Small satellites, including Cubesats, are today mainly launched as piggyback payloads with very limited opportunities for choosing orbit. As the satellites and their applications get more sophisticated, the need to launch them into carefully designed orbits arise. There is already a queue of Cubesats looking for launch opportunities and a further increase is expected. Thus, there is a need for dedicated launchers which regularly launch into standardized orbits. To meet these needs, SSC has initiated SmallSat Express, a launch capability for small satellites from SSC's launching facility Esrange Space Center. Esrange is located in the very north of Sweden, above the Arctic Circle (68°N, 21°E) and has access to a vast, unpopulated recovery area. The facility has been operated since 1966 and is presently used for sounding rocket and balloon launches. It also hosts one of the world's largest civilian satellite ground stations.

SSC initiated SmallSat Express, a European launch capability for small satellites from Esrange, some years ago. The service will focus on launches to LEO/SSO polar orbits at 500 km altitude with an inclination of 97.4°. The launch frequency will be 1-3 launches per year and the total payload mass per launch will be >150 kg. A phase B2 study has been ongoing during the past year and was recently ended. The phase B2 study included an analysis of the type of buildings needed and the logistical flow between them, an inventory on permits needed for the establishment of the launch site. The work ended up with a conceptual design of the infrastructure. Preliminary, generic design concepts for satellite stacking as well as satellite deployment have been developed. The intention was also to recommend a specific launcher which was not feasible since the micro launcher market still is very volatile. A flight trajectory that avoids flights over highly populated areas has been identified. During the work on launchers, the need for test facilities for rocket motor tests and reusable launch vehicles were evident. The rocket motor test facility was taken into operation during the first quarter of 2018 and the goal is to have the reusability test facility operational in 2019. The next step towards the aim of the first launch in 2021 will be a phase C study carried out during 2018.