Esrange Space Center
Description
Esrange Space Center, operated by the Swedish Space Corporation near Kiruna in Arctic Sweden, is one of the world's most versatile space centers. Operational since 1966, it combines a mature sounding rocket and balloon range with a newly built orbital launch complex, Launch Complex 3, inaugurated in January 2023 as the first satellite launch site in continental EU territory. The orbital complex is designed for small-lift launch vehicles delivering payloads to sun-synchronous and polar/high-inclination orbits; SSC has partnered with Firefly Aerospace and Perigee Aerospace to conduct orbital launches from the site, with a new Orbital Launch Control Center completed and the first orbital launch targeted for the late 2020s. Esrange's remote, unpopulated 5,600 km2 impact and recovery area supports extensive rocket motor/engine testing and reusable rocket demonstrations, including ArianeGroup's Themis testbed. The site's sounding rocket and balloon heritage is extensive: more than 600 sounding rockets launched since 1966 and nearly 700 stratospheric balloons launched since 1974.
Specifications
| Operator | Swedish Space Corporation (SSC) |
|---|---|
| Location | Near Kiruna, northern Sweden, ~200 km north of the Arctic Circle |
| Facility base area | 20 square kilometers |
| Rocket impact/recovery area | 5,600 square kilometers |
| Orbital launch complex | Launch Complex 3 (LC-3), inaugurated January 13, 2023 - first orbital satellite launch site in continental EU |
| Orbital launch vehicle partners | Firefly Aerospace (Alpha), Perigee Aerospace |
| Sounding rocket launches | 600+ since 1966 |
| Stratospheric balloon launches | Nearly 700 since 1974 |
| Founded | 1964 (by ESRO, precursor to ESA); management transferred to SSC in 1972 |
