US rocket-launch bottleneck worries Sweden, which just launched its first military satellite
Sweden's military launched its first satellite in May 2026, four years ahead of schedule due to the 'severe security situation,' but Rear Adm. Anders Sundeman, the country's space chief, warns that bottlenecks at US and European launch facilities could hinder development of urgently needed orbital capabilities. The satellite, built by Planet Labs, launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Vandenberg AFB. Sweden plans to launch a Finnish-made ICEYE satellite later this year and aims to have 10 operational satellites. To reduce reliance on overbooked US providers, Sweden is developing its Esrange spaceport, which will host its first orbital launch in 2028 via Firefly's Alpha rocket. The article also notes increased Russian GPS jamming over the Baltic Sea and Sweden's 2020 decision to end China's access to its ground stations.
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