The Sodankylä Observatory of Geophysics (SGO) has a history of over 100 years of research into the Northern Lights and the associated magnetic fluctuations in nearby space. The scientific and, in the case of Lapland, the commercial significance of this study has been known for a long time. In recent years it has also started to be understood more deeply about its social significance. Space storms caused by solar magnetic activity are recognised as one of the most significant national risks for our country, as published in the 2018 National Risk Assessment for Internal Security of the Ministry of the Interior. Finland’s recent satellite expertise has enabled Finland’s first satellites, new business activities and Finland’s development as an extraterrestrial state in recent years. As a result, a law on space operations was created in Finland, which defines, among other things, the sending of a space object into space and its operation. Finland’s satellite expertise is currently concentrated in southern Finland. On the basis of the implemented projects, satellite companies have emerged capable of providing technological solutions for space activities to an expanding customer base. Under the leadership of a team of experts hired in the EU in 2020, it is possible to take Lapland’s space know-how to a new level by starting Lappish space missions with the first satellites in Lapland. The goal is to offer solutions that benefit Lapland, Finland and ultimately the whole world. In this project we intend to build Lapland’s first satellite (LappiSat-1). The scientific payload of the satellite consists of Northern Lights and near-space magnetic change instruments, which are designed and constructed mainly in the EU, making use of the observatory’s long-term instrumental expertise. The satellite will be run by SGO, utilising the facilities, equipment and expertise of other partners in the project. These include mechanical and electronic engineering (Lapin Bachelor’s degree), space legislation (Lapin YO), stress tests and machining (companies). Another key aim is to create a pole of expertise in Lapland in a rapidly growing space technology sector. New talents are expected to be raised especially locally. In the LappiSat-1 project, the students of Lapland University of Applied Sciences can participate in the development work and use the work done as the thesis. Our business partners can tailor their services and know-how to better meet the needs of satellite technology. Where possible, Lappish operators are favoured in purchasing services. Our long-term goal is to start the LaplandSat programme. Once the first satellite is in orbit, the next steps have already been taken halfway. The first satellite will be followed by more Earth orbit satellites with more sophisticated instruments. In the near future, it will also be possible to build geophysical instruments based on the LappiSat programme that can fly with other satellites or probes to e.g. the Moon, asteroids and nearby planets.