Swedish Space Corporation

What Swedish Space Corporation does

SSC Space (formerly Swedish Space Corporation, Rymdbolaget) is a Swedish state-owned, privately held space services company founded in 1972 and headquartered in Solna, with approximately 750 employees operating across subsidiaries in Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Chile, Australia, and Thailand. The company provides end-to-end space services spanning four lines: Science and Launch Services (sounding rockets, stratospheric balloons, payload development, student programs); Ground Station Services (a global network of 11 owned and 10 partner stations supporting LEOP, on-orbit TT&C, lunar communications, optical laser links up to 10 Gbps, hosting, and teleport services); Spacecraft Operations and Engineering (mission operations, systems engineering, software, and space science operations for ESA programs including Galileo, Copernicus, Euclid, BepiColombo, Juice, and Hera); and Satellite Launch and Rocket Test Services (orbital launches for small satellites up to 1,000 kg and reusable launch vehicle engine testing).

Underlying technology combines an RF ground-segment network spanning S-, X-, and Ka-band with a growing optical (laser) ground station network deployed in Chile and Australia supporting CCSDS O3K and SDA OCT protocols, all backed by the Esrange Space Center above the Arctic Circle — a multi-functional facility with 5,200 km² of uninhabited land and 6,600 km² of restricted airspace used for rocket launches, balloon flights, and engine testing. Revenue is generated through four mechanisms: recurring subscription-based ground station access (e.g., SSC Space Go on usage-based monthly billing and Optical Ground Station monthly subscriptions), per-mission transaction fees for launches and sounding-rocket flights, professional services for spacecraft operations and engineering, and hosting/teleport services for satellite operators. Customers are anchored by national and supra-national space agencies (NASA, ESA, ISRO, JAXA, DLR, Swedish National Space Agency), defense organizations (Swedish Armed Forces, FMV), and commercial satellite operators and launch providers (Intelsat, SES, ICEYE, Firefly Aerospace, Isar Aerospace, ArianeGroup, EnduroSat).

Recent corporate activity positions SSC Space at the center of European sovereign space capability: rebranding from Swedish Space Corporation in 2026, a SEK 209 million contract for sovereign military launch from Esrange by 2028, Arctic ISR cooperation with ICEYE for NATO, expanded reusable-rocket testbed hosting for ArianeGroup (Themis) and Isar Aerospace, and a network expansion into Finland via NorthBase — collectively signaling a strategic pivot from a Swedish civil-space operator into a pan-European government-aligned space services platform.

Name

Swedish Space Corporation

Legal name

Swedish Space Corporation

Website

https://sscspace.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Space Services (Satellite Ground Station and Launch Services)

NAICS

Satellite Telecommunications (51741), Satellite Telecommunications (5174), Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414)

SIC

Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro primary industry

Ground Segment Systems (Ground Stations, TT&C, Mission Ops) (IMABACAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Satellite Network Operations & Capacity Services (NOC, Capacity Leasing, Managed Payload Services) (HDAIAJAI), Launch Vehicles & Orbital Rockets (IMABACAA), Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR) (IMABACAD), Space-Based Defense Systems (SSA, Missile Warning, Protected SATCOM) (IMABAOAH), Space Logistics & In-Orbit Servicing (Refueling, Tug, Debris Removal) (IMABACAM)

Keywords

• Satellite ground station services
• Orbital launch services
• Spacecraft operations engineering
• Sounding rocket services
• Optical satellite communications

Headquarters

HQ city

Solna

HQ country

Sweden

HQ region

Europe

Offices13 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Ground Station Services: Telemetry, Tracking & Command (TT&C) and payload data services for satellites across LEO, GEO, and lunar orbits. Revenue from antenna time, data volume subscriptions, and hosting services.
2. Satellite Launch Services: Orbital launch capabilities for small satellites (up to 1000 kg) from Esrange Space Center targeting sun-synchronous and polar orbits. Revenue from launch service contracts.
3. Spacecraft Operations and Engineering: Engineering services, mission operations, systems engineering, and software solutions for space missions. Supports Galileo, Copernicus, Columbus, and other ESA programs.
4. Science and Launch Services: Sounding rocket launches, stratospheric balloon services, and payload development for scientific research. Revenue from mission contracts and flight tickets.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

SSC Space provides advanced space services across four business areas: global satellite ground station services (LEOP, on-orbit TT&C, lunar and optical communications), orbital launch and rocket test services from Esrange Space Center, sounding rocket and stratospheric balloon flights for microgravity research, and full spacecraft operations and engineering support for ESA, NASA, commercial operators and defense customers. The portfolio is anchored by a global network of 11 owned and 10 partner ground stations and the Arctic-located Esrange Space Center, enabling end-to-end mission support from payload development through decommissioning.

