SSC Space and Firefly Aerospace Meet Next Critical Milestone for Orbital Launch from Esrange Space Center
Credit: SSC Space
SSC Space and Firefly Aerospace (Nasdaq: FLY) celebrate the completion of critical milestones, including building initial infrastructure, establishing transatlantic regulatory frameworks, and securing an agreement with the Swedish Defense Materiel Administration. The companies are now taking the next step towards orbital launch from SSC Space’s Esrange Space Center and undergoing final construction of the pad at Launch Complex 3C with the first launch targeted for 2028.
Key infrastructure development to date includes completing the launch control center, payload processing facility, launch vehicle integration building, tracking and control systems, and security and storage facilities at Launch Complex 3C. Built to support Firefly’s Alpha rocket, the orbital launch complex will expand critical access to space from mainland Europe.
“Today we’re celebrating the realization of critical transatlantic partnerships that are enabling Firefly’s global launch expansion strategy, starting in Sweden,” said Jason Kim, CEO of Firefly Aerospace. “We’re proud to partner with SSC Space and work collaboratively with U.S. and Swedish agencies to provide European customers with a dedicated orbital launch capability using our flight-proven Alpha rocket. Our ‘launch as a franchise’ model provides our nation and allies with the launch site diversification required for resilient, responsive space missions.”
A Memorandum of Cooperation between the Swedish National Space Agency and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was recently signed in April 2026. This landmark agreement streamlines the launch licensing process and establishes a shared understanding of commercial space regulations, enabling the launch of American rockets like Alpha from Sweden.
This regulatory milestone builds upon the Technology Safeguards Agreement (TSA) signed between Sweden and the United States, making Sweden only the sixth country to enter into such agreement with the U.S. The TSA provides the essential legal framework for exporting advanced U.S. space technology to Sweden while ensuring the protection of sensitive technology and data.
“Adding an orbital launch capability to mainland Europe will strengthen the continent’s capabilities and competitiveness in the commercial space arena, while contributing to greater resilience and strategic autonomy within the defense domain,” said Charlotta Sund, CEO and Group President of SSC Space. “Together with Firefly, we expand the transatlantic link which is so crucial to advancing our shared space capabilities.”
From a customer standpoint, SSC Space recently signed a SEK 209 million agreement with the Swedish Defense Materiel Administration (FMV) to provide the Swedish Armed Forces the ability to launch their own satellites into orbit from Esrange Space Center with Firefly’s rocket Alpha.
Owned and operated by SSC Space, Esrange Space Center is located approximately 200 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle. Launch Complex 3C is part of the newly established Spaceport at Esrange that supports Firefly's Alpha rocket, a two-stage responsive launch vehicle capable of delivering 1,000 kg to low Earth orbit. Esrange’s high-latitude location makes it ideal for reaching sun-synchronous and polar orbits in high demand for national security and commercial missions.