The launch was planned for early February, but then the weather conditions were not good enough. It is not enough that the weather is clear for the launch, one must be able to have weather to fly out by helicopter and carry the so-called payload with the experiments.

Waited in the northern lights

The last few weeks have been waiting for the moon to stop appearing. According to SSC, all other conditions were in place tonight with perfect weather, without disturbing moonlight and dancing northern lights over Kiruna.

- We needed not only the northern lights but the right kind of northern lights and just in the rocket's orbit, says Krister Sjölander.

Parachutes were opened at a height of five kilometers

Spider-2 was launched with a one-stage rocket that reached an altitude of about 120 kilometers before falling back to earth. On the way up, twelve free-flying measuring units were released, which among other things measured the measured electric and magnetic fields that give rise to northern lights.

On the way down, at about five kilometers altitude, all units' parachutes were opened before landing on the ground. They then sent out their position to be taken home.

- We were out early this morning and picked up the units that we prioritized. We knew it was going to blow so we left some that we will pick up tomorrow, ”says Krister Sjölander.

When did you last sleep?

- Yesterday morning at six. But you go on a lot of adrenaline before a launch so it went well.