In Sweden's Arctic among the reindeer, a space complex is taking shape By Thomas Erdbrink and Christina Anderson New York Times May 23, 2021 — 6:15pm Text size Copy shortlink: KIRUNA, Sweden — The path to the reindeer herder's spring home took him across four frozen lakes and countless snowy hilltops. Arriving to a light dusting of snow, the herder, Aslak Allas, switched off his snowmobile, and the overwhelming silence of Sweden's Arctic settled in. His reindeer, thousands of them, were nowhere to be seen. "They are very scared of noise," Allas explained, pointing to his vehicle. He then motioned toward the distant hills dotted with birch trees, their buds swelling with the warming spring sun. "Now, the noise coming from there, that will be something else," Allas sighed.