Institutet för rymdfysik, IRFand Luleå University of Technology: The (not so) Space Down Under

By Josh Keegan

I was in Kiruna, Sweden for a holiday with my family. Kiruna is a mining town that lies inside the Artic Circle and is home to both The Institute for Space Physics and Luleå University of Technology where I was able to be taken on a personal tour by PHD student Philipp Wittmann.

I also had the opportunity to meet Cristobal and Moses from the Luleå University of Technology who were able to show me what they are working on.

Kiruna, a mining town situated inside the Arctic Circle in Sweden, is home to the Institute for Space Physics (IRF) and the Luleå University of Technology. In a fascinating tour of this unique facility, hosted by PhD student Philipp Whitman, we delve into the world of space research and hardware development. From rockets to space instruments, we uncover the groundbreaking work being done at IRF and its intriguing connection to Australia's deep space network. Join us on this eye-opening journey into the realm of space science.

Contrary to popular belief, the IRF is not a space research center. It is the Institute for Space Physics, dedicated to studying the physics of space and its various phenomena. Established over 60 years ago, IRF has played a significant role in numerous space missions, including those focused on Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Venus, and the Moon. The institute has also contributed to missions exploring space debris, space weather, and the awe-inspiring aurora borealis.

During the tour, it becomes evident that the IRF is a hub of cutting-edge research and development. The institute houses state-of-the-art laboratories equipped with various materials, including titanium, aluminum, and tungsten, used to build space instruments. With an emphasis on thermal cycling simulation, researchers can test instruments' endurance under extreme temperature conditions, replicating the harsh environments encountered in space.

Connected to the IRF through a tunnel decorated with children's drawings, the Luleå University of Technology focuses on space science. In this prestigious university, we meet PhD students Moses and Chris, engaged in concurrent engineering of small satellites and advanced software-defined radio technology, respectively. The university boasts facilities like software for tracking CubeSats and a prototype platform enabling frictionless movement to simulate space conditions.

Interestingly, the Swedish Space Corporation, responsible for the Kiruna facilities, has a little-known link to Australia. The Yatharagga Satellite Station, located in Western Australia, is part of the West Australian Space Centre and collaborates with the Swedish Space Corporation. This unexpected connection underscores the global cooperation and exchange of knowledge in the field of space research.

The tour of the Institute for Space Physics in Kiruna, Sweden, offers an exclusive glimpse into the world of space research and instrumentation. Through the expertise of researchers like Philip Whitman and the collaboration between IRF and Luleå University of Technology, groundbreaking discoveries are made, paving the way for future space missions. The link between Sweden and Australia further emphasizes the international nature of space exploration and the importance of global partnerships.

Studying in Kiruna

In Kiruna it is possible to study several different subjects at the outpost of Luleå tekniska universitet. Possible master programs for international students are for example the Master of space science and technology, the master in spacecraft design, the master of Earth Atmosphere and the Solar System or the combined bachelor and master’s degree in civil engineering. The lectures for these subjects are given in English and because of the Swedish Institute for space Physics and EISCAT being in the same building a close collaboration with an experienced space research team is possible. This collaboration consists from guest lectures given by some scientists from both IRF and EISCAT over possible help for student rocket experiments in form of knowledge support from our engineers, to project work in one of the two institutions to master thesis which can contribute to the development of real space instruments or other interesting topics. As all three contributors are in the same building the employees know each other well and it is easy to get in touch with possible supervisors The lectures in these master programs are all given in English and are from very basic lectures so everyone can get on a similar level to more specialized lectures giving in depth knowledge in a wide field of research topics. So don’t expect a highly specialized master degree but more of a well based knowledge of various topics in the field of space engineering and science. For more input about the different study programs and topics please visit the corresponding websites. Beside this broad knowledge you are studying in a very international environment and you can expect students from all over the world coming to Kiruna for the experience of international collaboration. This leads to a well connected group of young enthusiastic students in every year which will help getting through the different climate up here which consists of around half a year of snow and temperatures below zero degrees (down to below -40°C is possible) together with the unique experience of polar days or polar nights and other atmospheric phenomenon’s like northern lights or polar stratospheric clouds to mention the most well-known. If you are not sure if you can handle this unique climate there would be also the possibility for an arctic winter school which takes around one week given by Umeå university, which is oriented at international bachelor students in nature science subjects. Also the possibility of visiting Kiruna for one exchange semester is available.

Original YouTube interview and tour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0c994odNES4&t=172s