How can transatlantic collaborations on space activities help us create a sustainable and resilient society?
Last month, SSC hosted an Executive Roundtable event at the Swedish Embassy in Washington DC, U.S. The theme, “Utilizing Space for a Resilient Society”, was much appreciated and focused on a wide range of domains of U.S-Swedish collaboration in Space. The conclusion is clear: Collaboration is key to creating new opportunities to jointly strengthen democratic values, international security, freedom, peace, stability, and sustainable economic growth – to help Earth benefit from Space.
“I am so pleased for the great discussions and important relations made here today. Space plays a crucial role across a wide range of societal dimensions and global challenges on our planet. We do have great opportunities to increase our market shares in this context, not least in the current geopolitical situation and the rapid technological development. The U.S. market is crucial for SSC, and I’m certain the discussions here today could ultimately strengthen collaborative space activities between our countries,” says Charlotta Sund, CEO of SSC.
To discuss these important topics, representatives from both the U.S. and Swedish space and defense domains gathered in Washington DC for an executive roundtable event. Executives from the largest space organizations in the U.S. and Sweden, as well as high-rank personnel from both countries’ defense sectors, was present at the House of Sweden to discuss topics such as:
- Global trends and driving forces for future tech development and space activities
- Utilizing U.S-Swedish collaboration in space for societal resiliency and deterrence in the current geopolitical landscape
- Space security and defense with the coming Swedish NATO membership
- Collaborative efforts around the coming orbital (satellite) launches from Esrange Space Center in northern Sweden
- The strategic location geopolitically of Sweden as a launching state and how the U.S. can benefit from it.
Already spearheading the developments of the international space domain, the U.S. space market has for many years been crucial for SSC and the Swedish space industry. And SSC aims at deepening it even further.
Based on a broad portfolio of capabilities and global presence, SSC stands ready to further develop the transatlantic collaboration. Not least to utilize EU mainland’s first orbital spaceport, Spaceport Esrange, as well as one of the world’s largest commercial networks of satellite ground stations – both part of the advancements made by SSC in recent years.
It was a pleasure sharing these important discussions with, amongst many others:
Urban Ahlin (Ambassador of Sweden to the U.S.), Caitlin Poling (Office of Space Affairs, U.S.), Daniel Pechkis (IDA Science and Technology Policy Institute), John Sloan (Program Lead for International Outreach, Federal Aviation Administration), David Logsdon (Senior Director Space Policy, ITI), Robert Cabana (NASA Associate), General (ret) James E. Cartwright, Bill Weber (CEO of Firefly Aerospace), Dr. Christyl Johnson (NASA Goddard’s Deputy Director for Technology and Research Investments), Anna Rathsman (Director General of SNSA), Shea Ferring (Chief Technology Officer of Firefly Aerospace), Eva Bernhardsdotter (Swedish Ministry of Defence), Ronnie Johansson (Master Sergeant Space Capability, Swedish Armed Forces), Benjamin Reed (CTO and Co-Founder of Quantum Space), Vikram Ivatury (Director of Mission Operations & Ground Systems of In-Space Systems, Blue Origin)