Further steps for Sweden as a space nation

The Government is implementing investments in the spring amending budget to develop Sweden as a space nation. This involves a total of SEK 400 million in increased appropriations to the Swedish National Space Agency and SSC Space AB.

The Swedish National Space Agency will receive SEK 14 million in increased funding in 2026 to enable increased and legally secure processing of permit cases for space.

"Space was historically an area that only a few players had the opportunity to operate in, but the rapid development of technology has changed that. Today, we see more and more players in space, not least commercial ones. That is why we are now investing resources to achieve a more appropriate permit review. It is a first and necessary step towards a new Swedish Space Act," says Minister for Upper Secondary Education, Higher Education and Research Lotta Edholm. 

Increased investments of SEK 386 million in 2026 for SSC Space AB means that Sweden is taking an important step towards becoming one of the few nations in the world with its own launch capability.

"The investments increase Sweden's ability to launch military and civilian satellites. In the future, the defence of Sweden will be strengthened to a greater extent via space. The addition strengthens both Sweden's and our allies' combined defense capability," says Minister of Defense Pål Jonson.

"Space is important for our security, our international collaborations and for strengthening Swedish technology companies. Esrange in Kiruna is the only operational space base on the entire continent, which is located within the EU. Therefore, we need to strengthen our conditions in the space area," says Minister for Civil Affairs Erik Slottner.

"With this, and the combined investments in the space domain during the term of office, the Sweden Democrats and the government show that we have the ability and resources to strengthen Sweden's role as a prominent space nation and combine national benefits and security with industrial development and innovation. I am pleased about that," says Aron Emilsson, foreign policy spokesperson for the Sweden Democrats.

Investment Swedish National Space Agency

In the spring amending budget, the Swedish National Space Agency is allocated SEK 14 million in 2026 for the development of activities to effectively and legally secure the licensing of permits for space activities.

This is crucial for Sweden to be able to meet the demands and expectations set in the new reality in the space domain, create predictability for business actors and ensure peaceful purposes and sustainable use of space for future generations. In addition, it can strengthen the attractiveness of international space players who seek to invest and establish themselves in Sweden. Developing the permit processes is an important step in the work towards a new space law.

Capital contribution SSC Space AB

Space and the infrastructure that exists there are becoming increasingly important both in military and security policy contexts, and in providing us with necessary everyday services. GPS positioning and navigation are based on a space-based infrastructure. Communication, weather forecasts and time indication are other everyday examples of the role that space infrastructure plays in our lives.

The state-owned company SSC Space AB will also receive a capital injection of SEK 386 million in 2026 in the spring amending budget to be able to respond to the changing international situation and to enable the civilian space base Esrange to constitute an even more central strategic resource for both the EU's and NATO allies' independent access to space, and for Sweden's total defence. The Esrange spaceport in Kiruna is currently the only operational space base in the continental EU. The investments in the spring amending budget strengthen Sweden's space activities with a focus on security and strategic interests.

In line with the defence and security strategy for space, the Government is now implementing historic initiatives to develop Sweden's space capability for total defence. This includes the development of Esrange's launch capability to place satellites in orbit and the acquisition of its own military reconnaissance satellites. In 2024, the Government has advanced with one space billion to develop the Armed Forces' space capability between 2024–2032. In 2026, the government also decided on a timely purchase of SEK 1.3 billion for, among other things, about ten military satellites.

The proposal is based on an agreement between the government and the Sweden Democrats.

Space investments in 2026

Funding for the Swedish National Space Agency SEK 14 million

Funding for SSC SEK 386 million