Finnish Meteorological Institute and University of Oulu will increase space research activities and intensify co-operation with the Sodankylä Space Campus.
As a first practical measure to deepen their cooperation, the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) and the University of Oulu have agreed to fund a new joint venture for the Sodankylä space camp during 2018. A new professor will be recruited internationally for a period of five years or permanently for the Sodankylä space campus, which houses the Arctic Space Centre of the Finnish Meteorological Institute and the Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory (SGO)..
Esa Turunen, Head of the Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory, says that the influence of space-based phenomena on atmospheric chemistry is one of the central research topics in Sodankylä.
These interaction processes are studied through extensive computer modelling, satellite analysis and measurements. The space campus will be set up to establish an observation network that can measure the amount of mesosphere ozone in Finland. An observation network will also be created for satellite tomography measurements. They will provide a three-dimensional picture of the free electrons of the upper atmosphere.
Jouni Pulliainen, Director of the Space and Earth Observation Centre at the Finnish Meteorological Institute, emphasizes the development of the satellite earth station in the Arctic Space Centre as an integral part of the Finnish space strategy. The space mission of the Finnish Meteorological Institute focuses on the utilization of remote sensing and weather satellites, as well as the space exploration of Earth and other planetary gas processes. "Sodankylä also provides satellite data, products and infrastructure for business users on the basis of Public-Private-Partnerships," Jouni Pulliainen notes.
Photo: (c) Matias Takala, FMI