Swedish Institute of Space Physics

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. The head office is in Kiruna (geographic coordinates 67.84° N, 20.41° E) and IRF also has offices in Umeå, Uppsala and Lund.

Address:

Box 812, SE-981 28 Kiruna

Phone:

+46-980 79000

Head of public authority (President/Vice-Chancellor/CEO/DG):

Lars Eliasson

URL:

http://www.irf.se/

Press contact

Name:

Rick McGregor

Phone:

+46-980 79178

Cell phone:

The latest press releases from Swedish Institute of Space Physics

Sofia Bergman’s research gives scientists an opportunity to study low-energy ions.

24 November, 2021 - Institutet för rymdfysik

Sofia Bergman, Swedish Institute of Space Physics (IRF) and Umeå University, will defend her doctoral thesis on low-energy ions around comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko on 26 November. Observing low energy ions is notoriously difficult because their properties are affected greatly by the spacecraft which observes them. Sofia has developed new methods to do this. Using her work, scientists can study low-energy ions around comets and in a variety of other places in the Solar System.

Unique tests available at Sweden’s IRF SpaceLab

25 November, 2020 - Institutet för rymdfysik

The SpaceLab test facility at the Swedish Institute of Space Physics (IRF) in Kiruna, Sweden, offers industry and research groups an extensive opportunity to test and qualify space-related hardware for satellites, rockets, balloons and ground-based technology. A film and a website are now being launched to present the test capabilities within IRF SpaceLab. ”IRF has […]

Swedish space instrument participates in the search for life around Jupiter

18 November, 2020 - Institutet för rymdfysik

The Swedish-led satellite instrument Particle Environment Package (PEP) will help researchers at the Swedish Institute of Space Physics (IRF) to understand how three of Jupiter’s icy moons are affected by the particles around Jupiter and search for the pre-conditions for life. After 14 years of work, the instrument is ready to take its place on […]

Swedish space technology ready to explore oceans under the ice on Jupiter’s moon Ganymede

21 August, 2020 - Institutet för rymdfysik

Now the first of two Swedish-led Jupiter instruments has left the Swedish Institute of Space Physics (IRF) to take its place on the European spacecraft JUICE. The Radio & Plasma Wave Investigation instrument (RPWI) will measure electric and magnetic fields to identify and map the oceans beneath the frozen ice cover of the moon Ganymede.

Twisted radio beams in space reveal unique properties of black holes

21 February, 2020 - Institutet för rymdfysik

A researcher from the Swedish Institute of Space Physics, IRF, is a member of the international research team that has detected twisted radio beams from the famous black hole in the M87 galaxy. The radiation discovered reveals unique properties of black holes.

Swedish Institute of Space Physics one step closer to the edge of the Solar System

19 February, 2020 - Institutet för rymdfysik

The Swedish Institute of Space Physics, IRF, is one step closer to being able to send up a satellite instrument to study Neptune and its moon Triton. The American space agency NASA has selected TRIDENT as one of four mission concepts to be developed further for final selection in April 2021 as part of its Discovery program.

Magnetic storms – a window to the past

22 November, 2019 - Institutet för rymdfysik

Audrey Schillings recently defended her doctoral thesis about atmospheric loss from Earth and how it varies with solar wind conditions. The thesis shows how oxygen ion outflow increases with increasing solar wind dynamic pressure, with southward direction of the interplanetary magnetic field and with the amount of extreme ultraviolet radiation.

Cluster spacecraft reveals new insights into the inner workings of the Earth’s natural particle accelerator

27 February, 2019 - Institutet för rymdfysik

A new study performed by the Swedish Institute of Space Physics in Uppsala, in collaboration with the University of Sheffield and other groups, uses data from the European Space Agency’s Cluster spacecraft to reveal new insights into the inner workings of the bow shock when it becomes non-stationary and its structure starts to break down.

Swedish space pioneer Bengt Hultqvist has passed away

27 February, 2019 - Institutet för rymdfysik

It is with great sorrow that we report that Professor Emeritus Bengt Hultqvist, the founder of the Swedish Institute of Space Physics, has passed away at the age of 91.

Swedish instrument has landed on the Moon

3 January, 2019 - Institutet för rymdfysik

On January 3, 03:26 Swedish time, the Chinese Chang’E-4 spacecraft landed successfully on the far side of the Moon. The Swedish Institute of Space Physics (IRF) has developed one of the scientific instruments on board. The aim of the instrument is to study how the solar wind interacts with the lunar surface.

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