart of everything we do and push the frontiers of our understanding of health and material science, robotics, and other technologies,” said Markus Ranne, Head of New Space Economy, Business Finland.

Ranne continues, “Finland is committed to bringing new space companies and non-space companies together to create business opportunities and change the way of working. Taking care of space is critical for our life on earth. Only through collaboration and global partnerships can we develop technologies and innovations that will help ensure this precious resource is secured for future generations.” 

Following the Space Tech Expo Europe in Bremen, Germany, on 16-18 November, Finland calls upon start-ups operating in the New Space Economy to join its mission to develop technologies and innovations that will help businesses, societies, and countries reach their climate change goals and challenges. 

Read More:

Finnish companies are now seeking new partners for cross-border business development and want to collaborate with British companies to develop Europe’s digital and sustainable future. Finland offers a stable business environment for start-ups and international businesses: highly educated and tech-savvy talent, stable infrastructure for testing, and the best know-how in digital technologies. The country has also been voted the happiest globally and offers attractive work opportunities and a high quality of life.

Click here to discover more of our podcasts

For more news from Top Business Tech, don’t forget to subscribe to our daily bulletin!

Follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter

Birmingham Unveils the UK’s Best Emerging HealthTech Advances

Kosta Mavroulakis • 03rd April 2025

The National HealthTech Series hosted its latest event in Birmingham this month, showcasing innovative startups driving advanced health technology, including AI-assisted diagnostics, wearable devices and revolutionary educational tools for healthcare professionals. Health stakeholders drawn from the NHS, universities, industry and front-line patient care met with new and emerging businesses to define the future trajectory of...

Why DEIB is Imperative to Tech’s Future

Hadas Almog from AppsFlyer • 17th March 2025

We’ve been seeing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) initiatives being cut time and time again throughout the tech industry. DEIB dedicated roles have been eliminated, employee resource groups have lost funding, and initiatives once considered crucial have been deprioritised in favour of “more immediate business needs.” The justification for these cuts is often the...

The need to eradicate platform dependence

Sue Azari • 10th March 2025

The advertising industry is undergoing a seismic shift. Connected TV (CTV), Retail Media Networks (RMNs), and omnichannel strategies are rapidly redefining how brands engage with consumers. As digital privacy regulations evolve and platform dynamics shift, advertisers must recognise a fundamental truth. You cannot build a sustainable business on borrowed ground. The recent uncertainty surrounding TikTok...

The need to clean data for effective insight

David Sheldrake • 05th March 2025

There is more data today than ever before. In fact, the total amount of data created, captured, copied, and consumed globally has now reached an incredible 149 zettabytes. The growth of the big mountain is not expected to slow down, either, with it expected to reach almost 400 zettabytes within the next three years. Whilst...

What can be done to democratize VDI?

Dennis Damen • 05th March 2025

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) offers businesses enhanced security, scalability, and compliance, yet it remains a niche technology. One of the biggest barriers to widespread adoption is a severe talent gap. Many IT professionals lack hands-on VDI experience, as their careers begin with physical machines and increasingly shift toward cloud-based services. This shortage has created a...

Tech and Business Outlook: US Confident, European Sentiment Mixed

Viva Technology • 11th February 2025

The VivaTech Confidence Barometer, now in its second edition, reveals strong confidence among tech executives regarding the impact of emerging technologies on business competitiveness, particularly AI, which is expected to have the most significant impact in the near future. Surveying tech leaders from Europe and North America, 81% recognize their companies as competitive internationally, with...