Mainland EU’s first orbital launch site now in Kiruna

Mainland EU’s first orbital launch complex, Spaceport Esrange, was officially inaugurated by the Swedish Head of State, King Carl XVI Gustaf; the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen; and the Swedish Prime Minister, Ulf Kristersson. This marks the introduction of a new and long-awaited critical asset to the European Union’s shared space infrastructure, offering an independent European gateway to space from northernmost Sweden.

Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stated, “This is unique. It is the first facility of its kind in mainland Europe, and I know it has been made possible by teamwork with trusted international partners.”

According to the Director General of the European Space Agency (ESA), Kiruna is already one of Europe’s strategic gateways to space and the new launch complex at Esrange is a critical asset that will strengthen Europe’s capability to launch satellites and improve its space competitiveness. He added that the spaceport will strengthen Sweden’s active role in space, involved in many of ESA’s flagship projects and through its ground station in Kiruna.

The first program to begin operations at Spaceport Esrange will be Europe’s initiative for reusable rocketry, Themis, commissioned by the European Space Agency and led by ArianeGroup. Themis will begin tests of its reusable space launcher demonstrator at the complex in 2023. Meanwhile, SSC are in advanced discussions with several potential rocket partners for future orbital launches from Spaceport Esrange. A first satellite launch is expected by the turn of the year 2023/2024.