Aalto-1 sends its first photo from space

The first Finnish satellite Aalto-1, launched in mid-2016, has sent its first photo to Earth, said the Alto University in press release on Monday.

The photo taken by an imaging spectrometer developed by the Technical Research Centre of Finland (VTT) shows the coastline of Norway and Denmark from an altitude of about 500 kilometres.

“We have found that most of the devices of the satellite are functioning. It will be capturing data and images for several months or perhaps an entire year,” said Jaan Praaks, director of the satellite project.

VTT researcher Antti Näsilä said the first photo proves that the system is working according to the plan.

Launched in June 2016, the satellite took Finnish high technology to space. For example, a spectral camera developed by the VTT is using environmental remote sensing at 600 kilometres above the earth to be used for monitoring changes in the oceans, vegetation, and forests.

The satellite is designated to orbit Earth for about two years. Afterwards, an electrostatic plasma brake developed by the Finnish Meteorological Institute will slow down the satellite, which will then return to the atmospheric ring completing its tasks.