Bifrost, Swedish-Danish military space project

[Micael]

Some news, Sweden is calling the coming photo recon satellites Heimdall for one. I approve. Auto-translated:

Heimdall becomes the Armed
Forces’ first satellite in space
Published 17:21
The Esrange space base, a few miles east of Kiruna, will be the launch site for satellites. From here, the Heimdall satellite will lift off on a launch vehicle.

The Swedish Armed Forces plan to launch the first own satellite from Swedish soil in three years.

Heimdall 0 will orbit the Earth's poles and open the eyes of the military in space.

- This is important to us, says Jonas Wikman, head of the air force.

Bo Torbjörn Ek
Text

It is about a so-called demonstrator, a test satellite that will go up into space so that the Swedish Armed Forces can develop their own space capability.
- It is easy to think of this as just a satellite that you launch and operate in space, but there is so much more to it, says Jonas Wikman.

Heimdall 0 is only there to test technology, but in a few years the defense will have satellites that spy on the Earth's surface and bring in images and intelligence to support the Air Force, Navy and Army.

All this is new in the Swedish Armed Forces, which has not had its own satellites before. The Swedish Armed Forces' space department stood up 1.5 years ago - and now it's in a hurry.
- It's about us learning the entire chain, everything from procurement to operating satellites, says Ella Carlsson, the Swedish Armed Forces' space manager.
Facts. Armed Forces’ space billion

In October, the government earmarked one billion kronor for the armed forces space investments.

Among other things, the space billion will strengthen so-called responsive launch capability, which means that you can quickly launch new satellites if old ones are knocked out.

Satellites are used in the military in several ways, including in what are known as multi-domain operations, where space resources are connected to weapons systems on land, in the air and at sea.
So far, Heimdall 0 is just an order from the Defense Material Works. But Carlsson estimates that the satellite should be able to be sent up at the end of 2027 or the beginning of 2028.
After the test satellite come the live, regular satellites: Heimdall 1 to 4.
- Our plan is to have a handful of them. The first shot will be in 2030. Then we might send up one or two. In the next round, a few years later, maybe two more, says Ella Carlsson.

The launch will take place from the Swedish Space Corporation's space base Esrange, a few miles east of Kiruna. This means that the base will become an important military resource for both Sweden and NATO - and something that can disturb opponents.
- We will adapt to it. There is no doubt that these abilities need protection, says Jonas Wikman.

At the same time, the armed forces have started to develop a space operations center in Uppsala. Here, what is called a space situation picture is assembled, which shows, among other things, which enemy satellites are looking down from the stars. It can be important when the armed forces have to move, for example, troops or ships.
- We can do overflight analyses, i.e. find out where a satellite passes, when it passes and with what type of sensor. We can use that in our daily operations, says Ella Carlsson.

[Micael]

Auto-translated:

Deepened cooperation with the US Space Force
Headquarters – 7 November 2024 at: 11.14
For some time now, Sweden has had a cooperation agreement with the USA to be able to exchange space-related information. Last week, the head of the US Space Force, General Chance Saltzman, visited the Swedish Armed Forces and Esrange in Kiruna. The visit was hosted by the head of the air force.

MAGNIFY
From left: General Chance Saltzman, Colonel Ella Carlsson, head of the Swedish Armed Forces' space department, and Major General Jonas Wikman, head of the Air Force.Photo: The Swedish Armed Forces
- We have strategic competitors who try to deny us the benefits we get from space. The only way we can really deal with this is as part of a coalition, moving in the same direction.

Sweden has historically been a fantastic partner and is now a member of NATO. Sweden has embraced technological innovation and contributes to the enormous development in commercial and military space activities, says General Chance Saltzman.

Air Force Chief Major General Jonas Wikman emphasizes the importance of cooperation.

A STRATEGIC RESOURCE
- Earlier this year, the Ministry of Defense came out with a space strategy for defense and security in which it is clear that Esrange is an important strategic resource and that Esrange's ability to send up satellites can contribute to allies' access to space, says Jonas Wikman.

