Since the start in 1966, we have launched more than 500 sounding rockets and 550 stratospheric balloons from Esrange Space Center. In addition we provide the largest civil ground station for satellites in the world and Europe's largest overland test range for aerospace vehicles.
Location
Esrange Space Center is located in northern Sweden above the Arctic Circle at lat. 67° 53'N, long 21° 04'E. The town closest to the range is Sweden's principal mining town Kiruna, which is about half an hour away by car. Access to Kiruna is very good with several daily jet flight connections with Stockholm.
Find us
It started in 1966 with sounding rockets
In March 1964, ESRO (European Space Research Organisation) was founded by Belgium, Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, the United Kingdom, Sweden and Germany. The aim was to establish a co-ordinated scientific programme for peaceful space research, combined with advanced research for technological development, and to support European industry in the member countries.
Rocket missions
Esrange Space Center was built by ESRO and inaugurated in 1966. A great number of rocket projects were executed between November 1966 and June 1972.
The rocket impact area is located north of Esrange Space Center in the Swedish tundra region. This area is divided into three zones, A, B, and C, with a total area of 5,600 km².
Zone A, the impact area for boosters, can be extended when rockets with long-range boosters are launched. Zones B and C are impact areas for second and third stages as well as payloads. Zone C is not allowed for use during the period May 1 - September 15.
Safety messages
In 1972 SSC took over the ownership
Since July 1 1972, Esrange Space Center has been managed by SSC. The rocket and balloon activities are co-ordinated and financed by the Esrange Andøya Special Project (EASP) within ESA (European Space Agency). The member states of ESA/EASP are today France, Germany, Switzerland, Norway and Sweden.
Stratospheric balloons activities
In 1974 we completed a launching facility for scientific balloons at Esrange Space Center. This facility has been continuously upgraded to enable launches of 1,000,000 m3 balloons with payloads weighing up to many ton. The nominal impact point normally chosen is situated 75 km north of the launch pads. The impact area for balloons covers the northern parts of Sweden, Norway, Finland, Russia, Canada and Alaska.
Balloon missions
Satellite Management Services
Since 1978 Esrange Space Center plays an important role in various satellite missions from our Esrange Satellite Station, the largest civil ground station for satellite communication. Today we have around 140 dayly contacts with satellites in various orbits. We are also part of PriroaNet, SSC's world wide network of ground stations.
Esrange Satellite Station
PrioraNet
Satellite Management Services
Flight test activities
Since 2001 we have access to Europe's largest overland test range suitable for various tests and operations of aerospace vehicles. This area consists of a combined sites of Vidsel Test Range and Esrange Space Center. With 24,000 km2 restricted airspace and 3,300 km2 restricted ground space we provide this unique vast restricted overland airspace to our customers. The terrain is varying and consists of forests, fields, bogs, lakes, hills and low mountains.
Flight test activities
More information
User's Handbook - Sounding Rocket & Balloon
Esrange Safety Manual
Esrange Launching Programme
