Sweden sets its eyes on space

A national strategy to increase spending on aerospace technology and satellite data is intended to lift Sweden’s standing in space R&D.

The strategy, launched on 9 May by the Swedish government, foresees more cooperation between the Swedish National Space Board and the Swedish Research Council with a view to boosting innovation in the field. The government also wants to spend more money on recruiting professionals into space science and technology, and on growing the Esrange Space Centre near the town of Kiruna.

Along with such improvements, the government will review laws applying to space data and research, the strategy states. This will be done with a view to how such data can best contribute to Sweden’s Agenda 2030, a plan to improve sustainable development.