The government has granted a billion investment in which the Air Force is responsible for developing space capabilities for the Armed Forces. This includes, among other things, the development of a space situation image, infrastructure to ensure launch from Esrange and operational satellites in support of multi-domain operations.

MANY POSSIBILITIES IN SPACE
Military satellites have a number of uses. They can be used for reconnaissance and surveillance, communication, navigation and positioning, signals intelligence, weather observations and missile launch warning.

In some areas, Sweden is an advanced space nation. As a space nation with an industrial capability in almost the entire value chain, the country has good conditions to contribute to that security through NATO, the EU and with our other cooperation partners.

LOCATION IS CRUCIAL
Sweden's polar location provides ideal conditions for controlling, monitoring and sending satellites that pass over the poles. The geostrategic location in both the Arctic and Baltic Sea regions means that Sweden can play an important role in developing and providing space capabilities and space services within NATO.

The visit by Saltzmann was interesting, he hinted that the US Space Force is interested in using Esrange as a launch site. At a guess it might have to with launches of polar orbit satellites, and the tail end of this article vaguely hints in that direction.

[Micael]

FMV Procures Satellite Launch Capability at Esrange from SSC

DECEMBER 18, 2024
FMV Procures Satellite Launch Capability at Esrange from SSC
SSC has received an order from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) for project establishment to create a basic capability for satellite launches from SSC’s Esrange Space Center.
“This is an important step in our effort to establish a leading capability to launch satellites from mainland Europe. This will be of great significance for Sweden, as well as for NATO and Europe,” says Charlotta Sund, CEO of SSC.
On October 4, 2024, the government decided to allocate approximately one billion SEK to the Swedish Armed Forces until 2032 to develop Sweden’s space capability. The decision includes improving the Armed Forces’ space situational awareness, expanding the infrastructure at the Esrange Space Center, and enabling the Armed Forces to launch multiple satellites into space.
As a first step, FMV is establishing a collaboration with SSC through this order for project establishment to create a basic capability for satellite launches from Esrange.
The aim is to create greater Swedish control and access to the space domain, thereby increasing the robustness of the functions and capabilities that the satellites deliver to the Armed Forces.

[Micael]

Confirmed now , the first Swedish military satellite is up.

Swedish Defense Forces have launched a military satellite
UPDATED TODAY 08:42PUBLISHED TODAY 05:59
The Swedish Armed Forces have quietly entered the space age in earnest. SVT can now report that the first Swedish military satellite has been launched, and it will be followed by several others. The satellites will, among other things, give the defense the ability to communicate independently of others.
It is called Gna-3, a 4 kilo cube satellite. In Norse mythology, Gna was the messenger of the goddess Frigg, now you can say that she is the messenger of the Swedish Armed Forces.
Previously silent about the project
On August 16th of last year, Gna-3 was launched into space from a base in California, USA. Since then, the Swedish Armed Forces have been quiet about the project until now. It is Sweden's first own military satellite.
– It is a military satellite and we can now present that Sweden also has military satellites. It is important for strengthening our defense capabilities, says Minister of Defense Pål Jonson (M).
Why should Sweden invest in this when there are other NATO countries with the same capability?
– Firstly, we have unique geopolitical conditions in that we have Esrange and have the ability to launch polar satellites, which is unique. The second thing is of course that we want to have a certain independence and discretion when it comes to communication and intelligence gathering in the long term. So this builds and strengthens our capabilities, says Pål Jonson.
“The person sitting at the highest point on the battlefield also has a good opportunity to observe and utilize that position for their warfare,” says Johan Nyström, head of the Swedish Armed Forces' space department.
Spins four times a day
Gna-3 is said to be a communications satellite. It is located at an altitude of about 500 kilometers with a speed of about 27,000 kilometers per hour. It passes the same places four times a day, on an orbit that covers, among other things, Sweden and the Baltic Sea area.
Space is being identified as an important new area for warfare and more and more countries are investing in space defense. Gna-3 is a satellite for testing and trials, and the Swedish Armed Forces expect to launch more satellites in the coming years.
– In 2025, we will carry out the next launch, and another satellite in 2027, so that in 2030 we can send up, so to speak, sharp satellites that will be used operationally, says Johan Nyström.
There is no question of any form of weaponization in space for Sweden.
– Weapons in space are not in our plans and thoughts, says Air Force Chief Jonas Wikman.

