Kiruna, a sounding rocket station in Sweden, is shaping up to become Europe’s premier venue for launching passenger carrying sub orbital rocket planes, if a recent meeting between Spaceport Sweden delegates and space tourism firm Virgin Galactic is anything to go by.
In a meeting held in Esrange, April 1, the two interests shared their comprehensive visions of a spaceport that would not only launch passengers to sub orbital space, but scientific payloads as well.
The gathering provided a chance for both Swedish science researchers, and Kiruna’s current advisors to address past, present and future spaceflight concerns: Speaking in terms of the potential launch of Virgin Galactic spacecraft, a senior advisor with Swedish Space Corporation, Sven Grahn commented: “We have studied very practical matters such as, for example, the suitability of the available infrastructure in Kiruna, the weather conditions, the possible flight profile for Virgin Galactic's spaceship when operating in Kiruna, any additional infrastructure that may be needed, the regulatory framework in Sweden and Europe for personal spaceflight, and a host of other matters. We have not encountered any major obstacles along the way and don't expect to do so either. Our next step will be to keep working on regulatory matters, and further defining the way we take care of space travellers and any additional infrastructure that may be needed”.
According to the assembled delegates, Kiruna’s history as a sub orbital sounding rocket launch facility, would also affect the overall evolution of Virgin Galactic operations at Kiruna: The Swedish Space Corporation operating through the Esrange Space Centre would, perhaps, in future utilise a modified WhiteKnight II to boost small satellites orbit; or alternatively, experiments may be flown onboard a modified Spaceshiptwo. Esrange (operational since 1966) already houses many of the crucial systems necessary to monitor space based experiments remotely, so current capabilities suggest that Virgin may utilise Kiruna for commercial/scientific ends.
The co-operation between Virgin Galactic and facilities like Esrange may yet lead to the development of sub orbital craft that are far more dynamic than any that have previously been envisaged: the chance to access the space environment from Europe will also lead to a boom for Sweden’s economy, providing new research opportunities that will only serve to enhance the reputation of European science: The chance to fly through the Aurora Borealis in a rocket ship will also recommend Kiruna to legions of future astronauts, making the spaceport a vital destination on the world map of passenger launch locations.
In a meeting held in Esrange, April 1, the two interests shared their comprehensive visions of a spaceport that would not only launch passengers to sub orbital space, but scientific payloads as well.
The gathering provided a chance for both Swedish science researchers, and Kiruna’s current advisors to address past, present and future spaceflight concerns: Speaking in terms of the potential launch of Virgin Galactic spacecraft, a senior advisor with Swedish Space Corporation, Sven Grahn commented: “We have studied very practical matters such as, for example, the suitability of the available infrastructure in Kiruna, the weather conditions, the possible flight profile for Virgin Galactic's spaceship when operating in Kiruna, any additional infrastructure that may be needed, the regulatory framework in Sweden and Europe for personal spaceflight, and a host of other matters. We have not encountered any major obstacles along the way and don't expect to do so either. Our next step will be to keep working on regulatory matters, and further defining the way we take care of space travellers and any additional infrastructure that may be needed”.
According to the assembled delegates, Kiruna’s history as a sub orbital sounding rocket launch facility, would also affect the overall evolution of Virgin Galactic operations at Kiruna: The Swedish Space Corporation operating through the Esrange Space Centre would, perhaps, in future utilise a modified WhiteKnight II to boost small satellites orbit; or alternatively, experiments may be flown onboard a modified Spaceshiptwo. Esrange (operational since 1966) already houses many of the crucial systems necessary to monitor space based experiments remotely, so current capabilities suggest that Virgin may utilise Kiruna for commercial/scientific ends.
The co-operation between Virgin Galactic and facilities like Esrange may yet lead to the development of sub orbital craft that are far more dynamic than any that have previously been envisaged: the chance to access the space environment from Europe will also lead to a boom for Sweden’s economy, providing new research opportunities that will only serve to enhance the reputation of European science: The chance to fly through the Aurora Borealis in a rocket ship will also recommend Kiruna to legions of future astronauts, making the spaceport a vital destination on the world map of passenger launch locations.
Image:Spaceport Sweden
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