New Launch Site in Arctic Sweden Moves Closer to Reality for European Space Access
Alpha Rocket Infrastructure Complete at Esrange; First Launch Targeted for 2028
Key construction milestones have been met at a new orbital launch complex in northern Sweden, moving Europe closer to having its own dedicated commercial launch capability from the continent.
“Our ‘launch as a franchise’ model provides our nation and allies with the launch site diversification required for resilient, responsive space missions.”
Jason Kim, Firefly Aerospace
Firefly Aerospace and SSC Space announced completion of initial infrastructure at Launch Complex 3C at Esrange Space Center, along with the establishment of transatlantic regulatory frameworks and a new defense agreement with Sweden. Final pad construction is now underway, with the first orbital launch targeted for 2028.
Completed infrastructure at Launch Complex 3C includes a launch control center, payload processing facility, launch vehicle integration building, tracking and control systems, and security and storage facilities. The complex is built to support Firefly’s Alpha rocket, a two-stage vehicle capable of delivering 2,200 pounds (1,000 kg) to low Earth orbit.
“Today we’re celebrating the realization of critical transatlantic partnerships that are enabling Firefly’s global launch expansion strategy, starting in Sweden,” said Jason Kim, CEO of Firefly Aerospace. “We’re proud to partner with SSC Space and work collaboratively with U.S. and Swedish agencies to provide European customers with a dedicated orbital launch capability using our flight-proven Alpha rocket. Our ‘launch as a franchise’ model provides our nation and allies with the launch site diversification required for resilient, responsive space missions.”
A key regulatory milestone was reached in April 2026 when the Swedish National Space Agency and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration signed a Memorandum of Cooperation. The agreement streamlines the launch licensing process for American rockets operating from Swedish soil and establishes a shared framework for commercial space regulations.
That agreement builds on a Technology Safeguards Agreement (TSA) between Sweden and the United States, making Sweden only the sixth country to enter into such an arrangement with the U.S. The TSA provides the legal framework for exporting advanced American space technology to Sweden while protecting sensitive data and technology.
On the customer front, SSC Space recently signed an agreement worth approximately $20.9 million (≈ SEK 209 million) with the Swedish Defense Materiel Administration (FMV), giving the Swedish Armed Forces the ability to launch their own satellites into orbit from Esrange using the Alpha rocket.
“Adding an orbital launch capability to mainland Europe will strengthen the continent’s capabilities and competitiveness in the commercial space arena, while contributing to greater resilience and strategic autonomy within the defense domain,” said Charlotta Sund, CEO and Group President of SSC Space.
Esrange Space Center is located approximately 125 miles (200 kilometers) north of the Arctic Circle, and its high-latitude location makes it well-suited for sun-synchronous and polar orbits in high demand for national security and commercial Earth observation missions.