Sweden and the United States have agreed to extend their bilateral framework agreement on cooperation regarding the exploration and use of outer space for civil purposes. This was announced by the government on 11 December. The agreement was signed by Defence Minister Pål Jonson during the North Star Space Forum in Washington D.C.
The agreement builds upon a previous framework for collaboration in space research and technology and means that the cooperation is now extended. According to the government, the aim is to promote scientific development, technological innovation, and deepened cooperation between Swedish and American actors in the space sector.
The cooperation encompasses both civil and security-related applications. Among ongoing projects is the Swedish company ECAPS, which, with funding from the Swedish National Space Agency, is developing a rocket motor system with less environmental impact than traditional hydrazine-based fuels.
Space-related infrastructure is assessed by the government as part of the total defence's technical core capacity, including its use in communication, geographical surveillance, and crisis preparedness.