By Sarah Cope | 2026-02-04

Sweden and the United States have deepened their collaboration in space exploration, technology and research through a series of agreements aimed at advancing both nations' capabilities.

In December, Swedish Minister for Defense Pål Jonson signed an extension of the long-standing framework agreement on space cooperation, which dates from October 2005, aimed at advancing scientific and technological collaboration.

The agreement reinforces joint research and innovation that ranges from civil space science to dual-use technologies supporting defense and security.

It also enhances Sweden’s role as a partner in key space sectors and underlines a mutual commitment to promoting international peace and crisis preparedness.

In his comments on the agreement, Johnson pointed to the key role space will play in overall defense for Sweden, noting that "space technologies strengthen our military capabilities and the resilience of our total defense."

"By continued cooperation with the United States and actively supporting the growth of Swedish space companies, we secure both Sweden’s security and our long-term competitiveness," he said.

Northern launch site

Earlier in 2025, Sweden and the United States signed a Technology Safeguard Agreement (TSA), creating the legal and technical framework for US companies to export advanced space technologies to Sweden.

The agreement expanded US manufacturers' ability to share information and allowed US commercial launch vehicles to operate from Sweden’s Esrange Space Center in Kiruna.

It also facilitated cooperation on innovative propulsion technologies.

The Swedish National Space Agency (SNSA) is moving toward options that replace toxic hydrazine-based fuels with safer alternatives, to further commercial competitiveness and reduce the environmental impact of space technology.

The TSA positions Sweden as one of the few nations around the world with access to US launch vehicles, primarily the Firefly Aerospace Alpha rocket.

The agreement ensures proper protection of critical US intellectual property while also empowering Sweden to develop cutting-edge launch capabilities, as well as creating launch capabilities on European soil.

At present, European launch capabilities operate from the European Space Agency’s Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana.

The spaceport’s location in the South American country, 500km north of the equator, helps launches take advantage of the Earth’s natural rotation.

But diversification of launch infrastructure will be essential to Europe and NATO’s growing space ambitions and security operations.

Allied deterrence and defense

Situated 200km north of the Arctic Circle, Esrange is located in an area with a stable climate and proximity to the Arctic.

It offers a remote 5,200-square-km rocket landing zone, and its antennae can communicate more easily with satellites orbiting the north pole than with infrastructure located closer to the equator.

Esrange’s location offers strategic value that supports early warning and space monitoring functions critical for NATO members and partners, as adversaries continue to harden their military posture in space.

In 2024, US Space Force Gen. Chance Saltzman’s visit to Esrange underscored its strategic importance for satellite launches and allied access to space.

As Russia and China have advanced counter-space efforts, closer US-Sweden cooperation helps bolster allied deterrence and defense in space.

During 2025, space observers raised the alarm about Russia’s use of Matryoshka ("nesting doll") satellites that can release smaller, sub-satellites to stalk and potentially attack orbiting satellites.

Meanwhile, Chinese satellites have been observed practicing "dogfighting" techniques, which could be used to destroy other nations’ satellites.