SSC Space and Firefly Aerospace plan to conduct the first orbital launch from Sweden's Esrange spaceport in 2028, marking a major milestone for European spaceflight infrastructure. The Swedish Space Corporation and the Texas-based launch provider have established this timeline as they prepare ground systems and conduct final testing at the northern Swedish facility.
Esrange, located near Kiruna in Swedish Lapland, has long served as a sounding rocket and suborbital test site. This orbital launch agreement transforms it into an operational spaceport for small-to-medium lift vehicles. Firefly's Alpha rocket will be the inaugural vehicle to lift off from the site, carrying payloads to orbit from European soil at high latitudes.
The partnership leverages Firefly's proven launch capabilities with SSC Space's established infrastructure and regulatory expertise. Esrange's northern location offers distinct advantages for polar and sun-synchronous orbit insertions, opening new pathways for Earth observation, communications, and science missions. The high-latitude launch site reduces range safety constraints compared to equatorial or mid-latitude facilities.
This development addresses a long-standing gap in European launch capacity. While ESA operates Arianespace from French Guiana in South America, having a dedicated European orbital launch site strengthens the continent's space independence. Sweden's participation underscores northern Europe's growing role in the commercial space sector.
The 2028 target requires completing infrastructure modifications, range certification, and regulatory approvals across multiple Swedish and European agencies. Firefly must also finalize ground support equipment integration and conduct launch rehearsals. Success depends on meeting development milestones for both the spaceport and the Alpha rocket program.
Additional orbital launches are anticipated following the inaugural mission, establishing Esrange as a recurring launch site. This capability enables European companies and space agencies to access orbit without relying entirely on foreign launch providers,