Sweden launched its first military satellite on Sunday from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California via SpaceX, according to the Swedish Armed Forces. The satellite is the first of about ten intended to map military targets in Russia and aid in aiming long-range weapons, the military said.
The satellite is about the size of a washing machine, according to Anders Sundeman, the space chief of the Swedish Armed Forces. It takes roughly one and a half hours to orbit Earth, and can be steered to avoid collisions, Sundeman said. At a press conference, he noted that the satellite offers constant surveillance capability over extended ranges, enabling the military to control and prioritize imagery intelligence. Sundeman added that the satellite provides persistent monitoring of large areas, enabling long-distance target identification. Details on the satellite's sensors and its cost have not been made public.
Planet Labs will assist the Swedish Armed Forces in operating the satellite during its first year, Sundeman announced. During this period, Swedish operators will undergo training to eventually take full control. The satellite will be managed from a Space Operation Center in Uppsala, which can be relocated depending on the conflict situation, according to the military. Swedish satellites will not carry offensive weaponry, the military stated.
Within two years, Sweden plans to have approximately ten military satellites in orbit, Sundeman said. He described the timeline as exceptionally compressed, reflecting a pressing security requirement. As Sweden acquires new weapons with longer ranges, he noted, there is a direct need for intelligence and targeting data at greater distances. The accelerated schedule underscores the urgency of enhancing national surveillance capabilities. The exact launch dates for the additional satellites have not been disclosed.
The planned constellation of ten satellites will not provide complete coverage but will fill gaps in NATO's existing satellite network, according to the Swedish Armed Forces. Sweden's recent NATO membership extends its defense responsibilities to the alliance's outer borders, and the satellites will support surveillance in these expanded areas, the military said.
Sundeman described the satellite launch as a significant enhancement of Sweden's military capabilities. He observed that nations are increasingly developing offensive space capabilities, making space a domain of growing relevance.