Winter and space come together in Kiruna

– Space engineering is a broad education. You learn mathematics and physics, and the education provides you with an incredible problem solving characteristics. If you suddenly discover that you do not like space, you still have a great degree in engineering .

Since the engineering program in space technology begins with two years of study at the university's main campus in Luleå, it was there Viktor Andersson first landed when he moved north from Skåne.

– I did not know anyone when I moved. But nolleperioden* was great and it didn't take long to make new friends.

Towards the space city

After two years in Lulea, Viktor Andersson continued his journey north, to the space city of Kiruna.

– I really enjoy studying in Kiruna,Space Campus is a fantastic place.

What course are you taking right now?

– Climate Physics. We use a plane simulator in which we change the parameters to see the outcome. I lowered Greenland, for example, and found that the average temperature in Sweden increased by one and a half degrees. And some winds changed directions.

One specifik feature of the space program that Viktor Andersson appreciate, is the international character. The Space industry is international in character, many foreign scientists and students come to Kiruna, and many of LTU's research staff and students go out into the world. Viktor Andersson has been, for example, visiting the ESA, the European Space Agency, in the Netherlands and plans to study the next semester in Denmark.

– I have learned a lot about how other cultures work, says Viktor Andersson.

– Not least through the project that I participated in, projects Marvel, for example.

Sharp projects

In the Marvel project, the students built a glider. The glider was transported four kilometers up in the sky, by using a high altitude ballon. At that altitude, the atmosphere is similar to the conditions on Mars, in terms of pressure and temperature. The aircraft and the instruments on board, could therefore, just as well, have examined the surface of Mars.

In the future, Viktor Andersson wants to build payloads for scientific satellites.

– Or – why not become an astronaut? laughs Viktor Andersson.

– It had been a great experience to go into space!

* Nolleperiod. Two weeks of voluntary introduction of the new program students. The aim is that the new students shall get accustomed to campus life, getting to know each other and have fun together. The activities are planned and implemented by the so-called Phösare (students from higher grades).

Name: Viktor Andersson
Age: 23
Hometown: Höllviken, Skane
Plugs: fourth year of Space Engineering