Sweden is leading in a battle to be the first European space base outside Russia to launch a satellite into orbit
Last modified on Thu 21 Sep 2023 06.43 CESTSweden
Once owned by the European Space and Research Organisation, rebadged in 1975 as the European Space Agency, it is today the property of the SSC, a company wholly owned by the state. This Swedish space centre is leading the pack in a fiercely competitive battle to be the first European base outside Russia from which a satellite is launched into orbit. Technological advances and the emergence of micro-rockets have made it possible. A cast of aspirants to be Europe’s “first” are gearing up.Photograph: US Marines/Zuma Press Wire Service/Shutterstock
The lack of capacity has emerged at a time when there has been an exponential increase in the number of satellite launches globally. In 2022, there were an estimated 6,905 active satellites orbiting Earth – an increase of 2,105 on the previous year. It is estimated 50 satellites are being launched every week to cater for telecommunications, internet infrastructure, Earth observation capabilities and national security demands.
Mechanical engineers work on the SubOrbital Express rocket in the dome building at the Esrange Space Center.But in April, the Norwegian authorities issued an angry statement when an Esrange research rocket malfunctioned and landed in its territory. A cynic might suspect that Norway, with its rival ambitions, had good reason to make a fuss. Gustafsson is diplomatic. “It was really not a danger for anyone,” he said.
Richard Branson’s Virgin Orbit mission had relied on a converted Boeing 747, Cosmic Girl, hitting high speeds before releasing LauncherOne, which was carrying nine satellites. The rocket“We’re not using the flight operations that the UK did,” said Gustafsson. “Branson’s Virgin Orbit was using rockets under an aeroplane. That’s OK for flight up to space and back, like with ‘sounding’ rockets. The speed of such a vehicle is up to three and a half kilometres per second.
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