Recently, we sat down with our interns to talk about their experience at Kuva Space. We wanted to hear what surprised them, what they have learned so far, and what everyday life at Kuva Space has actually felt like.

Their answers differed in details, but a few common themes kept popping up: steep learning curves, real responsibility, exciting space and deep-tech topics, memorable field campaigns, and a work culture that makes people feel welcome from day one.

In short, our interns feel they can make a real contribution to our mission and not just quietly observe from the sidelines.

Learning fast, growing faster

One thing many interns mention is the responsibility and trust they are given from the start, and how much they can learn by doing.

“I was really surprised that already from day one I got tasks in a real satellite project! I thought I would be first learning something more theoretical”, our Satellite Software Development Intern Sidrah Rahim says.

Our Data Science Intern Joel Rautio has also been impressed by how much he has been able to do as an intern. He describes the experience as “challenging, in a good way,” adding that he had to “learn a lot in a short amount of time.”

For Bastian Meier, our Business Development Intern, that challenge came in the form of ownership over a specific task. He has been working on a go-to-market strategy for an ongoing partner project between Kuva Space and GeoVille.

“I have enjoyed the freedom and responsibility to figure many things out myself. This has been great for me since I would hate it if I felt like just a ‘little wheel in the cog.’”

Real space tech, real data, real impact

From hyperspectral imaging and AI to satellite software and ESA projects, interns at Kuva Space get a front-row seat to technology that is both advanced and meaningful. And let’s be honest: there is something pretty exciting about interning at a space company.

“I have learned a lot about how to work in a real company and with real data. I get to work with the client’s real needs, and not just do theoretical exercises”, our AI and Machine Learning Intern Anna Piccinini says.

That sense of real-world relevance shows up in many different roles. Sidrah is working with an Automatic Identification System used by ships, helping translate radio-based signals into useful data. Bastian has contributed to ESA-related work through the CSS Smart Connect project, which connects satellite data for civil security use cases such as environmental disasters.

And even for interns who do not come from a highly technical background, the exposure to deep-tech topics has been a highlight. As Bastian says, “One of the most interesting things I learned is that a satellite in space can be adjusted with very high precision, to within 0.3 nanometers.”

Where the data gets real: field campaigns

The most memorable part of the experience for several interns has been getting out of the office and into the field.

Anna describes Kuva Space’s field campaigns as one of the coolest parts of her internship: “Taking part in field campaigns has been incredible. It’s great to work with the data actually being acquired.”

These campaigns involve real-world data collection and testing, using a drone equipped with a hyperspectral sensor to measure crops, forests, or industrial sites. Anna has been using a ground spectrometer during these campaigns, helping validate drone and satellite data.

Valtteri Pitkänen, Remote Sensing Intern, shares a similar experience. After analyzing data, he also got to help assemble the drone and take part in data acquisition himself.

“It’s nice to be part of acquiring the data and see the whole process,” he says.

That full-picture view leaves a lasting impression with our interns. It is one thing to work with data on a screen. It is another thing entirely to see where it comes from, how it is captured, and what it takes to make it usable.

A culture that makes people feel at home

Across all the interviews, one theme comes through especially clearly: the people. Our interns describe the people of Kuva Space as warm, open, supportive, and easy to approach.

For Anna, one of the biggest surprises was the culture itself. “How warm the work environment and culture is,” she says. “Everybody knows each other here, and it’s easy to communicate and talk to everybody.”

That openness has stood out especially for interns who have previously worked in larger organizations. Sidrah notes that Kuva Space combines fast-moving ways of working with a strong sense of quality, while also making people feel included and respected.

“It has been amazing working here, and my co-workers have been the most welcoming”, says Henrik Koskinen, our Data Science Intern, who also really appreciates the flexibility Kuva Space has offered to him so he can advance in his studies while also working remotely during his internship.

Sometimes, it is the smaller everyday moments that say the most. As Anna puts it: “Coffee breaks with people are the best part of my day here.”

That sense of belonging creates an environment where interns can ask questions, learn across disciplines, and feel like genuine members of the team rather than just temporary extra hands.