Since the spring of 2022, a film crew has been capturing the journey of the ESTCube-2 team, showcasing the project’s milestones and the people driving it forward. The filming process included in-depth interviews with team members, President Alar Karis, representatives from the European Space Agency, and even astronaut Matthias Maurer. The crew also traveled to French Guiana, Kourou, to document the satellite’s launch.
Photo: Evelin Palu
While the original vision for the documentary evolved over time and many are familiar with the final outcome, the film remains a remarkable opportunity to meet the talented individuals behind the ESTCube-2 mission. The team is now working on the next satellite, ESTCube-3, which includes the same people who worked on ESTCube-2 during the final years.
The documentary “ESTCube-2.X: Ten Years to the Stars” tells the story of the trials and tribulations faced during the development of Estonia’s biggest and most scientifical satellite due date.
Constant changes in plans, the surreal COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain issues for construction parts, endless launch delays, and countless minor setbacks turned years of work into a true test of patience. However, the determination of a team composed mostly of young students to take their project to the stars left no room for the satellite with its critical mission to remain incomplete. ESTCube-2 was finally completed, but as it departed from Earth, fate had yet another surprise in store for the cube satellite.
Challenges, however, make one stronger. Despite all the hardships and the unexpected ending, nothing can take away the invaluable experience these young geniuses gained, enabling them to push the boundaries of science even further in the future. These young visionaries proved that with unwavering dedication to a goal, world-class science can be achieved even in a small country like Estonia, inspiring generations to come.
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