Sweden to open vertical spaceport
Sweden is set to open the first vertical spaceport on European soil tomorrow to take the lead on the development of reusable rocket systems similar to those used by SpaceX.
The inauguration of the Esrange Space Centre in northern Sweden will be attended by Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, highlighting the key role of space in the region. The centre will by opened by the Swedish head of state, King Carl XVI Gustaf.
The event will take place in the city of Kiruna in the north of the country as Sweden takes over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
The orbital launch facility at Esrange is a long-awaited critical asset, says Stefan Gardefjord, CEO of the Swedish Space Corporation (SSC). This will offer an independent European gateway to space, supplementing and strengthening current European capabilities in French Guiana.
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Over 10,000 new satellites are expected to be launched over the next few years, and by 2040 the total number of satellites could reach 100,000, up from 5,000 operational satellites in orbit today.
Reusable rockets
The site already launches sounding rockets and stratospheric balloons, but it will be the centre for testing the Themis rocket being developed by ArianeGroup for the European Space Agency (ESA). The Themis reusable space launcher demonstrator will begin tests at Spaceport Esrange in 2023, starting with first-stage tests aiming to achieve vehicle liftoff and recovery – known as “hop tests”, as part of the EU funded Salto project.
The spaceport will also host suborbital test launches of several next generation rockets
“This new launch complex will help creating a foundation for a resilient Europe in Space. New satellite constellations in orbit, responsive launch capabilities and development of reusable rocketry will enable a secure, competitive and sustainable Europe. This will make Europe stronger,“ said Gardefjord.
“This is a giant leap for SSC, for Sweden, for Europe and the rest of the world. Satellites are decisive for many functions of the daily lives of today’s modern world, and the need for them will only increase in the years to come with Space playing an even more important role,” he said.
The first satellite launch from the Esrange Space Centre is expected late 2023. This follows the failure of Virgin Orbit to launch nine small satellites from Spaceport Cornwall via a 747 jumbo jet.
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