Space research and space technology

Space research and space technology are central to understanding the universe, our solar system, and the Earth as a planet. Observations and measurements from space provide crucial knowledge about climate change, weather, glaciers, sea ice and natural resources, while space missions drive technological development in areas such as advanced materials, sensors, instrumentation, electronics, data processing and autonomous systems. Space activities therefore contribute both to fundamental research and to solutions addressing societal challenges on Earth.

At Uppsala University, space research and space technology are pursued across a broad range of disciplines and have a long and internationally recognised tradition. There are strong research environments in areas including astrophysics and exoplanet research, space plasma and planetary physics, satellite-based remote sensing of the Earth’s climate and environment, space-related sensor technology and radiation-hardened electronics, as well as research on the biological and physiological effects of space environments.

The research is often carried out in close collaboration with international space organisations, research infrastructures and industry, and spans from fundamental research to advanced technological development for future space missions.