Sweden and US Strengthen Orbital Launch Capabilities with Historic Agreement

Sweden and the US have finalized a Technology Safeguards Agreement, allowing US commercial launches from Swedish spaceports. Firefly Aerospace will utilize the Esrange Space Center in Kiruna, Sweden, to launch its Alpha rocket, providing a comprehensive launch service to the European market. The agreement removes regulatory barriers and provides assurance for customers, enabling Firefly to meet the needs of NATO partners and commercial customers. The development at Esrange Space Center is progressing, with tracking and control systems, security facilities, and the Launch Control Center already in place. The agreement was signed on June 20, 2025, at the Embassy of Sweden in Washington D.C. This marks a significant step forward for the European space industry and the partnership between the US and Sweden in space technology.