NorthBase: satellite ground infrastructure in the stability of Finnish Lapland
Few locations match Finnish Lapland in providing the geographic and operational conditions for satellite communications. NorthBase is building on these advantages to develop secure ground stations for satellite operators.
Every satellite depends on reliable communication with ground systems to receive commands and transmit data. As the number of satellites in orbit grows, so does the need for secure ground stations. Space systems serve as critical infrastructure for civilian, commercial and military use.
This is where NorthBase comes in. The startup operates ground stations in Finnish Lapland, where satellites on polar orbit pass overhead far more often than they do at lower latitudes. This enables NorthBase to provide frequent uplink and downlink communications from one of Europe’s most trusted locations.
“Satellites pass over the poles many more times than they pass over regions closer to the equator. Arctic ground stations are thus essential,” says NorthBase founder Dr. Tommi Rasila. “Finland is a very good place for this infrastructure, as we have political stability, dependable energy and the knowledge to operate these systems.”
NorthBase’s main site is near the town of Muonio, at around 68 degrees north. Here the company’s ground station is equipped with a 3.9-metre tracking antenna that supports frequent communication windows. The site is designed to remain operational under all conditions. Grid power is backed up by batteries and a biodiesel generator, while solar panels provide supplemental energy during the Arctic summer.
A new approach for Finland
Neighbouring Sweden and Norway have long operated satellite ground stations that are state-owned. NorthBase is taking a different approach: it’s the first privately owned ground station services company operating in the Nordics.
As no comparable commercial operators existed in Finland, the company had to contend with a prolonged regulatory process. Its license was eventually granted in early 2025, clearing the way for commercial operations. Since then, NorthBase has moved quickly to establish what it calls Ground Station as a Service, or ‘GSaaS’.
“Customers pay for access and time, rather than needing to build and maintain their own infrastructure. This model allows satellite operators to focus on their payloads, data and applications,” explains Rasila.
NorthBase’s customers include commercial satellite operators, research institutions and public-sector actors. The company is fully Finnish-owned; a deliberate choice at a time when infrastructure control is increasingly under scrutiny.
“Ownership matters when you operate critical infrastructure linked to national security. We’ve chosen to grow in a way that keeps control in the EU,” says Rasila.
Scaling trusted European infrastructure
NorthBase’s approach to European sovereignty aligns closely with the goals of the European Space Agency Business Incubation Centre network (ESA BIC). The company joined ESA BIC Finland in 2024, receiving both funding support and business development guidance.
“ESA BIC helped us to professionalize at the right moment. The organization brought us structure and credibility,” notes Rasila.
Through partnerships across the EU, USA, Japan and Korea, the company offers access to roughly 100 ground stations worldwide. This network enables customers to maintain continuous global satellite coverage.
To support its expansion, NorthBase is now preparing a new funding round. The investment will be used to deploy additional antennas and expand capacity in response to growing demand from commercial and institutional operators.
“Each new satellite increases the need for ground infrastructure. Uplink and downlink capacity is critical in the space economy,” Rasila reflects. “Satellites may get the headlines, but the whole system depends on reliable ground communications. That’s the role we’re here to play.”
- More about NorthBase: northbase.fi
- More about ESA BIC Finalnd: esabic.fi
About ESA BIC Finland ESA BIC Finland, coordinated by the Aalto University Startup Center, is a business incubator that propels space-related entrepreneurial ventures through strategic support, networking, and funding.
