EU Inaugurates First Mainland Satellite Launch Port

Tags: Science and Technology International News

European officials and Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf inaugurated the EU's first mainland orbital launch complex on 13 January during a visit to Sweden by members of the European Commission, which is the 27-nation bloc's executive arm.

An overview of the news

• The European Union is looking to boost its ability to launch small satellites into space with a new launchpad in arctic Sweden.

• The new facility inaugurated at the Esrange Space Center near the city of Kiruna will complement the EU's current launching capabilities in French Guiana.

• The tiny satellites are vital for tracking natural disasters in real time and helping to guarantee global security in light of Russia's war in Ukraine.

• The total number of satellites could reach 100,000 by 2040 as compared to the current 5,000 operational satellites.

European Union (EU) 

• It is an international organisation made up of European countries, which was formed in 1993.

• It is a group of 27 countries that act as a cohesive economic and political bloc.

• 19 of these countries use the euro as their official currency.

• Its goal is to promote peace and the well-being of all citizens of the EU.

• Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium