Sweden’s Space Odyssey: From Arctic Rockets to Europe’s Satellite Powerhouse
Sweden opened Spaceport Esrange, mainland Europe’s first orbital launch site, in January 2023. The Swedish space sector generated 18.3 billion SEK in 2022, employing over 4,000 people. Recent milestones include the launch of Sweden’s first military satellite in August 2024 and the scientific satellite MATS. Nearly 600 suborbital rockets have launched from Esrange since 1961.