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Nordic spaceports poised to boost Europe’s launch autonomy amid US tech dominance

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Two remote spaceports in Sweden and Norway are emerging as Europe’s top hopes for reducing dependence on U.S.-based space technology, as the continent struggles to establish sovereign access to orbit amid global tensions and rapid technological shifts.

The Esrange Space Center in northern Sweden and the Andøya Spaceport in northern Norway are racing to become the first mainland European sites to launch satellites into orbit. Their development comes amid fears over potential access limits to SpaceX’s Starlink network, which has proven critical to Ukraine’s war effort — and as European officials worry about geopolitical risks tied to U.S. tech dominance.

“We’ve lost competition to Elon Musk… we need autonomous launch capabilities,” said Andrius Kubilius, European Commissioner for Defence and Space.

Massive launch gap

The urgency is underscored by the scale of the gap: U.S. space launches hit 154 in 2024, while Europe managed just three. Europe accounted for only 10% of global public space investment ($143 billion) last year, according to an EU study.

This disparity is especially critical in the era of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, which are cheaper and offer superior connectivity, but must be deployed in massive numbers. Goldman Sachs predicts 70,000 LEO satellites will be launched globally in the next five years.

Europe’s lone spaceport can’t keep pace

Currently, Europe’s only launch facility is in French Guiana, 7,000 km from Paris. It successfully launched the long-delayed Ariane 6 rocket earlier this year — over five years behind schedule. But the Ariane 6 is not reusable, has a higher per-launch cost than SpaceX’s Falcon 9, and lacks capacity for Europe’s growing commercial and defense needs.

Nordic alternatives offer rare geographic advantages

Located above the Arctic Circle, Esrange offers 5,200 km² of uninhabited land, ideal for launch recovery and safety. It’s surrounded by reindeer pastures, mountains, and bogland, and has nearby rail and airport access via Kiruna, a mining town.

Meanwhile, Andøya — an island base partially owned by Norwegian defense contractor Kongsberg — already conducted a successful test flight with German startup ISAR Aerospace. Although the rocket only flew for 30 seconds before splashing into the sea, it was considered a promising start.

ISAR has seen a surge in demand from European defense ministries, which CEO Daniel Metzler links directly to Donald Trump’s re-election bid:

“Trump probably did more for European defence than any European politician… it created a huge sense of urgency.”

ISAR’s first commercial launches are expected in 2025, with Esrange providing additional test capacity for its partially reusable rockets.

Aggressive expansion planned

  • Esrange has partnered with U.S.-based Firefly and South Korea’s Perigee, diversifying its launch options.

  • Firefly offers 24-hour launch readiness for rapid satellite replacement — a capacity NATO officials say Europe must emulate.

A NATO delegation recently visited Andøya, which has already secured a 30-launch-per-year license. Esrange has yet to set a cap but is expected to match or exceed that number in the coming years.

“Europe needs more aggressive timelines,” one anonymous NATO official told Reuters.

Still a long road ahead

Despite progress, major technical and infrastructure work remains before full orbital capability is achieved.

“There’s a lot of testing and trialling to be done,” said Lennart Poromaa, head of Esrange. “Within a year, we’ll probably have the entire base ready.”

Europe’s space race is no longer a science experiment — it’s a geopolitical imperative, with the Arctic launch pads offering one of the continent’s best hopes of securing strategic autonomy in orbit.

Airbus, Thales, and Leonardo Plan New European Satellite Venture Amid Industry Challenges

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INTRODUCTION:
European aerospace giants Airbus, Thales, and Leonardo are reportedly in discussions to establish a joint satellite venture, codenamed “Project Bromo.” This ambitious initiative aims to challenge Elon Musk’s Starlink network and reshape Europe’s satellite sector, which has struggled with losses and competitive pressures from low-cost satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO).

KEY DETAILS

  1. Project Bromo – A European Satellite Champion:
    • The venture, modeled on missile maker MBDA, envisions a standalone entity combining satellite assets rather than a traditional acquisition structure.
    • This collaborative effort seeks to leverage the strengths of the three companies to create a scalable and competitive European satellite enterprise.
    • Leonardo CEO Roberto Cingolani confirmed discussions about adopting the MBDA model but noted governance structures may vary.
  2. Strategic Drivers:
    • Europe’s leading satellite makers, traditionally focused on high-complexity geostationary orbit spacecraft, are adapting to the rapid rise of smaller, cost-efficient satellites in LEO.
    • Cingolani emphasized that satellites could account for 75% of the space economy in the future, highlighting the need for Europe to stay competitive in this evolving market.
  3. Job Cuts Across the Industry:
    • Parallel to the satellite initiative, Airbus plans to cut up to 2,500 jobs in its Defence and Space division, representing 7% of its workforce, by mid-2026.
    • Thales has announced plans to reduce 1,300 space-related positions as part of restructuring efforts.
    • Most Airbus cuts are expected in its €2 billion space systems business, with reductions likely in France, Germany, the UK, and Spain.
  4. Historical Challenges:
    • The European space industry has long discussed restructuring but has faced delays due to competition concerns and governance complexities.
    • Despite previous attempts, including Airbus’ 2001 pledge to restructure the space industry after forming MBDA, substantial progress has been elusive.
  5. Timeline and Implications:
    • Project Bromo is still in early stages and could take years to materialize.
    • If successful, the joint venture would provide Europe with a robust satellite manufacturing entity capable of competing with global players like Starlink.

MARKET AND COMPETITION

  • Global Satellite Trends: The space economy is shifting toward LEO satellites, driven by demand for affordable, scalable solutions for global internet connectivity and communication.
  • Challenges from Starlink: SpaceX’s Starlink dominates the LEO market with its extensive satellite network, presenting a formidable challenge to European firms.
  • European Collaboration: The MBDA-inspired model may allow for better resource pooling and coordinated competition, reducing fragmentation in the European satellite market.

CONCLUSION

Project Bromo represents a significant step toward strengthening Europe’s position in the satellite industry. However, its success depends on overcoming technical and governance hurdles and aligning the diverse interests of Airbus, Thales, and Leonardo. Simultaneously, widespread job cuts underscore the challenges facing the European space sector as it navigates competitive pressures and structural realignments.

Eutelsat Launches First Satellites After Merger Using SpaceX Rocket

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Eutelsat, the world’s third-largest satellite operator by revenue, successfully launched 20 satellites on Sunday using Elon Musk’s SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The launch from California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base marked the company’s first major satellite deployment since the merger of Eutelsat and Britain’s OneWeb in September last year.

Eutelsat CEO Eva Berneke expressed optimism about the launch, highlighting the company’s plan to continue deploying satellites in the coming years. The Paris-based company now operates a constellation of over 600 low Earth orbit satellites, catering to broadcasters, telecom companies, and radio stations.

“We aim to integrate more closely into the telecommunications ecosystem,” Berneke said, noting that while satellites remain a niche in the broader connectivity landscape, they play an essential role. Telecom operators, including France’s Orange and Australia’s Telstra, are among Eutelsat’s clients, with discussions ongoing with U.S. operators such as AT&T.

Eutelsat has a $4 billion backlog of orders, with expectations to expand services in markets like India and Saudi Arabia. India, a rapidly growing market expected to reach $1.9 billion by 2030, is in the process of opening up to satellite services, though it faces regulatory challenges with domestic players like Starlink. Berneke stated that Eutelsat is ready to act once India allows satellite services, with plans for immediate expansion.

Additionally, Eutelsat is exploring opportunities to provide in-flight connectivity for aviation companies, offering services like internet browsing. The company expects its revenue to grow starting next year as these projects come to fruition.