Tue, 24 Feb 2026

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 Orbital space race heats up in Arctic north

Europe lags far behind the US and China in orbital space launches, but new facilities are opening up.
The new launchpad was inaugurated in early 2023 but faced delays. Two clients, South Korea's Perigee and American company Firefly, are preparing rockets for satellite launches from northern Sweden. SSC is also hosting ground tests for Themis, Europe's first reusable rocket, as well as engine testing for German start-up Isar Aerospace. The global demand for satellites has skyrocketed due to growing internet connections, communications, and mapping needs. The number of satellites in orbit is expected to reach half a million by the end of 2030s, drawing commercial companies into the space industry. Several spaceport projects are underway across Europe, including the Atlantic Spaceport Consortium (ASC) in Portugal's Azores islands, Norway's Andøya Spaceport, and SaxaVord on Scotland's Shetland Islands. However, some competitors have faced setbacks, with Virgin Orbit shutting down after a failed mission from Cornwall in 2023, and Scottish rocket manufacturer Orbex appointing administrators. Experts predict that multiple spaceports will be needed to handle the increasing traffic and provide resilience. Norway's Andøya Spaceport is currently leading the pack, but other sites are expected to join soon.
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