SGAC Sweden

National Points of Contact
Sweden
Liselott Strand	Christian Olsson
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The launch of the small rocket Plutnik in 1961 marked the beginning of the Swedish space age. Since then, Sweden has hadan important part of the space industry with satellites such as Viking, Freja, Astrid 1 and 2, Odin, and the recently launched Prisma. The main objective of Prisma is to demonstrate high precision autonomous formation flight in space, introducing a new technology necessary for future European missions.

The Swedish Institute of Space Physics (IRF) is a governmental research institute which conducts research and postgraduate education in atmospheric physics, space physics and space technology. Measurements are made in the atmosphere, ionosphere, magnetosphere and around other planets with the help of ground-based equipment (including radar), stratospheric balloons and satellites. IRF was established (as Kiruna Geophysical Observatory) in 1957 and its first satellite instrument was launched in 1968. It has participated with instruments on the Swedish satellites Viking, Freja, Astrid 1, Astrid 2, Munin and Prisma, as well as on many international satellite missions.

Another good example of Swedish space activities is Esrange Space Center which was founded in 1966. With over 40 years of experience and a unique landing environment of 5200 square kilometers in the northern part of Sweden, Esrange offers an exclusive opportunity for atmospheric sciences and micro gravitational research. It is one of the busiest civilian satellite ground stations and over 500 rockets have been launched since the founding. Esrange Space Center is a part of the Swedish Space Corporation, SSC. Sweden is also member of the European Space Agency, ESA, since it was founded in 1972. Sweden even has its own astronaut, Christer Fuglesang who has spent 26 days in space. He has flown two missions to the International Space Station, ISS and with 32 hours of spacewalk he is the most experienced astronaut of ESA.

Hopefully Sweden will continue to contribute to the space industry in the future through the new generation. Join us and help us spread enthusiasm for space!

Young Space Activities Overview in Sweden

Since Sweden is a member of ESA, there are a lot of space related opportunities for the youth in Sweden through ESA. One example is the REXUS/BEXUS programs (rocket- or balloon-borne experiments for university students), which offers students across Europe to carry out scientific and technological experiments. Each year two rockets and two balloons are launched from Esrange Space Center. These programs are realized under an agency agreement between The German Aerospace Center (DLR), SSC and ESA.

There are numerous institutions, universities and observatories in Sweden that offers annual events, lectures, meetings and space related activities for schools. For more information, see the links below.

Country-Specific Events in 2012

• Student Rocket Week at Esrange Space Center (February): During this week the European students participating in the REXUS program are preparing their experiments for a flight from Esrange Space Center, which will take place in the beginning of 2012.
• SpaceOps 2012, Stockholm (11-15^th June): SpaceOps is a unique international conference. This is the event to meet experts, scientists and technologists from all over the world, with a mutual interest – space operations and related activities.
• Gothenburg Science Festival (25-29^th April):With hundreds of activities and over 100,000 visitors The International Science Festival in Gothenburg is one of Europe’s leading popular science events and the only one of its kind in Sweden.
• Student Balloon Week at Esrange Space Center (October): During this week the European students participating in the BEXUS program are preparing their experiments for a flight from Esrange Space Center, which will take place in the beginning of October 2012.
• 39th European Physical Society Conference on Plasma Physics jointly with 16th International Congress on Plasma Physics (2-6^th July): Space and Plasma Physics, KTH, will act as the local organizers for the 39th European Physical Society Conference on Plasma Physics held jointly 16th International Congress on Plasma Physics. The venue is Stockholm Waterfront Congress Centre. Up to 1000 delegates are expected.

Interesting Web Links for the Young Generation in Sweden

Groups, People, Institutions

Swedish Space Corporation
Swedish National Space Board (Blog)
Swedish Institute of Space Physics (Institutet för rymdfysik, IRF)
REXUS/BEXUS website
Swedish Amateur Astronomical Society
Onsala Observatory
AlbaNova Science Center
European Space Agency
Popular Astronomy Magazine
RUAG Space AB
Volvo Aero
Museum of Technology in Stockholm
Universeum in Gothenburg
Cosmonova in Stockholm

Studies

Masters program in Space Engineering, Luleå University of Technologly
Space Master
Masters program in Radio and Space Science, Chalmers University of Technology
Masters program in Aerospace Engineering, Royal Institute of Technology
Masters Program in Astronomy, University of Stockholm
Astronomy, University of Uppsala
Masters program in Astrophysics, University of Lund:
Senior High School of Space