Firefly to Launch Rockets from Sweden Starting in 2026, Targeting the European Market

 

 

 

Firefly Aerospace, an American launch vehicle company, will start launching rockets from the Esrange Space Centre in northern Sweden beginning in 2026.

This collaboration is a strategic decision by Firefly to utilize the Esrange launch site as a bridgehead for launching European government, national security, and commercial satellites.

Firefly plans to conduct NATO-related missions and responsive launches from the Esrange launch site.

Firefly and the Swedish Space Corporation (SSC) announced on June 27 that the Alpha rocket would use the Esrange spaceport as its launch site starting in 2026.

The Alpha rocket is scheduled to use the 3C launch pad, and modifications to the launch pad have already begun.

Both companies stated that they plan to carry out various missions for public, private, and national security sector customers through this cooperation.

In a statement, the Swedish Space Corporation said, "The first launch of the Alpha rocket from the Esrange spaceport will take place in 2026," adding, "This will support commercial customers' missions in the European market and also enhance the security of NATO countries through tactical responsive launches."

The Esrange launch site opened in 1966 and was used for scientific suborbital missions until 2022. The first orbital launch facility opened in January 2023.

Bill Weber, CEO of Firefly, said in a statement, "As the demand from domestic and international launch customers continues to grow, more orbital launch sites are needed worldwide," adding, "Firefly has become the first American launch vehicle company to launch from the European continent in collaboration with SSC."

Meanwhile, Firefly's most recent launch took place in December 2023 at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

At that time, the second stage of the Alpha rocket experienced an issue, placing a Lockheed Martin-commissioned technology demonstration satellite into an incorrect orbit.

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Firefly to Launch Rockets from Sweden Starting in 2026, Targeting the European Market