Esrange

Esrange Space Center (short form Esrange) is a rocket range and research centre located outside the town of Kiruna in northern Sweden. It is a base for scientific research with high altitude balloons, investigation of the aurora borealis, sounding rocket launches, and satellite tracking, among other things. Located 200 km north of the Arctic Circle and surrounded by a vast wilderness, its geographic location is ideal for many of these purposes. Richard Branson of Virgin Galactic has looked into the option of using this site for launching space tourism, starting in 2011. The local hotel Aurora has been used by tourists since December 2007, who want to spend time at the only rocket base allowing tourists to sleep in the hotels, which are normally meant for scientists and engineers.

Esrange was built in 1964 by ESRO, the European Space Research Organisation, which later became European Space Agency by merging with ELDO, the European Launcher Development Organisation. In 1972, ownership was transferred to the newly started Swedish Space Corporation.

In 2007, it was proposed that Spaceport Sweden be co-located with Esrange at Kiruna.