[Editor’s note: Kuva Space was previously known as Reaktor Space Lab from the formation of the company in April 2016 until the end of September of 2021. This blog post was written before the Kuva Space brand renewal.]
From the initial idea in 2016, it took two years to finish the Reaktor Hello World satellite. It is said, that a picture tells more than a thousand words, so here are some of the highlights of the first iteration of the Hello World platform.
RSL founded 04/2016
Reaktor Space Lab was established in April 2016 in the previous premises of the Aalto University space laboratory, home of the first Finnish satellites. RSL has since moved into larger premises and is going to relocate again in Spring 2019 to newly renovated office.
First version of Reaktor groundstation, 05/2016
The first Reaktor ground station under construction in Helsinki City Center. The first step in building CubeSats is to listen to existing satellites already in orbit.
System level prototyping of the satellite 02/2017
Test often, test early. The idea is to test subsystems integrated to full system from the very beginning of the development. In the photo: Testing of the power system and radio prototypes
First version of fully assembled satellite, 04/2017
Preparing for vibration testing. Reaktor's Juha-Matti Liukkonen (above) discussing the details of the Reaktor Hello World satellite Engineering Model with RSL's CTO Janne Kuhno
Testing of the flight model, 03/2018
Reaktor Hello World flight model being integrated into the vacuum test chamber
Second iteration of Reaktor groundstation, 04/2018
Second generation groundstation on the rooftop of Porthania building, Helsinki
Flight model packed & ready for delivery, 06/2018
Hello World flight model ready for shipping to it's final destination on Earth