Key takeaways from the Swedish Space Conference 2025

The 2025 Swedish Space Conference (Rymdforum) in Trollhättan gathered over 320 participants from across Sweden, the Nordic countries, Europe, the UK, and the United States, making it one of the year’s most significant events for the space industry in Northern Europe. Hosted by Trollhättan municipality and Innovatum Science Park with strong support from GKN Aerospace, the conference offered an intense agenda focused among other things on the rapidly evolving NewSpace area.

Understanding NewSpace: It’s not just about cost

More than a technological trend, NewSpace represents a new business model a service-based, agile, and commercially driven. Presenters emphasized that NewSpace is not defined by cheaper or lower-quality components, but rather by how services are procured and delivered.

A notable example came from Frontgrade Gaisler, who demonstrated that even high-performance, radiation-hardened processors continue to be selected for NewSpace missions. This underlined that success in NewSpace depends on smart engineering choices and rapid iteration, not simply cutting costs.

Sweden at a crossroads in space policy

A striking and recurrent theme throughout the conference was Sweden’s lagging position in space development. A U.S. industry veteran, now residing in Sweden, delivered a stark assessment: Sweden is falling behind, politically and strategically, in supporting the space sector. Despite having competitive companies and strategic assets like Esrange, Sweden reportedly ranks last in Europe when it comes to national-level engagement in space.

Countries like the UK and Finland, and also European Space Agency (ESA) are embracing the NewSpace paradigm, adopting supportive policies, streamlined procurement, and strong public-private initiatives. Sweden has yet to make space a true national priority. The call to action was clear: if Sweden wants to play a serious role in the future of space, it must start by taking the sector even more seriously.

The strategic importance of space sovereignty

Another topic on the agenda was the strategic significance of space. Given the current geopolitical climate, especially for national defense and dual-use applications. Speakers stressed that nearly every technology in orbit today can serve both civilian and military purposes.

For Sweden, geographic advantages and facilities like Esrange provide a unique opportunity to contribute to European and global space capabilities. However, to seize this opportunity, Sweden must simplify its regulatory processes and accelerate decision-making. Maintaining sovereignty and independence in space will depend on it.

Europe’s momentum and the Nordic opportunity

Throughout the conference, it was evident that space is gaining momentum across Europe, with increased investments, new initiatives, and a growing ecosystem of startups and established players alike. Countries like the UK have shown that decisive political support can rapidly transform a nation into a NewSpace leader.

Sweden, with its technical expertise and strategic location, is well-positioned to be part of this movement, but we must act. Aligning with our Nordic neighbors and fostering closer collaboration across the region could be a powerful way forward.

A vital forum for the future

Beyond the panels and presentations, the Swedish Space Conference served a critical role in fostering dialogue, visibility, and collaboration. It underscored the value of gathering the community to exchange ideas, challenge assumptions, and build the networks that will shape the next phase of space exploration and innovation.

Conclusion: A wake-up call for Sweden

The message from the Swedish Space Conference was both inspiring and urgent: the global space industry is accelerating, and Sweden cannot afford to watch from the sidelines. With the right political commitment, policy frameworks, and industry engagement, Sweden can reclaim its place as a serious contender in space.

But the time to act is now!