How is a satellite project carried out?
A rocket or satellite project starts with a scientist having an
idea about something that needs to be studied. Then as many
scientists and authorities as possible have to be convinced that it
is a good idea. Most of the aurora research in the world is financed
at the expense of the Government and very few of the proposals handed
in are approved, since the Government does not want to spend too much
money.
For a proposal to be approved there must be very good scientific
reasons, the project must be technically practicable and not too
expensive.
The scientific instruments are developed and built by the
scientists. To build instruments for space use is very demanding. The
instruments have to withstand a great deal, since it is usually
impossible to repair them if they break down in space.
But it is not enough just to have scientific instruments. There
must be a functional rocket or satellite with, among other things,
engine, energy supply, systems to transmit information, data, to
Earth and to receive commands. Systems to control and steer the
location in space are also needed.
In Swedish space projects the main responsibility lies with
Rymdbolaget (the Swedish Space
Corporation), which is Government-owned.
HTML: Jenny Jutström
Updated: webmaster@irf.se, 2003-11-12