Product overview

SSC Space is a global provider of advanced space services organized around four core service lines: Science and Launch Services (sounding rockets, stratospheric balloons, ground instruments, payload development, student programs), Ground Station Services (global network with LEOP, Go, Plus, Lunar, Optical, Hosting, and Teleport sub-services), Spacecraft Operations and Engineering Services (Mission Operations, Systems Engineering, Space Engineering, Space Science Operations), and Satellite Launch and Rocket Test Services (orbital launches, testbed). The company operates the Esrange Space Center in northern Sweden as its primary facility. Key named products include SubOrbital Express for sounding rockets, SSC Space Go for automated small satellite ground access, and Optical Communications for high-throughput laser-based data services. The portfolio is structured as a platform-plus-modules architecture where ground station network serves as the foundational infrastructure supporting all mission phases from launch through operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Global Ground Station Services
• SSC Space Go
• Optical Communications
• Lunar Services
• Plus Services (On-Orbit)
• LEOP Services
• Teleport Services
• Hosting Services
• Satellite Launches
• Testbed Services
• Sounding Rockets
• Stratospheric Balloons
• Ground Instruments
• Payload Development
• Student Programs (REXUS/BEXUS and EXPLORA)
• Mission Operations
• Systems Engineering and Software Solutions
• Space Engineering
• Space Science Operations
• Esrange Space Center

Quantifiable outcome

• 610+ sounding rockets and 690+ stratospheric balloons successfully launched over 60+ years
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• NorthBase (Finland)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 28 May 2026Partnership to integrate NorthBase's Muonio ground station in Finland into SSC's global ground station network, expanding polar coverage capabilities.
• Swedish Institute for Space PhysicscoreTechnology or Integration · 18 May 2026Developed the Venusian Neutrals Analyzer instrument for India's Venus Orbiter Mission, contributing to energetic neutral atom analysis of Venus's upper atmosphere.
• Swedish Defense Materiel Administration (FMV)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 March 2026SEK 209 million agreement to establish satellite launch capability from Esrange Space Center for Swedish Armed Forces, scheduled to be operational by 2028.
• Isar AerospacecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 February 2026Isar Aerospace opened a second test site at Esrange Space Center to expand rocket testing capabilities. New facility allows testing of over 30 engines per month supporting Spectrum rocket development.
• ICEYEcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 November 2025ICEYE and SSC partnership to combine SAR satellite technology with SSC's ground station network and launch capabilities for enhanced Arctic ISR to support NATO and Nordic security efforts. Signed Letter of Intent at NATO Arctic Space Forum in Helsinki.
• Kuva SpaceminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 November 2025Letter of Intent signed to explore cooperation across key areas of space infrastructure, mission development, and security-related capabilities.
• Kuva SpaceminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 April 2025Letter of Intent to strengthen Nordic space capabilities across space infrastructure, mission development, and security-related areas.
• Firefly AerospacecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 June 2024Collaborative agreement to jointly launch satellites with Firefly's Alpha rocket from Esrange Space Center. Firefly set to become first U.S. company to launch satellites from continental Europe. TSA signed between Sweden and USA in June 2025.
• Perigee AerospacecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 June 2024Launch vehicle provider partnership for satellite launches from Esrange Space Center targeting sun-synchronous and polar orbits for small satellites.
• ArianeGroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Themis reusable rocket demonstrator testing at Esrange Space Center. Themis, developed by ArianeGroup, arrived at Esrange in June 2025 for flight testing.
• DLR-MORABA (Eurolaunch)coreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for trajectory analysis, vehicle trajectory, loads, and stability analysis for sounding rocket launches from Esrange.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• LeoLabs: LeoLabs operates a global phased-array radar network for LEO tracking, space situational awareness and space traffic management. Adjacent to SSC's ground segment operations but focused on surveillance/tracking rather than data downlink/TT&C.

Direct peers

• Atlas Space Operations: Atlas provides ground station as a service (GaaS) and federated network solutions, including polar coverage. Directly competes with SSC Space Go and Plus services for LEO constellation operators and small-satellite customers.
• RBC Signals: RBC Signals provides a global ground station network with shared and dedicated antenna services for LEO/MEO/GEO operators. Overlaps SSC's Plus and Go offerings on multi-mission TT&C and data delivery.
• Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT): KSAT operates the world's largest commercial ground station network, including TrollSat in Antarctica and Svalbard - the leading polar station - directly competing with SSC's global ground station services and LEOP offerings. Highly comparable on ground segment, polar coverage, and space agency customer base.
• Leaf Space: Leaf Space operates a global ground station network targeting small satellite operators with subscription-based TT&C and payload data services. Direct competitor to SSC Space Go and Plus Services with overlapping LEO focus.
• GMV Aerospace & Defense: GMV provides mission operations, ground systems, and spacecraft engineering services for ESA and European space programs. Directly comparable to SSC Space's Spacecraft Operations & Engineering services division, including Galileo, Copernicus, and EU satellite operator contracts.
• DLR GfR (German Space Operations): DLR GfR operates ground station services for ESA and the German Space Operations Center, including Galileo control. Overlaps directly with SSC Space Germany and the broader SSC ground station network on TT&C and mission operations.

Broad incumbents

• Microsoft Azure Orbital: Microsoft Azure Orbital offers ground-station-as-a-service and multi-orbit satellite connectivity, integrated with the Azure cloud. Overlaps with SSC's ground station and data delivery business, with the same downlinking-into-cloud model that SSC Space Go uses for AWS S3 delivery.
• Amazon AWS Ground Station: AWS Ground Station is a hyperscaler-managed ground-station-as-a-service integrated with AWS cloud, targeting the same smallsat and constellation customers as SSC Space Go. Comparable end-to-end satellite data services but delivered by a much larger broad cloud incumbent.

Others

• European Space Agency (ESA) Operations: ESA's ESOC and Estrack network operates core European ground stations (Darmstadt, Kiruna, Redu). Direct collaboration/overlap with SSC Space Germany for ESA missions (Copernicus, Galileo, Euclid, Juice, Hera, BepiColombo).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@SSC_Space
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ssc-swedish-space-corporation
• Xx.com/sscspace
• Facebookfacebook.com/ssc.swedishspacecorporation

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Subsidiaries10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Swedish Space Corporation