As early as 2010, plans to start launching satellites from the Esrange space base outside Kiruna were mentioned.
After twelve years of sketching, planning, financing work and construction, the ramp is now ready to be inaugurated.
It will be continental Europe's first facility for launching satellites to go by the name Spaceport Esrange.
The opening event will take place in connection with Sweden taking over the EU presidency in Kiruna.
The king cuts the ribbon
King Carl XVI Gustaf, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as well as other European and Swedish political dignitaries will come to Esrange to cut the ribbon.
The market for launching small satellites is said to be bright.
Around 10,000 new satellites are expected to be launched in the next few years, and by 2040 the total number of satellites could reach as many as 100,000 – comparable to the 5,000 functional satellites operating in our orbits today.
This is stated by the Swedish space company SSC in a press release.
- This is a huge step for SSC and Sweden, but also for Europe and the rest of the world.
Satellites are absolutely crucial for the modern everyday life we live today, and the need will only increase in the coming years as space grows on all fronts, says Stefan Gardefjord, CEO of SSC.
Then the first satellite is expected to be launched
There is still a piece of the puzzle missing before the launches can begin.
Now SSC is negotiating with satellite owners and rocket manufacturers about future launches and tests at the facility.
The first satellite launch is expected at the end of 2023.