SSC and Firefly Aerospace plan joint satellite launches from Esrange

SSC and Firefly Aerospace plan joint satellite launches from Esrange
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jul 01, 2024
Swedish Space Corporation (SSC) and U.S. space transportation company Firefly Aerospace have entered into a collaborative agreement to launch satellites using Firefly's Alpha rocket from Esrange Space Center in Sweden, starting in 2026. This partnership aims to establish a new orbital launch service in Europe, utilizing a flight-proven launch vehicle to support commercial, civil, and defense sectors.

"We're pleased to announce this historic collaboration that will have a huge impact on the global launch market, not least in Europe and the U.S.," said Charlotta Sund, CEO at SSC. "Reducing the current gap of orbital launch sites in Europe, this collaboration strengthens the transatlantic link between Sweden and the U.S. whilst offering unique space capabilities for the Swedish NATO membership. We're looking forward to releasing this competitive and well-proven launch service at Esrange in northern Europe."

Esrange, owned and operated by SSC, has been operational since 1966, primarily supporting sounding rocket launches for microgravity and atmospheric research. With newly expanded infrastructure, Esrange now supports satellite launches, significantly contributing to the orbital launch capabilities in Europe.

Under the agreement with SSC, Firefly's Alpha rocket will launch from Esrange Launch Complex 3C, where pad modifications are already in progress. The first Alpha launch is scheduled for 2026, aiming to support commercial customers across Europe and enable tactically responsive space missions to enhance national security for NATO countries.

"The future of spaceflight requires more orbital launch sites across the globe as we continue to see growing demand among domestic and international launch customers," said Bill Weber, CEO at Firefly Aerospace. "Firefly is incredibly humbled to partner with SSC and become the first U.S. company to launch from continental Europe. Together, we're unlocking a long-awaited capability for the European satellite market, and we invite those waiting to fly with us on our flight-proven Alpha vehicle."

This new launch service at Esrange will build on Firefly's successful orbital Alpha missions from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California and supplement its new launch capability at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport on Wallops Island, Virginia. Alpha, capable of carrying 1,030 kg to low-Earth orbit, recently launched a responsive space mission for the U.S. Space Force on a 24-hour notice, continuing to serve both government and commercial customers.