After years of preparation and construction, mainland EU’s first orbital launch complex, Spaceport Esrange, was officially inaugurated today by the Swedish Head of State, King Carl XVI Gustaf, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the Swedish Prime Minister, Ulf Kristersson. Thereby, the European Union introduced a new and long-awaited critical asset to its shared space infrastructure, offering an independent European gateway to Space from northernmost Sweden.

Spaceport Esrange ready for satellite launches

EU, Important, Space/C4ISR / By

“This spaceport offers an independent European gateway to space. It is exactly the infrastructure we need, not only to continue to innovate but also to further explore the final frontier,” said Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission.