Arctic launches and atmospheric science
North of the Arctic Circle, 40 kilometers from the town of Kiruna, is the Esrange Space Center. Construction began in 1964 as an initiative of the European Space Research Organisation (ESRO), the precursor to the European Space Agency. The location was selected for its position within the auroral zone and its vast, unpopulated land area, which provides a 5,600 square kilometer impact area for rocket payloads. The first rocket, a Centaure-1, launched from the site on November 19, 1966.
The Swedish Space Corporation (SSC) took over management of the facility in 1972. Since its founding, Esrange has launched more than 600 sounding rockets and nearly 700 stratospheric balloons. These sub-orbital rocket flights are designed for atmospheric and ionospheric research, flying directly into the aurora borealis to measure the particles and electromagnetic fields that create the phenomenon. Rocket programs like Suborbital Express provide researchers with brief periods of microgravity to conduct experiments.
Stratospheric balloon campaigns also form a core part of Esrange's operations. The first scientific balloon was released in 1974. These balloons can have volumes exceeding 1 million cubic meters and carry instruments to altitudes of 45 km to study subjects like ozone depletion and stratospheric gases.
Europe's mainland spaceport
In January 2023, Esrange was inaugurated as the first orbital launch site on the European mainland. This expansion, called Spaceport Esrange, adds the capability to launch small satellites into polar orbit. The new infrastructure includes an Orbital Launch Control Center, which became operational in February 2026, and multiple launch pads.
The American company Firefly Aerospace plans to launch its Alpha rocket from Esrange. The European Space Agency's Themis program, which is developing a reusable first-stage rocket demonstrator, will also conduct its first "hop-tests" at the facility. In addition to launch activities, Esrange operates one of the world's largest civilian satellite ground station networks, communicating with and tracking data from numerous satellites.