Sweden opens Mainland Europe’s first satellite tv for pc launch area port | Popgen Tech

Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (L) appears on Friday as European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen delivers a speech on the inauguration of the Spaceport Esrange’s new satellite tv for pc launch ramp exterior Kiruna, Sweden. Photograph by Jonas Ekstroemer/EPA-EFE

The occasion was timed to coincide with Sweden taking up as head of the Council of the European Union.

The power in northern Sweden offers the EU the power to launch satellites, one thing solely round 10 international locations beforehand had the power to do.

“This spaceport provides an unbiased European gateway to area. It’s precisely the infrastructure we’d like, not solely to proceed to innovate, but additionally to additional discover the ultimate frontier,” mentioned Ursula von der Leyen , president of the European Fee, mentioned in the course of the inauguration.

Spaceport Esrange is operated by the state-owned Swedish Area Company, which already operates 10 floor stations strategically positioned all over the world for optimum protection, plus eight complementary associate stations.

The company expects about 10,000 new satellites to be launched worldwide over the subsequent few years, with the entire quantity to exceed 100,000 by 2040. There are roughly 5,000 operational satellites in orbit at the moment.

The brand new facility offers Sweden and the remainder of the EU higher entry to that rising world. It is going to additionally host testing of Europe’s reusable rocket initiative, the European Area Company’s Themis program led by ArianeGroup, in addition to suborbital check launches of a number of next-generation rockets.

“This new launch advanced will assist create a basis for a resilient Europe in Area. New constellations of satellites in orbit, responsive launch capabilities and growth of reusable rockets will allow a protected, aggressive and sustainable Europe. It is going to Europe strengthen,” SSC’s CEO. Stefan Gardefjord mentioned in an announcement.

“It is a big leap for SSC, for Sweden, for Europe and the remainder of the world. Satellites are essential for a lot of capabilities of the every day lives of at the moment’s trendy world, and the necessity for them will solely enhance within the years to return with Area performs an much more necessary function.”

The primary satellite tv for pc launch is predicted to be launched by the tip of the 12 months.

“This main spaceport offers Europe the power to handle this rising demand. The advantages of small satellites, which will be launched from right here, are huge. We have now simply heard that it is very important launch these satellites again and again, to to have the reusability, to check them,” von der Leyen mentioned on Friday.