[Nathan45]

Congratulations! Next stop Titan...

[Belushi TD]

WHoo hoo!!!

Go Sweden!

Belushi TD

[Micael]

Congratulations! Next stop Titan...

Thanks!

Some clarification on the launch schedule, this years it’s the Swedish-Danish Bifrost mentioned in the thread start that’s getting launched, in 2027 it’s the Swedish Heimdall photo recon satellite.

[Micael]

Bifrost is officially in space.

The Danish/Swedish satellite Bifrost is launched into space
On June 23, the Danish/Swedish project Bifrost launched a satellite with a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, USA. The aim is to study and develop satellite technology that applies AI.


The launch of Bifrost represents a major step forward for FMV's knowledge building in the space field and for the development of the Swedish Armed Forces' space capabilities.

– We are raising the level of expertise in space to strengthen Sweden's security and we are doing this in close collaboration with Denmark, say Mats Bergholm, FMV's project manager for Bifrost, and Ludvig Borg, systems engineer at FMV, who is on site with Danish colleagues in California.

Bifrost is a technology demonstrator project that aims to study and develop satellite technology that applies AI and it is commissioned in cooperation between FMV and the Danish Ministry of Defence Materiel and Procurement Agency (FMI). The project is a collaboration between the defence authorities, industry and research institutes of both countries. FOI also has an important part of the project where software for AI models is developed, which will be continuously updated and sent to the satellite in its orbit. The satellite will operate in a sun-synchronous polar orbit at an altitude of approximately 575 km, with an expected lifespan of five years.

– This launch is part of the Swedish Armed Forces' capability development in the space domain. Bifrost gives us valuable knowledge for the continued development of Swedish satellite systems. The collaboration with Denmark in this project is a significant step towards establishing a working method where we develop capabilities together with our allies within NATO, says Air Force Chief Jonas Wikman.

Process data

On the industrial side, the project is led by the Danish company Space Inventor. In the project, FMV also collaborates with the Swedish company Unibap AB, which supplies an iX5 computer with associated software adapted to process and manipulate data on board the satellite from its various sensors. The payload for the Bifrost mission includes a multispectral camera (MSI) and radar receiver (ESM radar).

– The main objectives of the mission include demonstrating technology related to space-based surveillance, target identification and reporting, in real time from any position in orbit, says Mats Bergholm.

The launch was successful and Bifrost has separated from the launch vehicle and been placed into orbit.

[Micael]

Previous plans called for fully operational satellites in orbit by 2030. Announced now that the timetable has been accelerated, and there’ll be operational satellites in service sometime before that year. They don’t want to say exactly when, and neither how many. Only in the ”reasonably near future”.

[Belushi TD]

Ain't it wonderful how a war concentrates the funding?

Belushi TD

[Micael]

An update now, ~10 satellites in initial plan, first to be delivered in 2026. This batch will have SAR and electro-optical sensors to support long range strike capabilities.

FMV orders satellites for the Swedish Armed Forces
FMV has signed agreements with suppliers Planet Labs and ICEYE regarding space systems and services, with both SAR (synthetic aperture radar) and electro-optical capabilities. In 2026, the first of about ten Swedish satellites will be delivered to the Armed Forces.

The work involves an earlier build-up of the Swedish Armed Forces' space operations from 2030 to 2026. This gives the Swedish Armed Forces the opportunity to support long-range combat capabilities with data supply from space sensors.

– From idea to contract, it has taken six months and this is a major step for the Swedish Armed Forces' space capabilities. FMV and the Swedish Armed Forces have worked closely in an integrated project team to simplify processes and thereby speed up the work, and FOI has contributed as expert support in that work, says Carl-Fredrik Edström, head of FMV's aerospace business area.

