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Pelican
Sweden’s first operational military satellite has reached orbit, in the initial step of the country’s plans to enhance its space-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.
The Planet Labs-manufactured spacecraft was launched on May 3 by a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Vandenberg Space Base in California.
It was one of 45 payloads onboard the launcher and one of a trio of Pelican low-Earth-orbit satellites being launched by Planet Labs during the mission.
The Swedish Armed Forces said the satellite was part of its fledging military space program, which will expand its presence to 10 satellites in the coming years.
“Now we have a national capability and own systems in place in space ... giving us a better picture of our area of interest, including difficult-to-review areas like the Arctic, and areas we previously have not been able to monitor,” Chief of Space Adm. Anders Sundeman said. “This creates better conditions for Sweden and NATO’s defense capabilities and contributes to our ability to detect and combat threats at long distances.”
As part of the stand up of the Armed Forces Space Department, work has begun on an operations command center for the space-based capabilities.
By acquiring a satellite directly from Planet Labs, the Swedish Armed Forces have been able to create an ISR capability in less than a year, said officials from FMV, Sweden’s defense materiel agency. It comes four years before a 2030 target set by senior commanders.
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