On Wednesday, September 9, 2026, Swedish space services company SSC Space and American launch service provider Firefly Aerospace announced a multi-launch contract for two Alpha rocket missions from the Esrange Space Center in Kiruna, Sweden.
Targeted to launch in 2028, the missions will deploy payloads for Swedish national security institutions as well as commercial rideshare customers, establishing a commercial orbital launch capacity from continental Europe.
Program History and Bilateral Regulatory Context
The contract expands the long-term strategic partnership between Firefly Aerospace and SSC Space, building directly upon the signing of the U.S.-Sweden Technology Safeguards Agreement (TSA) at the Swedish Embassy in Washington. The TSA provided the required legal, technical, and non-proliferation framework for U.S. commercial launch vehicles and sensitive missile technology to be exported and operated on European soil.
Under the partnership’s “launch as a franchise” operational framework, SSC Space has secured full payload capacity across both missions, allowing the organization to allocate volume to institutional European customers, defense allies, and commercial satellite developers. The contract fulfills long-term planning that began with the inauguration of Spaceport Esrange as Europe’s mainland orbital launch complex.
Alpha Launch Vehicle and Launch Complex 3C Specifications
Under the agreement, Firefly’s Alpha rocket will launch from Launch Complex 3C at Esrange Space Center. SSC Space and Firefly have completed major ground infrastructure upgrades to support high-cadence orbital operations, including the launch control center, payload processing facility, vehicle integration building, tracking systems, and security storage units.
Key parameters of the Alpha launch system and spaceport infrastructure include:
- Medium-Lift Payload Capacity: Engineered to deliver up to 1,000 kilograms to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and 630 kilograms to a 500-kilometer Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO).
- Carbon-Composite Architecture: Utilizes carbon-composite structures across both stages to reduce dry mass, powered by Firefly’s tap-off cycle Reaver engines on Stage 1 and a vacuum-optimized Lightning engine on Stage 2.
- Launch Complex 3C Integration: Features dedicated orbital integration halls and cleanrooms engineered to support complex multi-satellite payload dispensers and rideshare missions.
- Polar and SSO Access: Operating from 67°N latitude in Arctic Sweden provides direct access to polar and sun-synchronous orbits without requiring energy-intensive orbital inclination maneuvers.
European Launch Autonomy and Defense Resilience
The addition of commercial orbital launch capabilities at Esrange addresses a multi-year deficit in European domestic launch availability. Following European launch access constraints, institutions across Europe have sought resilient, domestic orbital access to deploy sovereign Earth observation, tactical communications, and national security payloads.
Establishing an operational small-lift capability in Sweden provides NATO allies and European Union member states with launch site diversification. By distributing orbital launch capabilities across North America and Arctic Europe, defense institutions enhance operational resilience against potential localized ground disruptions or geopolitical conflicts.
Executive Leadership Viewpoints
“This contract validates the demand from European customers for long-awaited orbital launch capabilities directly from mainland Europe,” stated Jason Kim, Chief Executive Officer of Firefly Aerospace. “These first two missions are just the start of a long-term, multi-launch partnership with SSC Space that will provide assured access to space for years to come with our proven Alpha rocket. As part of our ‘launch as a franchise’ model, this partnership serves the critical needs of SSC Space’s government and commercial customers and provides our nation and NATO allies with the launch site diversification required for resilient, responsive space missions.”
“This agreement underscores the strategic value of the transatlantic space capabilities we are building together with Firefly,” said Charlotta Sund, President and Chief Executive Officer of SSC Space. “Adding an orbital launch capability to mainland Europe strengthens the continent’s capabilities and competitiveness in the commercial space arena, while contributing to greater resilience and strategic autonomy within the defense domain. As demand grows, we look forward to expanding this relationship with Firefly to serve our end customers over the long term and advance our shared space capabilities.”
Target Launch Timeline and Spaceport Completion
With major ground infrastructure, tracking networks, and control centers fully constructed at Esrange, engineering teams from SSC Space and Firefly Aerospace are executing final pad construction at Launch Complex 3C. Launch vehicle integration and initial pad fit-checks will proceed through 2027 ahead of the inaugural Alpha orbital launch from Sweden in 2028.
