SpaceLab

SpaceLab is a tool for Swedish and international scientists as well as space-related companies to develop world-class instruments for space research, enabling participation in the most comprehensive, advanced and intriguing science missions in the near-Earth environment and our solar system.SpaceLab is an infrastructure hosted by the Swedish Institute of Space Physics (IRF) located on IRF’s premises, 6 km from Kiruna city centre and 33 km from Esrange rocket base.SpaceLab provides multiple unique facilities located on the same premises for testing, qualification and calibration (i.e. verification and validation) of scientific instruments to be used in space.

A space instrument needs to pass mechanical vibration and shock tests, thermal vacuum tests and electromagnetic compatibility tests prior to integration on the launch vehicle. Modern space systems also require radiation and solar balance tests. SpaceLab can perform all of these tests.

The instrument must also be calibrated, characterizing its response to signals similar to those it is designed to observe in space, a process with which SpaceLab has more than 50-years experience.To meet increasing demands for testing and calibration of scientific space equipment, SpaceLab is applying for resources to replace and upgrade the ageing facilities currently available.

With the grant being applied for, SpaceLab will invest in a clean environment shaker and ringing table for vibration and shock tests as well as a multi-source calibration system, to enable calibration of instruments with both foreground and background signals.

SpaceLab will also upgrade the vacuum pumping systems, including the thermal vacuum heating and cooling system, and acquire a Helmholtz coil to measure weak magnetic fields.The new investments, together with the experience and the engineering and scientific knowledge of the SpaceLab staff, strengthen the infrastructure as a national competence centre for scientific space instrumentation.