Europe looks to Nordic space race to scale back U.S. dependence

Two remote spaceports in northern Sweden and Norway are vying to become the first to launch satellites into orbit from mainland Europe, as the continent works to reduce dependence on U.S. space infrastructure.

Growing concerns over U.S. President Donald Trump's “America First” policies and the war in Ukraine have driven European efforts to build greater autonomy in sectors such as defence and space. The urgency has been amplified by fears that Elon Musk, a Trump ally, could curtail Ukraine’s access to SpaceX’s Starlink satellite network, which is critical for the country's communications.

But Europe faces major obstacles. In 2024, the U.S. conducted 154 orbital launches, compared to just three from Europe.

An EU report reveals that Europe made up only 10% of the $143 billion in global public investment in space last year. The rise of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, which are cheaper and offer better connectivity but require large constellations, adds further complexity.

Goldman Sachs estimates that up to 70,000 LEO satellites could be launched globally over the next five years.

“We’ve lost out to Elon Musk, among others, and we clearly need autonomous launch capabilities,” said Andrius Kubilius, the European Commissioner for Defence and Space. He highlighted the strategic importance of developing launch sites in both Sweden and Norway.

Currently, Europe's only spaceport is in French Guiana, nearly 7,000 km from Paris. While Europe’s new Ariane 6 rocket was successfully launched from there earlier this year, its higher costs, lack of reusability, and limited capacity mean it falls short of meeting future commercial and military demands.

That’s where Sweden’s Esrange Space Centre and Norway’s Andøya Spaceport come in.

Strategic Nordic Sites

Located 200 km above the Arctic Circle, Esrange sits near the borders of Sweden, Finland, Norway, and Russia. The site spans 5,200 square kilometres of uninhabited land, shared only with reindeer herds belonging to the indigenous Sami people. Its location, free from light pollution and air traffic, makes it ideal for launching and retrieving rockets. Nearby transport infrastructure and a major iron ore mine in Kiruna provide further advantages.

Lennart Poromaa, head of the Esrange Space Centre, noted the uniqueness of having such a large, isolated area for launches. Established in 1964 and state-owned through the Swedish Space Corporation, Esrange hosted its first research rocket launch shortly after its founding and was officially opened for orbital launches by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in 2023.

Preparations for orbital operations are progressing, with new launch pads, hangars, and research facilities being constructed.

Together with Norway’s Andøya Spaceport, located on an island and majority-owned by the Norwegian state- these sites represent Europe’s most promising options for achieving independent access to space. Defence company Kongsberg owns a 10% stake in Andøya.

In March, Andøya hosted a test launch by German startup ISAR Aerospace. Although the rocket flew for just 30 seconds before splashing down in the sea, the mission was considered a success.

ISAR CEO Daniel Metzler said demand from defence ministries has surged, with flights already booked out years in advance before any successful orbital mission.

Metzler attributed much of this momentum to Trump’s return to office, saying his re-election created a renewed sense of urgency for European defence. “Trump probably did more for European defence than any European politician before him,” explained Metzler.

ISAR plans to begin commercial launches next year.

Tight Timelines and NATO Interest

Andøya, which was recently visited by a NATO delegation, holds a license for 30 launches annually. Esrange has not declared a specific quota but is expected to serve NATO’s needs for rapid deployment capabilities.

Unlike Andøya, Esrange has partnered with established companies like Firefly Aerospace from the U.S. and South Korea’s Perigee, offering multiple launch options. Firefly, aiming to begin launches from Esrange in 2026, provides a rapid-response service capable of deploying rockets within 24 hours- ideal for emergency satellite replacements.

A NATO official noted that Europe must pursue similarly aggressive launch timelines. All launch providers involved are working on reusable rockets, with ISAR planning to test its reusable model at Esrange.

“There’s still a lot to be done,” Poromaa acknowledged. “We need to finalise technical systems and conduct extensive testing, but within a year or so, the base should be fully operational.”

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