Kiruna is often referred to as Sweden’s space capital. This is true, especially following Friday 13th, 2023, when the world watched the inauguration of mainland EU’s first orbital launch site: Spaceport Esrange – an independent European gateway to space.
“Only a handful of countries, about 10 countries in the world, have the capability to launch satellites into orbit. In this context, Sweden now joins this group of countries. It enters the negotiating table for essential questions about how we live our everyday lives here on Earth,“ – Stefan Gardefjord, CEO of SSC.
Following the inauguration of Esrange, the first day of the year’s issue of Sweden’s most significant space conference Rymdforum 2023 was held in Kiruna on March 6th, where Hydromars had the privilege to be part of, thanks to ESA BIC and Arctic Business.
The vast majority of Sweden’s (and not only) key space actors were present to give their pitches and highlight importance of space for Earth concept. Among others, pitch were presented by: Mats Persson, Swedish Minister for Education; Anna Rathsman, Director-General, SNSA; Heriberto Saldivar, Head of the Foresight, Strategy, and Coordination Departments, ESA; Christyl Johnson, Deputy Center Director for Technology and Research Investments at Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA; Rodrigo da Costa, Executive Director EUSPA – EU Agency for the Space Programme; Ella Carlsson, Chief of Space, Swedish Armed Forces; keynote speaker Nils van der Poel, Olympic and World champion and GKN Aerospace Ambassador.
Rymdforum 2023, under the theme From Sweden to Space, is hosted by Luleå University of Technology (LTU) in cooperation with SSC, Institute of Space Physics (IRF), EISCAT Scientific Association, Kiruna municipality, and LTU Business.