Sweden Explores Satellite Launches with Gripen Fighter Jets

Recently, it became public knowledge that the Swedish Air Force has begun studying the possibility of developing responsive space launch capabilities using the Saab Gripen fighter aircraft.

*A group of Swedish JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets. Credits: Antonia Sehlstedt/Försvarsmakten*

The concept is not new. Both private companies and military entities from various countries have explored or developed concepts for launching satellites from airborne platforms. However, due to the geopolitical situation, this news could be a further concrete step for the European country towards developing its own Defense Space Strategy.

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New threats, new requirements

The project, named Stella, was unveiled by Col. Ella Carlsson, head of the Swedish Air Force. The study is being conducted by the Air Force in collaboration with the Swedish Defense Research Agency.

According to Carlsson, the KTH Royal Institute of Technology has already conducted an initial study on a possible mission of this kind, suggesting that an air-launched rocket could deploy a 2 kg satellite into low Earth orbit. The launch platform used would be the JAS 39E Gripen, produced by Saab. This aircraft has already demonstrated significant flexibility, capable of operating in all conditions, including taking off from unprepared public roads.

*Swedish Gripen jets practise landing on highways. Credits: NATO*

This is not the first Swedish step towards a quick implementation of space Rapid Response capabilities, pushing the country ahead of any other in Europe. The Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the consequent entrance into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), have been significant boosts for the rapid strengthening of the country’s defensive capabilities.

In June of this year, the Swedish Space Corporation (SSC) signed significant agreements with the US company Firefly and the South Korean company Perigee to initiate the orbital launch of satellites from the new spaceport at Esrange Space Center. Firefly, in particular, will provide its rapid response capabilities, which have already been extensively demonstrated with its Alpha rocket.

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Previous experiments

As previously mentioned, the idea of launching satellites into orbit from aircraft is not new. Virgin Orbit, part of the Virgin Group, developed a system to launch up to 300 kg of payload using a specially modified Boeing 747. The company conducted six launches between 2020 and 2023 before shutting down due to bankruptcy in March of last year.

Virgin Orbit's LauncherOne rocket during a captive carry test under the left wing of Cosmic Girl. Image credit: Virgin Orbit — *Virgin Orbit’s LauncherOne rocket during a captive carry test under the left wing of Cosmic Girl. Credits: Virgin Orbit*

Sweden is not the first in Europe to consider using fighter jets to launch satellites into space. For example, in 2019 the Italian Air Force launched a study to explore the possibility of launching small satellites with the Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft.

In the coming years, with the rapid evolution of global tensions, and a return to strong rearmament, even in space, we will likely see a race to develop new responsive launch capabilities.

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