Sweden is hosting Europe’s first satellite launching station
Sweden is hosting Europe’s first satellite launching station
The Esrange Space Center is located above the Arctic Circle
Last week, the Swedish Space Agency (SSC) reported that they had signed a loan agreement with the Nordic Investment Bank that would enable the creation of the European Union’s first satellite launch site. The new space gate will enrich the Esrange Space Center, a space technology research facility located near Kiruna, in northern Sweden.
It will certainly position Sweden as a pioneer in the space industry
The loan, valued at 12 million euros, goes to a comprehensive modernization of the space center, something that has already been going on since 2015. The new launch pad is expected to be completed quickly given that the goal is to launch the first satellite from there as early as 2022.
“This important milestone means that Sweden will become a launching state that offers European and international satellite owners the most modern ground technology possible. This will be of great importance for future research, technological development and expanded international cooperation – all to support the sustainable development of life on earth.“, Explained Stefan Gardefjord, CEO of SSC.
The project involves construction work for the new launch site, including integration halls for rockets and satellites, expansion of planned fuel plants, launch pads and surrounding technical ground systems and development of technical support systems in Esrange’s operational communication center.
Esrange Space Center opened in 1966 and has since been used to launch rockets and high-altitude balloons. Now SSC will also be able to launch satellites weighing up to 150 kilos. With that, the state-owned company hopes to take advantage of the growing space industry market, which according to experts has been underutilized.
“With more than 50 years of experience in launching rockets and balloons, the Esrange Space Center is already one of the most active and versatile launch sites in the world. And with the new spaceport feature, it will probably be the first launch site on the European mainland to provide a space company with a platform to develop its next-generation rocket technology and launch its satellites.“, Says Philip Påhlsson, project manager for New Esrange at SSC.