ABOUT US

AURORA PROPULSION TECHNOLOGIES WAS FOUNDED IN 2018. IN EARLY 2019 WE JOINED EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY BUSINESS INCUBATOR CENTRE PROGRAMME (ESA BIC FINLAND) IN OTANIEMI. IN 2023 WE WERE ACCEPTED BY EUROPEAN INNOVATION COUNCIL (EIC) IN EIC ACCELERATOR 2022 PROGRAM.
Aurora’s team is a great match of youth and expertise with almost 300 years of expertise in:
  • Business management: track record in international business development, funding, research
  • Operational R&D: research, mass production and standardization, official industry processes, Software development, data security
  • SpaceTech & Micromechanics: Rocket engines, Plasma physics, Instrumentation, Micromechanics & space technology

LEADERS

PERTTU YLI-OPAS
CEO

Perttu’s background is in applied mathematics and high-performance software. He also has experience from working at Aalto Propulsion and Bell Labs. Perttu is a mathematician with a knack for building. He has experimented with micro propulsion systems and is one of the most experienced rocket propulsion experts in Finland. Perttu’s SW and algorithms are the backbone of Aurora Propulsion Technologies SW offering. He also has one granted patent, and two more pending. He has published four papers from the fields of propulsion and artificial intelligence.

KARI MÄKINIEMI
Project & program manager

Kari is a MSc. (Technology) in medical engineering and nuclear and energy technology. He has over 30 years of experience on project and program management for product development, mainly in highly regulated medical device industry. In his role he ensures uniform project management practices for all development projects aligned with Quality Management System.

ANNINA KASVI
Operations specialist

Management assistant, enabler of the success of others. Experienced in project management, leadership, customer service and managing operations.

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THE TEAM BEHIND THE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

A diverse team which includes expertise from micromechanics, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, software design, physics, mathematics and academic research. Many of our team members are also space hobbyists with a passion in photography, rocket engines and plasma physics.
Our ambition to grow can be seen in our hiring practices. Will you be our next team member? Check out our career page using the button below.

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CAREER PAGE

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ADVISORS & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

PASI KAITILA
Business Development of Services

TIMO MUSTONEN
Communications and sustainability

Timo is a MSc (Economics) in Management Accounting and Business Management. He has almost 20 years working experience from Nokia in Finance, Sales, Marketing, Supply chain, GTM, Project and Parthnerhip management, and Product, Process, Strategy and Business development. He has also several years experience in working as Project manager and Coach at AppCampus that was the biggest mobile accelerator in the world. Timo has recognized skills in Coaching, Change management, Execution of strategies, Building of relationships, Building of new businesses, Leading of cross-functional teams and Collaboration with customers & partners.

BOARD MEMBERS

ROOPE TAKALA
Chairman

Roope is a MSc. Mechanical engineering/mechatronics. He has over 20 year of experience in large project and program leadership in technology and his latest work was to kick-start the Nokia space program. He is also a seasoned business developer and strategist. He has founded 4 companies with three exits in addition to which he has worked with close to 50 start-ups as an advisor, or board member. Roope’s prior work includes roles in leading a large (+100 pers) research team in Nokia Research Center, Visiting Fellow at MIT, Mechanical design and simulations for CERN LHC magnets. Roope is a co-author/editor of two books, numerous scientific papers and holder of 9 patents.

PERTTU YLI-OPAS
CEO

Perttu’s background is in applied mathematics and high-performance software. He also has experience from working at Aalto Propulsion and Bell Labs. Perttu is a mathematician with a knack for building. He has experimented with micro propulsion systems and is one of the most experienced rocket propulsion experts in Finland. Perttu’s SW and algorithms are the backbone of Aurora Propulsion Technologies SW offering. He also has one granted patent, and two more pending. He has published four papers from the fields of propulsion and artificial intelligence.

PEKKA JANHUNEN
PhD, Inventor and Space physicist

Space physicist working at Finnish Meteorological Institute, inventor and leading expert of E-sail and plasma brake propulsion.

DONATAS KERAS
Investor and entrepreneur, founding partner at Practica Capital

Large experience in investment and board positions providing business focus and start up acceleration.

STEFAN WIDOMSKI
Investor and Advisor

Chairman of the Board at Nova Business Consulting Ltd.