Austrian Academy of Sciences - Space Research Institute

The Space Research Institute (IWF) focuses on the physics and exploration of the Solar System. It develops and builds space-qualified instruments and analyses and interprets the data returned by them. In terms of science, IWF concentrates on dynamical processes in space plasma physics and on the upper atmospheres of planets and exoplanets.

The Institute's core expertise is in building magnetometers and on-board computers, as well as in satellite laser ranging, in particular to space debris. IWF is currently involved in 20 international space missions, led by ESA, NASA or other national space agencies. The missions cover fleets of satellites in near-earth space, observation of the sun as well as exploration of planets such as Mercury, Mars, Jupiter and exoplanets.

• Instrument development
• Scientific analysis

For manufacturing and testing, IWF operates five thermal vacuum chambers of different sizes, a magnetometer temperature test facility, a clean room, and other test facilities.