Safety Information

Rocket impact area at Esrange

This information is mainly for anyone who resides in the Esrange area, Kiruna, Sweden. Final radio announcements (in Swedish) are broadcasted by Swedish National Radio broadcaster in Norrbotten (SR P4) on the Kiruna FM transmitter 102.7 MHz or via sr.se/norrbotten

English Swedish (Svenska)

Denna sida på svenska

Quick Links

Planned: UAV (drone) flights

2026-09-28 – 2026-10-11

Two UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) launches are planned at Esrange Space Center in the period September 28 to October 11 2026. The UAVs will be launched from Esrange and fly within the flight restriction area (ESR1 Esrange) for about two hours each. It is prohibited by law to stay within Zone A during the launch of the vehicles from Esrange.

Both UAVs are planned to impact within Zone B of the Esrange Impact Area.

Please open the link below to find more information.

Affected Zones: Zone A, Zone B, Zone C
Affected Times: 04:00 - 16:00

Preliminary announcement no. 239

Planned: Rocket launch

2026-10-01 – 2026-10-08

A two-stage rocket is planned to be launched from Esrange Space Center in the period October 1 to October 8 2026. The rocket is predicted to impact in Zone B, but could also impact within Zone C. It is prohibited by law to stay in Zone A during rocket launches from Esrange.

Please open the link below to find more information.

Mission: MAPHEUS 17
Affected Zones: Zone A, Zone B, Zone C
Affected Times: 04:00 - 16:00

Preliminary announcement no. 239

Ongoing: Parachute Tests

2026-09-09 – 2026-09-23

Update: The seventh flight with parachute tests is conducted.  Fight 8 with parachute tests is planned Tuesday 22:st September between 8:00 and 14:00.

Up to 54 parachute tests from an aircraft are planned in the period 9-23 September 2026.  Predicted impact points are in Zone B.

For more information read the preliminary announcement below.

 

Mission DGA 2026
Affected Zones Zone B
Affected Times: 08:00 - 14:00

Förberedande meddelande 239 för DGA, Kratos och MAPHEUS 17

Planned: Flygning av drönare (UAV)

2026-09-28 – 2026-10-11

Två UAV-flygningar är planerade från Esrange Space Center i perioden september 28 till oktober 11 2026. Drönarna kommer att starta på Esrange och flyga inom restriktionsområdet ESR1 Esrange i cirka två timmar vardera. Det är enligt lag förbjudet att vistas inom Zon A av Esrange nedslagsområde då drönarna startar från Esrange.

Båda drönarna är beräknade att landa inom Zon B av Esrange nedslagsområde.

Öppna det förberedande meddelandet nedan för mer information.

Zoner som påverkas: Zon A, Zon B, Zon C
Tidsperiod: 04:00 - 16:00

Preliminary announcement no. 239

Planned: Raketuppskjutning

2026-10-01 – 2026-10-08

Uppskjutning av en tvåstegsraket är planerad från Esrange i perioden 1 oktober – 8 oktober 2026. Raketen beräknas landa i Zon B, men kan även landa i Zon C. Det är förbjudet att vistas i Zon A vid raketuppskjutning.

Öppna det förberedande meddelandet nedan för mer information.

Mission: MAPHEUS 17
Zoner som påverkas: Zon A, Zon B, Zon C
Tidsperiod: 04:00 - 16:00

Förberedande meddelande nr. 239

Ongoing: Fallskärmstester

2026-09-09 – 2026-09-23

Uppdatering: Sjunde flygningen med fallskärmstester är genomförd. Den åttonde flygningen med fallskärmstester planeras till tisdag 22:a september mellan 08:00 och 14:00.

Upp till 54 fallskärmstester från flygplan är planerade i perioden 9-23 september 2026. De beräknas landa i Zon B.

Öppna det förberedande meddelandet nedan för mer information.

 

 

Mission: DGA 2026
Zoner som påverkas: Zon B
Tidsperiod: 08:00 - 14:00

Förberedande meddelande 239 för DGA, Kratos och MAPHEUS 17 (På svenska och engelska)

Questions and Answers

How close to Esrange can I be during a launch or a rocket motor test?
  • During a rocket launch: outside Zone A or extended Zone A (if that is in use). See Zone A map.
  • During a rocket motor test: outside Zone A1. See Zone A1 map.

Please check the latest safety messages on this page before entering the area.

No. Look east if you want to see the rocket.

It is not allowed to be in the Visitor Center during a rocket launch. Leave to get outside of the Zone A. See zone map.

Yes, but be aware of the warning messages on the radio when a rocket launch will occur (Radio Norrbotten P4 on the Kiruna FM transmitter 102.7 MHz).

Zones A and Extended Zone A are forbidden areas when activated (when the sirens sound). See zone map.

No, Esrange is a civil protection area and it is prohibited to photograph.

Short repeated signals mean danger and that you must leave the area. Continuous signal means the danger is over.

Start to walk away from the zone. See zone map.

Don’t touch it or go too close. Note the coordinates for the position, if possible take a picture and then call +46 (0)980 72 000 for further instructions. A reward will be given to the first person who reports a finding of rocket parts or payload components.

Yes, we live-stream some of the launches on our Youtube channel: SSC Space on Youtube

You will find the list on our Rocket and Balloon Activities page.

It depends on the rocket, but usually it flies up to 250 km in altitude and impacts 70 km north of Esrange.

It is prohibited to operate drones within the Esrange area. Should any drones be detected, the authorities will be notified immediately, and your drone will be confiscated. Additionally, photographing or filming with drones is strictly forbidden, as Esrange is designated as a civil protected area by law.

Please note that there are restrictions on drone flights within the entire Esrange landing area north of Esrange Space Center (ES R01 and ES R01A). For more information, see LFV’s drone map.

When no campaigns are ongoing. Please check the latest Safety Information on top of this page.

Check this page. We also list upcoming and completed launches on the Rocket and Balloon Activities page.