From Norrbotten and into space – now Spaceport Esrange will become a reality

Europe's first satellite launch facility at the Esrange spaceport was inaugurated earlier this year, but there is still some work to be done. Together, Region Norrbotten, Kiruna Municipality and the Längmanska företagarfonden are contributing funds to the SmallSat Launch project, which aims to establish the Spaceport Esrange launch site.

The ability to launch satellites from Sweden and the EU is long-awaited. It will become an important regional, national and European strategic resource for a competitive, sustainable and secure Europe. Space technology is identified as an important development area in the regional strategy for smart specialization.

– The ability to launch small satellites can become an important driver for research, innovation and sustainable growth in Norrbotten. It contributes to international attractiveness. By connecting space actors with education, research and business, we hope to increase regional growth and innovation capacity, says Janus Brandin, Regional Development Director at Region Norrbotten.

The SmallSat Launch project involves work on licensing, insurance, customs handling, analyses and system development, among other things. It will also strengthen cooperation between space actors and the region's small and medium-sized enterprises. In total, the project support includes eleven million kronor, with Region Norrbotten contributing seven million from the state allocation for regional development. Kiruna Municipality contributes three million kronor and Längmanska företagarfonden contributes one million kronor. SSC will then contribute three million kronor to the project, which will be an important step in the establishment of the EU mainland's first orbital launch site.

– The goal of the investment is to build a capacity that provides added value for the entire space industry, the Norrbotten region and Kiruna. The ability to launch satellites has a direct effect on the green transition. And being able to do it from Swedish soil contributes to competitiveness and a safer society. We are already seeing that technological development in northern Sweden is creating new jobs. With this investment, we will become Europe's space capital. It also contributes to a broader business community, says Kiruna's municipal councilor Mats Taaveniku.

The infrastructure for launching satellites is already in place and the first launch is expected to take place in 2024.

– Space activities are already of great importance to Kiruna and Norrbotten. Here you will find Esrange, the Institute of Space Physics, Luleå University of Technology's space program, a Space High School and the international research facility EISCAT. Now space companies from all over the world are turning to SSC to launch their satellites from Swedish soil. This creates enormous opportunities and local and regional support is crucial in this work, says Lennart Poromaa, site manager at Esrange.

Contact

Janus Brandin, Regional Development Director
073 -820 67 34
janus.brandin@norrbotten.se