Esilähtö

Esilähtö is a Finnish term that denotes the preparatory phase preceding the actual start of a process, project, or event. Literally formed from esi- (“before”) and lähtö (“start” or “departure”), it is used in technical, organizational, and sometimes media contexts to describe activities that ensure readiness before the main launch.

The term is applied across several fields with slightly different emphases. In technology, esilähtö refers to pre-launch activities such as planning, resource allocation, risk assessment, and system checks that prepare a deployment or rollout. In aviation and spaceflight, esilähtö corresponds to the preflight or prelaunch phase, including readiness reviews, weather considerations, fueling plans, and countdown procedures. In product development and project management, it covers go/no-go decisions, rehearsals, and checks that determine whether the project is ready to proceed.

Typical esilähtö activities involve clarifying objectives, confirming resources and responsibilities, conducting risk assessments, performing tests or simulations, and obtaining necessary approvals. The goal is to reduce uncertainties, ensure safety and reliability, and improve the likelihood of a smooth main start.

The term is sometimes used alongside related Finnish expressions such as esivalmistelut (preparations) or esirekisteri (pre-event checklist), though its precise meaning depends on the industry. In English-language contexts, esilähtö is commonly translated as “pre-launch” or “preflight,” reflecting its focus on readiness rather than the start itself.

See also: pre-launch, preflight, countdown, go/no-go decision.