Swedish Space Corporation and Luleå University of Technology strengthen space partnership
Swedish Space Corporation (SSC) and Luleå University of Technology have signed a strategic collaboration agreement to further strengthen the synergies between the local space industry and academia in northern Sweden. The focus of the partnership is both the activities at Esrange Space Center and Luleå University of Technology's education and research in the space area. In addition, collaborative efforts will be done in areas such as AI, robotics, materials science and innovation.
Together, the two parties will aim at developing knowledge, ensure qualitative competence and find new innovative solutions that could contribute to sustainable growth and strengthened competitiveness – regionally, nationally and globally. Today, Luleå University of Technology offers Sweden's only master’s program in engineering focused on space technology, as well as several other space programs. Combined with the state-of-the-art operations at Esrange Space Center, northern Sweden strengthens its position as a hub for European space activities.
“I am so glad to announce this collaboration today. There is virtually no place in the world where a research project or a satellite can be developed and then transported 45 minutes to get launched into space. This is possible in the Norrbotten region thanks to regional collaboration between industry, academia and business. We are now taking the next step in utilizing these unique opportunities in order to strengthen Kiruna, Luleå and the entire Norrbotten region as a hub for innovation, sustainable development and space activities,” says Charlotta Sund, CEO at SSC.
“We are very pleased with the deepened partnership. Together with SSC, our university has unique opportunities to ensure high quality in the research and education we offer. At the same time, our education in space engineering systems and atmospheric science will strengthen SSC in a variety of business areas. Together, we can develop new innovations that will ultimately strengthen Sweden and Kiruna as national and regional center points for innovation and space,” says Birgitta Bergvall-Kåreborn, Vice-Chancellor at Luleå University of Technology.
Space plays an important role in the entire Norrbotten region. In addition to SSC, Esrange and Luleå University of Technology, organizations such as the Institute for Space Physics (IRF), the Space High School, the international research facility EISCAT, as well as several private European space companies, are located here.
Contact: Philip Ohlsson, Head of Communications at SSC, +46 (0)70 721 70 26, philip.ohlsson@sscspace.com;
Linda Nilsson, Communications Officer at Luleå University of Technology, +46 (0)92 049 35 02, linda.1.nilsson@ltu.se
About SSC: Swedish Space Corporation helps Earth benefit from Space. Since the 70’s, SSC has helped space organizations, companies, other commercial actors and research institutes to get access to space. Through our local presence on all continents and close to 700 committed employees, we offer specialist expertise in satellite ground station connectivity, spacecraft operations, rocket and balloon systems, launch services, flight test services and data analytics. Among our strongest assets are Esrange Space Center in northern Sweden, set to become first to launch satellites from continental Europe in 2025, as well as our global ground station network for satellite communications: SSC Connect. https://sscspace.com/
About LTU: Luleå University of Technology is expanding rapidly through world-leading competence in several research areas. Both our scientific and artistic research and education are conducted in close collaboration with international, national and regional companies, public actors and leading universities. Luleå University of Technology has a total turnover of 1.9 billion SEK annually. We currently have 1,840 employees and 17,670 students. https://www.ltu.se/en
