Satellite launches from Europe in focus
On 9 October, SSC welcomed a large delegation of European ambassadors to Esrange Space Center in northern Sweden. Focusing on space policy, competitiveness and security within the European Union, the strategic importance of launch capabilities at Esrange, the only spaceport in continental EU, was emphasized.
The visit was a joint endeavor between SSC and the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, H.E. Dr. Adrien Müller, Ambassador of Hungary to Sweden. She emphasized the significance of Esrange in the context of EU space cooperation and capabilities, and stressed the importance of their visit in further deepening and enlarging the cooperation around Esrange as a strategic asset for EU and all of Europe.
“With unique capabilities to launch satellites from continental EU, along with Sweden’s NATO membership, the possibilities for the EU to utilize Esrange for a secure and competitive union have never been greater. Furthermore, the strategic partnership with U.S. rocket company Firefly Aerospace, one of few flight-proven and ready launch vehicles out there, provides a springboard for further transatlantic relations between the EU and the U.S.,“ said Charlotta Sund, CEO of SSC.
With about 18,000 small satellites expected to be launched between now and 2031, the satellite launch and operations capabilities at Esrange will be crucial to meet current needs and further advancements in IT and telecom, positioning and navigation, Earth observation, and security for the EU.
A large proportion of our daily societal functions depends on seamless space infrastructure, and ensuring high availability and resilience is key to a secure and competitive EU. The delegation emphasized how space policy can further leverage strategic space capabilities in the union and strengthen the EU space sector in relation to other leading space powers. In this, SSC with Esrange plays an important role by providing satellite launch and operations capabilities, as well as space-to-ground connectivity.
Contact: Philip Ohlsson, Head of PR & Press, +46 (0)70 721 70 26, philip.ohlsson@sscspace.com
Multimedia: https://sscspace.canto.global/b/VN8MB
