# Finland to set up military space operations centre at Tikkakoski

- Source: Nordic Defence Sector (https://nordicdefencesector.com)
- Canonical URL: https://nordicdefencesector.com/en/article/finland-to-set-up-military-space-operations-centre-at-tikkakoski
- Published: 2026-10-30
- Author: Daniel Trangeled
- Type: News · Section: Space · Country: finland
- Language: en (original)
- Also available in: de (https://nordicdefencesector.com/de/article/finland-to-set-up-military-space-operations-centre-at-tikkakoski.md), dk (https://nordicdefencesector.com/dk/article/finland-to-set-up-military-space-operations-centre-at-tikkakoski.md), es (https://nordicdefencesector.com/es/article/finland-to-set-up-military-space-operations-centre-at-tikkakoski.md), fi (https://nordicdefencesector.com/fi/article/finland-to-set-up-military-space-operations-centre-at-tikkakoski.md), fr (https://nordicdefencesector.com/fr/article/finland-to-set-up-military-space-operations-centre-at-tikkakoski.md), it (https://nordicdefencesector.com/it/article/finland-to-set-up-military-space-operations-centre-at-tikkakoski.md), no (https://nordicdefencesector.com/no/article/finland-to-set-up-military-space-operations-centre-at-tikkakoski.md), pl (https://nordicdefencesector.com/pl/article/finland-to-set-up-military-space-operations-centre-at-tikkakoski.md), sv (https://nordicdefencesector.com/sv/article/finland-to-set-up-military-space-operations-centre-at-tikkakoski.md)
- Primary source: https://ilmavoimat.fi/-/avaruusoperaatiokeskus-perustetaan-ilmavoimien-esikunnan-yhteyteen
- Tags: finnish defence forces, finnish air force, ministry of defence finland, iceye, sar, space operations centre, nato, finland, finnish meteorological institute, tikkakoski

> Finland's Defence Minister has approved the establishment of a Space Operations Centre at Air Force Command in Tikkakoski, set to launch on 1 January 2027 to manage military space situational awareness and capabilities. The Defence Forces are set to take over operation of three ICEYE SAR satellites from April 2027.

![Earth from Space (Genre picture)](https://imagedelivery.net/XO8UY-c6-LfWgEjQsN8IQw/2a33e0d0-9d77-4b28-9fdf-8bff223b1b00/public)
*Earth from Space (Genre picture) · DLR German Aerospace Center / Wikimedia Commons*

**Finnish Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen [has decided](https://ilmavoimat.fi/-/avaruusoperaatiokeskus-perustetaan-ilmavoimien-esikunnan-yhteyteen) to set up a Space Operations Centre at Air Force Command in Tikkakoski, near Jyväskylä. It is scheduled to start operating on 1 January 2027.**

The Finnish Air Force says the centre will be the national command element for space defence. It will produce a military space situational picture together with the civilian space situation centre at the Finnish Meteorological Institute. It will also coordinate with allies and partners, and plan and operate the Defence Forces’ own space capabilities.

About 20 military and civilian specialists will transfer to the centre from within the Defence Forces. [According to](https://defmin.fi/sv/-/forsvarsminister-hakkanen-forsvarsmaktens-rymdoperationscenter-inrattas-i-tikkakoski#f0b7371c) the Ministry of Defence, staffing will grow over the coming years.

From 1 April 2027, the Defence Forces will take over operation of the three ICEYE SAR satellites [ordered](https://nordicdefencesector.com/en/article/finland-purchases-radar-satellites-from-iceye) in September 2025, as previously reported by NDS. Until then, ICEYE operates them under the contract. The satellites were launched in 2025 and 2026.

The ministry calls the centre one of the first concrete steps under a defence space strategy. Work on the strategy is nearing completion.

## FAQ

**When will Finland's Space Operations Centre at Tikkakoski become operational?**

Finnish Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen has decided to establish the Space Operations Centre at Air Force Command in Tikkakoski, near Jyväskylä, with operations scheduled to begin on 1 January 2027. About 20 specialists will transfer to the centre from within the Defence Forces. Last fact-checked: 2026-10-30.

**What will the Space Operations Centre at Air Force Command be responsible for?**

The centre will serve as the national command element for space defence, producing a military space situational picture alongside the civilian space situation centre at the Finnish Meteorological Institute. It will also coordinate with allies and partners and plan and operate the Defence Forces' own space capabilities. Last fact-checked: 2026-10-30.

**Which satellites will the Defence Forces take over operating in 2027?**

From 1 April 2027, the Defence Forces will take over operation of the three ICEYE SAR satellites ordered in September 2025, which were launched in 2025 and 2026. Until that date, ICEYE continues operating them under the existing contract. Last fact-checked: 2026-10-30.

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