Swedish Space Industry

A competitive Swedish Space Industry

One important goal for the general Swedish space activity is to give good possibilities for a competitive Swedish industry. The work undertaken in different institutionally funded space projects shall contribute to those possibilities and further position the Swedish companies in an international perspective.

Sweden is, to a large extent, focussing its financial resources devoted to space in order to maintain and further strengthen the already established areas of competence among Swedish industry in the space sector. The SNSB strategy also inherits an objective to foster the development of new technologies and products in certain focused areas in order to increase the overall Swedish industry’s technical competence. The companies taking part in space projects will then gain a higher level of knowledge which can be used both in space related activities and other areas of technology. Those companies will also be an attractive partner in larger projects of international nature.

Since a long time Sweden has three large, with Swedish measures, already established space companies: Swedish Space Corporation, RUAG Space AB (former Saab Space) and Volvo Aero Corporation.

Swedish Space Corporation

Swedish Space Corporation, with staff in Stockholm and Kiruna, operates as a small systems integrator. The company constructs and develops small satellite systems and equipment for space crafts and ground stations. Swedish Space Corporation was the prime contractor for the Swedish research satellite Odin and also the ESA-mission SMART-1. The company also act as prime of the multilateral Prisma mission that aims to demonstrate capabilities within formation flying in space.

Swedish Space Corporation also operates Esrange in Kiruna – a centre for satellite control, data acquisition and launch of sounding rockets and balloons.

RUAG Space AB

RUAG Space AB is a supplier of advanced equipment for satellites and launchers in the fields of:

• Computers and data handling systems
• Microwave electronics
• Antennas
• Payload adapters and separation systems
• Satellite structures
• Sounding rocket guidance systems

Volvo Aero Corporation

Volvo aero Corporation is one of Europe’s leading industries within the field of turbines and nozzles for rocket engines, as they develop for the European launcher families Ariane and Vega. The company is very strong in manufacturing processes where the “Sandwich technology” is world unique and constitutes a good example on their excellence.

Swedish SME’s

Apart from the three large space companies mentioned above the industrial landscape in Sweden is also constituted of several highly competitive SME’s. Those companies can generally be characterised to have highly innovative solutions and a great potential. Areas where SNSB have recognised such companies are for example in micro- and nanotechnology, highly miniaturised and integrated power sub-systems and radiometers, green propulsion, GPS/Galileo receivers and fault-tolerant microprocessors.

Swedish Space Companies

A list of Swedish space companies can be found here.