Six science projects to space from Sweden – launched onboard SubOrbital Express-4
Today, one of the most important and long-awaited rocket launches of the year took place from SSC's space center Esrange, above the Polar Circle in the North of Sweden. Six science projects aboard the SubOrbital Express-4 were carried out in microgravity – experiments ranging from medicine to green energy transition and the origin of life.
At 6 AM local time, SubOrbital Express-4 was launched to an altitude of 256 kilometers where the six experiments onboard could be carried out during six minutes of microgravity in space. After more than two years of planning and preparation, scientists from the United States, Japan, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland and Sweden saw their research take to the snowy skies.
Onboard were experiments ranging from the human immune system, ways to manufacture more efficient solar cells for greener energy production, and particle research that will provide answers about the birth of our universe. The payload was quickly located and is now being recovered by helicopter.
"Our sounding rocket program SubOrbital Express offers researchers, scientists, and commercial companies quick and easy shared-ride access to microgravity conditions in space. We are proud to announce another successful launch and safe journey to space for these important science projects. Imagine the potential long-term benefits that could arise from the discoveries made through these projects,” says Charlotta Sund, CEO at SSC.
“I am very excited to see that ESA is onboard SubOrbital Express supporting three experiments: one in biological science and two in physical science. On top of that, Esrange as test range has a huge potential for future exploration activities and I am looking forward to deepening the cooperation, said Daniel Neuenschwander, Director of Human and Robotic Exploration at the European Space Agency (ESA), during his visit to the campaign at Esrange.
The payload featured six science projects:
- MicACTin: Experiment to investigate how the immune system is affected by microgravity.
- LiFiCo: Physical chemistry experiment to investigate improved solar cell techniques.
- DUST-II: Experiment to investigate how tiny grains of dust form and grow in space.
- JACKS: Experiment to investigate how granular gases behave in microgravity.
- BFS: Study of how gravity changes affect biological processes in bladderwrack.
- TATTS: Experiment to capture a video of the behavior of water in a microgravity environment.
More about this science: https://sscspace.com/six-experiments-to-space-from-esrange
Media contact: Philip Ohlsson, Head of PR & Press, +46 70 721 70 26, philip.ohlsson@sscspace.com
Contact information of the responsible scientists can be shared on request.
Multimedia: Photos and videos from the preparations and launch can be downloaded at https://sscspace.canto.global/b/NBIGB
About SubOrbital Express: SubOrbital Express provides researchers, scientists and commercial companies with quick and easy shared-ride access to near-space, microgravity conditions. Within the program, SSC offers support in mechanics, electronic and power design, advanced software engineering, experiment system engineering, mission system and engineering. Our engineers provide customized design and development of experimental payloads, a safe launch and real-time experiment monitoring through to quick land recovery, giving you rapid access to space and back. Read more at https://suborbitalexpress.com/.
About SSC: Swedish Space Corporation (SSC) helps Earth benefit from Space. Since the 70’s, SSC has helped space organizations, companies, other commercial actors and research institutes to get access to space. Through our local presence on all continents and close to 700 committed employees, we offer specialist expertise in satellite ground station connectivity, spacecraft operations, rocket and balloon systems, launch services, flight test services and data analytics. Among our strongest assets are Esrange Space Center in northern Sweden, set to begin launching satellites from Sweden in 2025, as well as our global ground station network for satellite communications: SSC Connect. Read more at www.sscspace.com.
