Opened in 1966, the ESRANGE Space Center is located in Jukkasjärvi, near Kiruna, and operated by the Swedish Space Agency. It is used for probe and sounding rocket flights, scientific experiments and hardware testing. It also offers commercial space launch services . Its unique geographical location enables unique research in the polar regions, and offers safe drop zones for instrument recovery after flights.
Although the area is closed to the public, there is a small museum at the entrance to the site, soberly entitled Visitor Center. Inside, you can learn all about the activities of the ESRANGE Space Center and, if you’re lucky, see a probe being launched into space.
Practical information about Esrange space center
To help you prepare for your visit, here’s all the information you need to know about the ESRANGE Space Center.
Price?
The ESRANGE Space Center museum is open to the public free of charge.
Although there may not be anyone at the museum reception desk, you can still come in and enjoy the exhibition.
Opening hours
The ESRANGE Space Center Visitor Center is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day.
Inside, you’ll have access to hot drinks and a few sweets, so you can take a fika break and warm up when you arrive.
Visit duration
Allow around half an hour to visit this small museum dedicated to the activities of the space site. You’ll have access to headsets on some panels to give you more detailed explanations.
If, on the other hand, you’d like to take a guided tour of the premises and enjoy a visit to the launch pad and site in addition to the museum, try asking at the Kiruna tourist office or contacting the Swedish Space Center by e-mail.
How do I get to the Esrange Space Center?
The ESRANGE Space Center is located 40 kilometers east of Kiruna.
To get there, the only way is to drive towards Jukkasjärvi, via the E10, then continue on the only main road heading east. The rest is well signposted and you’ll arrive at your destination without a hitch.
Even in the event of snowfall, the roads are perfectly passable, so you won’t have to worry about whether or not you can get there.
The esrange space center museum
Although most of the ESRANGE Space Center is off-limits to the public, a small museum has been set up to enable visitors interested in space exploration to learn more about the launch station.
This Visitor Center offers tourists a unique opportunity to discover the activities of the Swedish space agency. Although the tour is short, there’s plenty to see.
Interactive exhibits
The visitor center features interactive panels that enable visitors to learn more about space exploration, research missions and the technologies used. You can discover the history of Swedish space exploration and find out more about the various missions carried out since ESRANGE.
Guided tours
Guided tours are organized to enable visitors to discover the space center’s facilities. These tours can include areas such as the launch control room, satellite tracking facilities and payload preparation areas.
Did you know? It’s a unique experience, as the ESRANGE Space Center is the only space base partially open to the public. For more information, visit the Kiruna Tourist Center.
Observations of launches
If you’re lucky, you can watch a rocket launch from the ESRANGE Space Center. Launches are usually announced in advance, but it’s always a good idea to check the website for dates and times before planning your visit.
It is important to note that the ESRANGE Space Center is an operational site where research and launch activities are regularly carried out.
Consequently, the availability of tours and launches may vary according to the activities in progress. Please contact the Kiruna Tourist Center in advance for up-to-date information on scheduled tours and events.
History of the site
Created in 1964 by the Swedish Space Agency, ESRANGE, an acronym for European Spaceresearch RANGE, is used for a variety of space research and development activities, including scientific experiments, hardware tests and test flights.
Installation
The ESRANGE site has several facilities, including launch pads, monitoring and control infrastructures, and laboratories.
It also has a range of sounding rockets of different sizes, from small single-stage sounding rockets to larger multi-stage sounding rockets capable of carrying larger payloads.
Experiments at the Esrange Space Center
ESRANGE is used to carry out scientific experiments in various fields, such as the study of the atmosphere, space physics, geophysics and space technology.
Probe and sounding rocket flights enable researchers to take measurements and collect data in specific environments and at specific altitudes, helping to advance knowledge in these fields.
Private services
In addition to its research activities, ESRANGE also offers commercial services, such as small satellite launches and research campaigns for private customers.
This gives both national and international organizations access to launch infrastructure and space flight expertise.
Its location
ESRANGE’sgeographical location in northern Sweden offers several advantages for space operations. Its proximity to the polar regions enables unique observations and measurements, notably for studies of the aurora borealis, the magnetosphere and space weather.
What’s more, the Nordic zone offers a wide range of safe drop zones for payloads, enabling research instruments to be recovered after flights.
This article is now complete, and you should know more about this museum. By visiting the ESRANGE Space Center, you’ll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the exciting world of space exploration, and see up close the facilities used for research and rocket launches in Sweden.
