The Suomi 100 satellite, which was built to celebrate Finland’s centennial, will be launched into orbit in mid-November, according to Aalto University.
The satellite was built by the university and the Finnish Meteorological Institute, and will research space weather and auroras. It is also fitted with a camera for taking orbital imagery.
Originally, the satellite was scheduled to launch last year when Finland celebrated its centenary. However, problems with the Indian PSLV launcher meant that the launch could not take place during the year of celebrations, Aalto University said in a press release.
The satellite has now been transferred to SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and will share the ride to space with 100 other small satellites from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.
“It was a real pity for us and the Finland 100 celebrations that the launch was delayed until this year. But now we get to commemorate the anniversary afterwards,” said Esa Kallio from the university.
Finland's first satellite, the Aalto-1, was launched in the summer of 2017.