This page shows important events in the BIRA-IASB history. You can refine the selection using the filters on the left-hand side.
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Space Physics
Atmospheric Composition
Solar Radiation in Atmospheres
Technology, Means & Methods
Society, Politics & Organisation

Space revolution: new observation techniques

In 1957 something happened that was decisive for space science: Russia launched the very first artificial satellite...

First steps towards Space Physics

Interaction between the Sun and the Earth's atmosphere, from idea to discovery...

Balloon flights for solar UV radiation

In situ measurements of ultraviolet solar irradiance for ozone studies in the stratosphere... 

The importance of supporting services

For many of the scientific efforts performed at BIRA-IASB, technical engineering and IT support is crucial...

Balloon flights with mass spectrometers

Increased  knowledge about stratospheric natural ion chemistry and composition thanks to 25 years of balloon observations...

Balloon flights with infrared instruments

Commercial stratospheric supersonic transport planes allowed, thanks to extraordinary new balloon science...

Establishment of the European Space Agency (ESA)

An independant space organisation in Europe was created in 1975...

Balloon flights for aerosol measurements

Surprising results while observing volcanic eruptions like Mount St. Helens, Loki, Tambora and Krakatau...

History stratospheric ozone-related issues

The impact of human activity on the atmosphere: stratospheric ozone-related issues... 

Ozone Hole (Antarctic)

In 1985 scientists reported that the ozone column had gradually decreased by about 40 percent...

Solar wind & Ulysses

The Ulysses spacecraft explored the interplanetary medium above the polar regions of the Sun...

Interaction between Solar Wind and Magnetosphere

Space Physics or how the relations between the Earth and the Sun influence our planet...

Pinatubo, a major volcanic eruption

The most spectacular volcanic event in the 20th century in terms of stratospheric effects...

Networks for Atmospheric Composition

High-quality, remote-sensing research stations for observing the physical-chemical state of stratosphere and troposphere...

ATLAS-1 mission Dirk Frimout

Dirk Frimout, the first Belgian astronaut, travelled aboard the American Space Shuttle...

EURECA, the European Retrievable Carrier

One of the largest spacecraft built and flown by ESA with a total of 16 active experiments...

Public Service

To transform research into applications that are made available to public authorities, industry, scientists and the general public...

Environmental Satellites

Remote sensing from an orbiting platform provides unique access to the global mapping of atmospheric constituents...

A look at the International Space Station

Coordination of operations (distance control) of space experiments...

Cluster spacecrafts

Multi-spacecraft exploration of the magnetosphere...

Mars Express

Belgium's involvement in Europe's first mission to the Red Planet provides knowledge about Martian aerosols and ice clouds...

Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment (ACE)

To measure the distribution of dozens of chemicals interacting with the ozone layer and with climate change...

Total Carbon Column Observing Network

Groundbased spectrometers validating the greenhouse gas measurements from space...

Mass spectrometry on ROSETTA

Measurement of cometary gases by means of a high resolution mass spectrometer....

Atmospheric Limb Tracker ALTIUS

A Belgian spaceborne instrument for the remote sensing of ozone and other important trace gases...

Venus atmosphere exploration with Venus Express

One of the more reliable instruments for research on a warm and dry planet...

Chemical Weather

Tools for monitoring stratospheric ozone and other species related to ozone...

Influence of plants on air quality

Forests, crops and grasslands have a major impact on air quality and health...

Groundbased UV-measurements

Stratospheric ozone depletion has led to the need for measurements of the solar ultraviolet irradiance at the Earth's surface...

SOLAR SOLSPEC instrument

Measuring solar irradiance above the atmosphere in 5 space missions over the past 30 years...

Phoenix Mars lander

Major discovery while developing models for the atmosphere of Mars: snow on Mars...

Belgian Radio Meteor Stations (BRAMS) network

Using radio waves for detection of meteors in the atmosphere...

Space Weather Services

The impact of solar activity on our earthly environment. Effects on humans and technology on Earth and in space...

Radiation belts

Particles are trapped creating doughnut shaped particle populations known as Earth's Van Allen belts...

ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter

Thanks to its successfull participation to the Venus Express mission, BIRA-IASB was selected for this challenging planetary mission...

Picosatellite PICASSO

'Cubesats' will demonstrate the potential of miniaturised technology for teledetection and in-situ observations in space...