The space domain is a relatively new area of ​​equipment within FMV and the Swedish Armed Forces that is now developing rapidly. The procurement is part of the Swedish Armed Forces' historic rearmament and is part of Sweden's defense and security strategy for space from 2024. The investment in space capabilities strengthens the Swedish Armed Forces and total defense, benefits partners and allies, and ultimately makes our part of the world safer.

[Micael]

A bit more technical detail from an ICEYE press release. A SAR resolution of 16 centimeters seems pretty good.

ICEYE to deliver sovereign space-based intelligence capabilities to the Swedish Armed Forces
ICEYE to deliver sovereign space-based intelligence capabilities to the Swedish Armed Forces
The Swedish Armed Forces partners with ICEYE to enhance its intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities and strengthen the resilience of intelligence architecture across the Nordics, the Arctic, and NATO’s North-Eastern Flank.
Helsinki, Finland – January 12, 2026 - ICEYE, the global leader in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite operations, and the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) have signed a contract to deliver sovereign SAR systems for the Swedish Armed Forces. The multi-million, multi-year agreement will strengthen Sweden’s national intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities and resilience by providing timely, actionable insights in all weather and lighting conditions.

The agreement was signed in Stockholm by Brigadier General Carl-Fredrik Edström, Director of the Air and Space Systems Division, Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) and Seppo Aaltonen, VP Nordics & NATO, ICEYE.

Under the contract, Sweden will procure ICEYE’s SAR satellites, data and software, along with the associated ground and technical systems required to establish a sovereign, space-based surveillance and intelligence capability. The Swedish Armed Forces will own and operate the system, ensuring sovereign control over tasking, data, and operational use to support national defence and security requirements.

ICEYE’s SAR satellites are uniquely capable of providing high-resolution imagery and data with ground resolution of up to 16 cm, day or night, through cloud cover, rain, and snow – conditions that frequently limit traditional satellite imagery. This capability is particularly vital across the Nordics, where long winter darkness, persistent overcast skies, and fast-changing weather can restrict visibility for extended periods. By providing reliable, actionable imagery regardless of conditions, SAR strengthens continuous situational awareness and supports NATO Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) in Northern Europe and the Arctic, where decision advantage often depends on timely information in the most challenging environments.

The investment is part of the Swedish Armed Forces’ historic rearmament and Sweden’s national defence and security strategy. By strengthening sovereign space capabilities, Sweden aims to enhance national readiness, support partners and allies, and contribute to a safer security environment in the Nordics.

The agreement reflects ICEYE’s role in the continuing shift of European and NATO defence toward the tactical use of space: evolving from strategic single, vulnerable legacy systems to sovereignly owned, more resilient, high-revisit space-based intelligence capabilities that can support decision-makers at tactical speed.

Seppo Aaltonen, VP of Nordics and NATO, at ICEYE said: “ICEYE is proud to partner with the Swedish Armed Forces and deliver sovereign space-based ISR capabilities that work in all weather and lighting conditions of Northern Europe and Arctic. We especially welcome cooperation with Sweden and our closest Nordic NATO allies to enhance the security and resilience of the North-Eastern Flank of NATO.”

ICEYE’s European, sovereign, non-ITAR technology enables the rapid delivery of ISR capabilities to its customers. The ICEYE system is also engineered to enable sharing capacity and interoperable cross-tasking with other allied nations, if desired, to optimize the federated use of the combined fleets and enhance the collective space defense capabilities of European and NATO allied nations.

[Micael]

Here’s the press release from the other of the two satellite suppliers, Planet Labs:

Planet Signs 9-Figure Deal with Sweden
January 12, 2026
Marks Third Major Satellite Services Contract in 12 Months, Solidifying Market Leadership

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Planet Labs PBC, a leading provider of daily data and insights about change on Earth, today announced a multi-year low 9-figure agreement with the Swedish Armed Forces to rapidly deliver a suite of satellites, space-based data and awareness solutions to support the country’s peace and security operations. This agreement marks Planet’s third Satellite Services contract in twelve months, signaling robust demand for Planet’s innovative, rapidly deployed space-based hardware and software solutions.

