Space has always inspired us. Today, we look to space not only for distant dreams but for real solutions to Earth’s biggest challenges. This is the essence of New Space, it is a dynamic, commercially driven sector spanning everything from satellite development and launch, to in-orbit services and Earth-focused applications.
New space is about making space more accessible, agile, and impactful, both in orbit and on the ground.
We spoke to Marie-Louise, CEO of ML Impact, who helps companies navigate EU funding and innovation opportunities, including within New Space as well as Leonie Blum, Ideon Science Park’s Project Manager in the Swedish Space collaboration project SSIC and business developer.
“New Space is a new dynamic in the space industry, where private companies, startups, and investors play a leading role,” says Marie-Louise.
From Exploration to Innovation on Earth
The space industry is undergoing a shift.
“Traditional Space” has largely been led by governments, centralized, and hardware heavy. “New Space”, by contrast, uses space as an enabler for life on Earth. New space is a lot about scalable, service-based solutions:
“Instead of launching satellites solely for internal use, today’s space startups offer data, analytics, connectivity, and insights as services. These are then accessible to customers across industries like agriculture, energy, and defense”, says Leonie Blum.
This transition mirrors the SaaS revolution in tech, which makes lower entry barriers possible along with recurring revenue models, and broader commercial impact beyond the traditional space sector.
“Space is no longer just about rockets, it is about real-world services delivered from orbit”, says Marie-Louise. “Thanks to digitalization, lower launch costs, and more open policies, the field is no longer just for governments”.
The private sector now drives innovation, particularly in software and data-based applications, which act as catalysts for solving Earth-bound challenges.
Thus, today’s space startups offer data, analytics, connectivity, and insights as services, that are accessible to customers across industries like agriculture, energy, and defense.
What, then, Is Space Tech?
Space tech spans three major areas. When we talk about upstream technologies, we refer to those that go into space, like satellites, rockets, and space station supplies. Then there is the in-orbit infrastructure, which means systems and hardware that operate in space.
Finally, there are also downstream technologies. These use space data on Earth, such as satellite-based monitoring for climate, agriculture, or disaster response.
We see spin-off technology. Materials, sensors, and devices that were originally developed for space missions and that are now applied in healthcare, energy, and manufacturing.
“Because these technologies are rigorously tested for extreme environments, they often exceed standards required on Earth. They have resilient features of technology for space that come in handy for solving issues on Earth, too,” says Marie-Louise.
Why Space Matters for Earth
With geopolitical tensions and climate crises that are intensifying as well as infrastructure vulnerabilities, space-enabled solutions are essential for resilience, security, and strategic autonomy.
“From orbit, we gain the tools to monitor, protect, and respond, enabling disaster prediction and early warning systems, secure communication, reliable navigation and more.”
Entrepreneurs use these tools to build companies that tackle real-world problems. Satellite data is already being used to track emissions, map deforestation, monitor melting ice caps, and power precision farming.
“Startups in New Space build companies around climate tech, cyber defense, and infrastructure resilience,” says Marie-Louise.
In 2023, global revenue from satellite-based Earth observation reached €3.4 billion, with nearly half stemming from climate, biodiversity, and sustainability services.
Sweden in the New Space Economy
Sweden steps up to claim its place in the global New Space ecosystem.
The push is anchored in the Swedish Space Strategy (Rymdstrategin), which outlines a clear ambition to strengthen national capabilities in space innovation, enhance international collaboration, and foster a thriving space economy. The Swedish Space Strategy was adopted in 2018 and defines Sweden’s priorities in innovation, sustainability, and competitiveness in space. (Rymdstyrelsen) Sweden’s National Space Agency provides funding and business support aligned with national and EU goals.
To support its ambition, Sweden participates in the European Space Agency’s (ESA) commercialization program. European Space Agency’s Business Incubation Centre supports startups using space tech and data. The ESA BIC network spans most ESA member states.
In Sweden, there is a national incubation program supporting space tech startups in developing and bringing their technologies to the market. This happens through four ESA BIC nodes: Arctic Business (Kiruna/Luleå), Innovatum Science Park (Trollhättan), Uppsala Innovation Centre, and Ideon Science Park (Lund).
Today, the national and European partnerships that Sweden works with include Vinnova, SISP, and EU programs like Horizon Europe that support dual-use technologies and digital transformation.
SSIC: A Collaboration Project in the Space Sector
SSIC (Swedish Space Innovation Cooperation) specifically targets the rapidly growing area New Space in Sweden.
The initiative aims to develop stronger national and international collaboration to strengthen Sweden’s position within the European space industry”, says Leonie Blum, Project Manager at Ideon Science Park.
The project is five years long and is coordinated by Arctic Business in Luleå. Ideon Science Park is involved along with Arctic Business (Luleå), UIC – Uppsala Innovation Centre (Uppsala), and Innovatum Science Park (Trollhättan).
We collaborate to create structured and cross-border innovation networks between Swedish and European stakeholders in the space ecosystem”, Leonie explains. Among our goals:
Together, we develop digital platforms and tools for more efficient collaboration within the space industry, work to strengthen Sweden’s innovation capacity and competitiveness in space technologies, and facilitate access to venture capital as well as international partnerships for Swedish space startups. Last, but not least, we promote diversity and inclusion in the space sector.
SSIC plays a crucial role in helping Sweden accelerate the development of space-based technologies and services and create new business opportunities in the emerging space economy.
The initiative is supported by the Swedish National Space Agency (SNSA), Tillväxtverket (Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth), and Region Norrbotten.
What happens next?
By 2029, Sweden aims to be a leading force in Europe for New Space, driving innovation in AI, satellite data, cybersecurity, high-performance computing (HPC), and 5G/6G.
Sweden is well placed. There is a solid foundation, but collaboration must grow stronger,” says Marie-Louise. “We offer real-world testbeds and have deep expertise in telecom, cybersecurity, materials, and defense.”
Want to learn more or get involved? Explore opportunities and connect with the ecosystem.
Get in touch: Send an email to Leonie Blum.
