Swedish Space Strategy: Bet on the space base Esrange – New Technology

       

Space is increasingly important for everyday life. Both individuals and businesses are dependent on satellites for communications, navigation, weather and more.

– Infra structures of the space of the same order as routes. The community hit hard if the space infrastructure wiped out, said Ingemar Skogö, when he today, Wednesday handed over Sweden’s new space strategy for Research Helene Hellmark Knutsson.

She promised to immediately take up the conclusions of the discussion on the Innovation Council meeting.

– We must consider how we can better exploit the potential of space to, among other things, to meet the threat of climate change and strengthen Swedish industry’s innovative strength, she said at the press conference.

In the new space strategy suggests Ingemar Skogö among other things, that the Government appoint a special coordinator to develop space base Esrange near Kiruna launches of small satellites.

– Esrange should be developed to a new level, he said.

This is something the Swedish Space Corporation (formerly SSC), which owns and operates Esrange; already working.

Sweden invests about 1.7 billion annually on space activities. Ingemar Skogö notes that Sweden has a proud tradition as a space nation, but the business needs to be better coordinated so that the community can better benefit from the money spent on space research. That there are shortcomings in the coordination and too few growing companies in the space sector was also raised in a critical report from the National Audit Office, which examined the Swedish Space operations two years ago.

The new strategy proposes closer cooperation between authorities. Space Board need such as greater cooperation with Vinnova to commercialize more ideas born of space research. Sweden should also participate more actively in the EU and ESA programs to develop applications of space technology for social, business and consumers. Even when it comes to military and civilian collaboration is potential for improvement.

In order to implement the proposals suggested to Space Board doubled in size from today about 18 people.