Through the multi-year contract, Sweden will own a suite of Planet’s cutting-edge satellites, and have access to Planet’s high-resolution data, and intelligence solutions. By standardizing this model, Planet offers sovereign nations a cost-effective, low-risk, and fast pathway to advanced space-based capabilities without the prohibitive capital investment and operational complexities of building proprietary standalone systems. In the last year, Planet has signed over a half a billion dollars across three satellite services contracts, supporting the national security needs of Japan via JSAT and in collaboration with Germany. Planet is proud to partner closely with allied governments to deliver critical space-based and geospatial solutions.

“Europe needs its own eyes, and Sweden is leading the way by rapidly securing its own, comprehensive space capability – helping achieve its own security objectives and assisting regional allies, like Ukraine, with timely, critical information,” said Will Marshall, Planet CEO and Co-Founder. “By leveraging Planet’s scaled production line and agile aerospace methodology, Sweden achieves both the speed and the long-term sovereignty they require, without compromise.”

Planet is proud to provide governments and commercial organizations around the world with the leading Earth observation satellites and near-daily imagery they need to monitor and detect change, helping promote international transparency and security. Planet has successfully launched over 600 satellites to date, and provides both a near-daily scan of the Earth’s landmass and tens of millions of sq km of global oceans as well as high-resolution, rapid tasking across its three SuperDove, Tanager, and Pelican constellations. The company has also announced its forthcoming Owl constellation, which is being designed to deliver near-daily 1-meter class imagery.

Planet expects to recognize the commercial payments from the partner as revenue over several years. Today’s announcement does not change Planet’s previously issued fourth quarter financial guidance provided as part of the Company’s December 10, 2025, earnings release. Planet will leverage the increased capacity of the expanded fleet to serve government and commercial customers globally.

[Micael]

So I had a look around to try to figure out a bit more about what it is that we’re buying this time around.

With the SAR satellites from ICEYE it seems pretty straightforward since they mentioned 16 centimeter resolution in the press release. This would mean that it’s their new Gen4 satellite. Here’s some stats on that in their own constellation:

Specs
RESOLUTION:
UP TO 16 CM
IMAGING BANDWIDTH:
1200 MHZ
REVISIT TIME:
SUB-15 MINUTE (WITH CONSTELLATION)
IMAGING AGILITY:
15+ IMAGES PER ACQUISITION
DATA DOWNLINK:
UP TO 700 MBPS WITH STEERABLE ANTENNA
DEPLOYMENT:
FULL SYSTEM OPERATIONAL IN 12 MONTHS
ITAR -FREE:
YES
INTEGRATION:
ISR CELL, ICEYE MISSION GROUND SEGMENT (MGS)

With the electro-optical satellites from Planet Labs it’s a bit more complicated as they have multiple satellite types. I would guess that what we’re getting is either the Owl or Pelican ones though, and probably Pelican. Owl has a wider scan area but a lower resolution at 1 meter, Pelican has a narrower scan area but a higher resolution. However there’s a Gen1 in operation and a Gen2 ”coming soon”, the main difference seems to be that Gen1 has got a 50 centimeter resolution and Gen2 a 30 centimeter resolution. If it is Gen2 it is particularly interesting as then we’re not extremely far from the capability of the very big and very expensive traditional photo recon satellites. It seems that the latest US KH-11 satellites has got about a 10 centimeter resolution so definitely better but with (potentially) 30 centimeter photo and 16 centimeter SAR capability along with current day AI processing/analysis (Planet Labs incorporates that in-orbit just as we’re developing on our own with the Bifrost satellite), we should be in a very good place with regards to space based ISR very soon.

Then, a bit later on I would expect us to launch domestically developed operational satellites from Swedish soil. Perhaps around 2030 as the earlier plan was before they changed it around to leverage these two outside products.