Kitsat is a fully functional satellite
Kitsat is a fully functional one-unit CubeSat, specifically made for educational use with earthly components, which make the purchase price affordable.
CubeSat format is used by hundreds of universities and companies around the world. CubeSats are the core of the New Space economy that is changing the way we use and access space.
Kitsat is an iteration of the Suomi 100 Satellite that has been gathering data about the space weather in orbit since 2018. The best way to learn future skills and to be acquainted with space technology is to do it with the real stuff.
Suomi 100 Satellite seen before integration to launch pod in 2018.
Kitsat is versatile
Just seeing a satellite is sometimes important because most of people have not realised how small the satellites can be.
Seeing inside and having a hands-on experience with a satellite are the next steps. The users can build the satellite themselves and learn about the basic parts of the satellite at the same time. Therefore Kitsat can be assembled and dismantled easily. The parts are robust, clearly marked and interchangeable.
As Kitsat also functions like spaceworthy satellites, the users can command it and pick up the basics of the satellite operations.
Kitsats used at Heureka Science Centre.
Kitsat wants to be brought out to the wild from the classrooms. It can be flown with a drone or sent to the stratosphere with a meteorological balloon. The satellite has a camera and a suite of environmental sensors for observations and measurements during a flight.
Kitsat is also available as a kit – from where the name is originating – for users who want to build the whole satellite, not just assemble the ready-made parts. Building and flying a satellite is the ultimate challenge.
Kitsat had a flight from Lapland on the summer solstice 2020 with the magical midnight Sun.
Next step: space. The basic version of Kitsat has parts that are not made for a space flight, but these can be upgraded easily. If you need a low-cost satellite platform, just contact us!
Kitsat system
We support educators and teachers using Kitsat with Kitsat Spaceplace. It is an extensive library of materials, which help teachers in education. These documents can be downloaded from the Kitsat Spaceplace server. The site also has spacey articles and news everyone can enjoy, a discussion board for sharing experiences, as well as a product support page.
The Kitsat educational material is made to meet the standards of the highly reputed Finnish educational system.
Simple and inexpensive
Kitsat's main computer is similar to modern mobile phones. It has more than enough memory for normal use and is equipped with a full suite of sensors, including accelerometers, gyroscopes, GPS and temperature. It also has air quality and pressure sensors that are not so vital in space, but which provide interesting information here on Earth.
The camera can be used also for near-infrared observations – making simple remote sensing demonstrations also possible.
The Kitsat system includes already now space parts and additional items, like a Yagi antenna. An upgraded power system and the battery is also available; this is useful, especially for stratospheric flights. More items will be introduced soon.
Kitsat satellites and accessories are designed and assembled in Finland.
Tested & ready for use
Kitsat was developed by engineers from the Aalto University CubeSat projects as a spinoff for outreach and educational purposes. The first iteration of the satellite was built in a mobile cleanroom around Finland during the tour of "Space Truck", a small New Space -themed mobile science centre.
This activity turned out to be extremely popular and fun.
The further versions of the satellite were tested with the Heureka Science Centre with school groups and during the summer camps.
In addition to space education, the Kitsat system can be used in all STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) subjects. It is really a multipurpose tool with everything from simple hands-on space technology learning to machine learning experiments.
Read more about Kitsat here or check the full technical specifications.