General Saltzman, the top official of the U.S. Space Force, emphasised the vital role of space in modern society and the importance of continued collaboration between the U.S. and Europe. During his visit, he noted how satellites are essential for critical everyday functions such as GPS navigation, agricultural weather monitoring, and financial transactions, underscoring space as a key domain of modern warfare and national security.
Charlotta Sund, CEO of SSC, highlighted Esrange’s strategic importance as both a civilian research centre and a valuable resource for national defence. She emphasised that the presence of such high-ranking officials from the U.S. and Sweden demonstrated the significance of Esrange’s capabilities and its readiness to support both commercial and military space initiatives.
The visit also provided a platform to discuss Esrange’s role in NATO and international space operations. General Saltzman praised Esrange’s unique terrain advantages, rapid infrastructure development, and ambitious plans to expand from sounding rockets to larger-scale satellite launches. He commended the centre’s efforts to meet the rising demand for space operations, stressing the value of this transatlantic partnership for both nations.
U.S. rocket company Firefly Aerospace, one of the first companies scheduled to launch from Esrange, was also present during the visit. Firefly’s Alpha rocket is expected to support rapid launch operations from continental Europe, enhancing NATO’s space security capabilities and expanding commercial satellite services. Adam Oakes, Firefly’s Vice President of Launch Vehicles, expressed enthusiasm for this collaboration, recognising the strategic support from both SSC and the U.S. Space Force.
Recent investment from the Swedish government—86 million euros—will further develop Sweden’s space infrastructure, facilitating satellite launches within 24 hours. Jonas Wikman, Chief of the Swedish Air Force, remarked on the importance of Esrange as a strategic asset, offering Sweden and its allies crucial access to space for defence and security.
