The Finnish Astronautical Society 60th Anniversary Celebrations

Paper number

IAC-19,E1,9,12,x51154

Author

Mr. Axel Straschnoy, Finland, Suomen Avaruustutkimusseura - Finnish Astronautical Society

Year

2019

Abstract

In the immediate post-war, during the space race between the USSR and the USA, numerous space programmes appeared around the globe, ranging from state-sponsored ones to the work of inspired individuals. While minor in comparison with the Apollo or Soyuz programmes, they provide an insight into how space exploration was perceived at the time.

Finland’s space-faring plans began in 1959 with four inspired teenagers who dreamt of building a rocket of their own and flying it to space. They started from scratch: looking for fuel formulas in books at the US library in Helsinki, setting up an amateur lab where to produce it, performing countless tests, fabricating tools, and calculating rocket trajectories by hand over very long weekends. Slowly, others joined them. Their society, the Finnish Astronautical Society, was one of the IAF´s early members and is still a member today. However, university students’ spare cash and free time was not enough, and none of their rockets ever got to space.

The society still exists today. It continues to be the place for people interested in space and space-faring and lobbies the Finnish government to dedicate more resources to astronautics. Its main activity is organising model rocket launches. 

In a world of spectacular missions, the history of the Finnish Astronautical Society is a marginal one.  However, understanding the history of space exploration demands that we look as well to the minor players, their dreams and their achievements. In a world where still only a handful of countries have the capability to launch rockets into space, the Society’s history is a shared one.

This paper presents the historical documentation and outreach work we have undertaken to commemorate the Society’s 60 anniversary. After two years of research on its history, the collected material was edited into a 25 minutes artist film—the first document on the history of space exploration in Finland—that is touring exhibition spaces in Finland, Argentina and Israel. Throughout 2019, the society’s journal has been running a series of historical articles by early members. Finally, we organised a public celebration for the anniversary, inviting local audiences to join us, with the objective of making the Society known in the country and as a testament to those eager kids who 60 years ago hoped to fly to space.

Abstract document

IAC-19,E1,9,12,x51154.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-19,E1,9,12,x51154.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.