Firefly Aerospace to Launch Alpha Rocket from Sweden's Esrange Space Centre in 2026

The Swedish Space Corporation (SSC) and Firefly Aerospace, a U.S. space transportation company, have entered into a landmark agreement to launch Firefly’s Alpha rocket from the Esrange Space Centre in northern Sweden with launches commencing from Esrange's Launch Complex 3C starting in 2026.

Pad modifications are already in progress to facilitate the new operations, with both SSC and Firefly aiming to cater to commercial, civil, and defense customers.

The inaugural Alpha launch is scheduled for 2026, and the new complex will support a wide array of missions. This includes commercial customers in the broader European market and tactically responsive space missions to enhance national security for NATO countries.

“With the inaugural Alpha launch scheduled for 2026, the new complex will support commercial customers in the broader European market and enable tactically responsive space missions to further advance national security for NATO countries.” - SSC

Esrange, operational since 1966, has primarily focused on facilitating sounding rocket launches for microgravity and atmospheric research. The spaceport expanded its capabilities with new orbital launch facilities inaugurated in January 2023.

“We’re pleased to announce this historic collaboration that will have a huge impact on the global launch market, not least in Europe and the U.S. Reducing the current gap of orbital launch sites in Europe, this collaboration strengthens the transatlantic link between Sweden and the U.S. whilst offering unique space capabilities for the Swedish NATO membership. We’re looking forward to releasing this competitive and well-proven launch service at Esrange in northern Europe.” - Charlotta Sund, CEO at SSC

This announcement follows closely on the heels of Firefly's decision to switch its launch site from Cape Canaveral to Wallops Island, Virginia. Firefly also recently secured a multi-launch deal with Lockheed Martin, extending through 2029.

“The future of spaceflight requires more orbital launch sites across the globe as we continue to see growing demand among domestic and international launch customers. Firefly is incredibly humbled to partner with SSC and become the first U.S. company to launch from continental Europe. Together, we’re unlocking a long-awaited capability for the European satellite market, and we invite those waiting to fly with us on our flight-proven Alpha vehicle.” - Bill Weber, CEO at Firefly Aerospace

Firefly's Alpha rocket is slated for its first launch since December, early on July 2. The mission will carry eight CubeSats for the ELaNA 43 (Educational Launch of Nanosatellites 43) mission, part of NASA’s CubeSat Launch Initiative (CSLI). The previous launch in late 2023, which carried a Lockheed Martin technology demonstration payload, faced challenges as the Alpha upper stage failed to relight, leading to the satellite reentering the atmosphere within weeks.

SSC recently entered into its first orbital launch partnership with South Korean rocket company Perigee Aerospace with launches of Perigee’s Blue Whale 1 rocket scheduled to start in 2025.

While Europe has had orbital launch access via French Guiana, hosting Ariane and Vega launches, new sites like Esrange and Andøya Spaceport in Norway are emerging to provide orbital launches from the European mainland. Additionally, SaxaVord Spaceport in Scotland’s Shetland Islands will soon host orbital launches by the German company Rocket Factory Augsburg, further enhancing Europe’s space launch capabilities.