As global tensions reshape the geopolitics of space, Europe is turning north to strengthen its strategic autonomy, with Sweden and Norway emerging as frontrunners in a new wave of satellite launch capabilities.
In a significant shift aimed at reducing dependence on American space infrastructure, Europe is accelerating efforts to build its own launch capabilities on the continent focusing especially on new facilities in the Nordic region.
This push comes amid rising security concerns and renewed urgency in response to shifting global dynamics, including increasing reliance on Elon Musk’s SpaceX and the geopolitical fallout of the Ukraine war.
The EU’s overreliance on foreign launch providers particularly U.S.-based SpaceX has drawn concern among European defense and policy leaders. Europe’s space ambitions have been hamstrung by delays to its Ariane 6 launch vehicle, limited orbital launch capacity, and growing fears that political shifts in Washington could jeopardize European access to vital launch services.
Compounding the issue, SpaceX's role in the Ukraine conflict through its Starlink satellite system has highlighted the geopolitical risks of outsourcing satellite infrastructure to a single foreign player. European Commissioner Andrius Kubilius voiced the concern plainly: “We’ve lost the competition to Elon Musk… We need autonomous launching capabilities.”
Two new launchpads in Sweden and Norway are poised to change that narrative.
Esrange Space Center – Kiruna, Sweden
Operated by the Swedish Space Corporation (SSC), Esrange is located in the Arctic Circle and boasts vast uninhabited land ideal for orbital launches and rocket recovery. A key advantage is the spaceport's ability to support rapid deployment and small satellite missions, which are increasingly in demand in both commercial and defense sectors.
Esrange has partnered with global companies like Firefly Aerospace (U.S.) and South Korea’s Perigee Aerospace, targeting launches that could be executed within 24 hours in high-risk or emergency scenarios.
Andoya Spaceport – Andoya, Norway
Further west, Andøya Spaceport is being positioned as one of Europe’s most promising commercial launch hubs. Backed by the Norwegian government, the site recently saw a successful suborbital test by Germany’s ISAR Aerospace. The company aims to deliver small payloads to low Earth orbit (LEO) and compete directly with SpaceX’s smaller offerings.
The spaceport has a license for up to 30 launches a year and is working to finalize its infrastructure for full commercial operations.
The urgency to boost Europe’s capacity is underscored by the exploding demand for LEO satellites. With projections indicating that the number of satellites in orbit will swell to over 70,000 by 2030, Europe’s current output just three orbital launches in 2024 compared to the U.S.’s 154—falls woefully short.
Despite a global space sector that saw over $143 billion in public investments in 2024, Europe received just 10% of the funding. ESA officials and EU policymakers are calling for more aggressive investments to catch up, not only in hardware but also in operational logistics and launch cadence.
At the heart of this space race is a broader question of sovereignty. Europe's vulnerability to U.S. launch dominance, especially in sensitive areas like defense, communications, and surveillance, has become increasingly untenable. That reality was made stark during the Ukraine war, where Europe had to rely on SpaceX to maintain secure communications.
European officials are now viewing the ability to launch from home soil as a matter of national and regional security, not just economic competitiveness.
Both Nordic spaceports still face technical and bureaucratic hurdles before they can begin regular operations. But the momentum is building. European start-ups like ISAR Aerospace and Rocket Factory Augsburg are aiming to launch their first commercial payloads within the next 12 to 18 months.
At the same time, the European Space Agency (ESA) is doubling down on reusable rocket development, regulatory reform, and private-public partnerships to enhance launch self-reliance.
If successful, the Nordic initiatives could mark the beginning of a new chapter for Europe's space sector one where the continent no longer looks across the Atlantic for a ride to orbit, but instead builds its own launch pads, rockets, and future.