The activities within the IRF Research Programme 'Physics in Space' (PHISP) focus on the study of the basic small- and large-scale processes and fundamental physical principles which control the Earth's interaction with its space environment. Of particular interest are linear and non-linear dynamical processes involving waves, radiation, turbulence, solitons, cavitons, alfveons, hybrons, striations and other structures in space plasma and the associated exchange of energy, linear momentum, and angular momentum between plasma and radiation.

Adopting a holistic point of view, where space is seen both as a natural laboratory without walls and as an object of study in itself, we try to enhance and widen the basis of our knowledge of the world around us. Systematic observations of space are compared with results obtained from theoretical research and numerical simulations carried out on clusters of supercomputers. In the experiments we use a combination of world-wide ground-based research infrastructures and instrumentation onboard satellites and other spacecraft.

Our work also includes the development of new instrumentation and experiment methodology based on modern fundamental physics. We have a long experience in designing and building very advanced instruments. Already in 1983 we built our first generation software defined radio (SDR) system for new types of radio studies of space. We are now (2010) into our eighth generation, with a fully vector sensing digtal sensor system that allows a complete characterisation and control of all parameters in an electromagnetic radio beam, including its energy, momentum, polarisation and angular momentum.

Additionally, we are involved in teaching and supervision of undergraduate and graduate students, and public outreach activities.