Torbjörn Sassersson är grundare av NewsVoice som startade 2011. Torbjörn har arbetat inom media sedan 1995. Han har en fil kand (1992) inom miljövård från Stockholms Universitet. Stöd hans arbete genom en 
The Swedish Armed Forces have successfully launched their first military satellite into orbit. GNA-3 was sent into space from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, USA, marking a milestone in the country’s military strategy.
On August 16, 2024, the Swedish military communications satellite (GNA-3) was secretly launched into space. GNA-3 is Sweden’s first military satellite in space. The Swedish Armed Forces operate the satellite, which serves as a test project for future satellite launches.
The satellite is a communications device to enhance the Swedish military’s operational independence from foreign satellite systems. According to the Swedish Ministry of Defense, this launch demonstrates Sweden’s growing status as a spacefaring nation to modernize its defence infrastructure.
The Swedish defense Minister Pål Jonson highlighted the importance of this launch, stating:
”This shows that Sweden is an emerging space nation and is modernizing its defense capabilities. This is just the first step in our journey into space, and we look forward to the continued development of our military’s space capabilities.”
The satellite orbits at an altitude of approximately 500 kilometres, moving at about 27,000 kilometres per hour. It passes over Sweden and the Baltic Sea region four times daily, providing a strategic communication vantage point.
GNA-3 is part of a broader initiative by the Swedish Armed Forces to strengthen their presence and capabilities in space, a domain increasingly recognized as critical for modern warfare and national security.
This launch is not a one-off event but the beginning of a series of planned satellite deployments. The Swedish government has committed to sending up more satellites in the coming years, with another launch scheduled for 2025 and another in 2027. It aims for fully operational military satellites by 2030.
The project includes collaborations with the Swedish Space Corporation (SSC), the Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI), and the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV), underlining a comprehensive national effort to bolster space-based defence assets.
While the satellite is primarily for communication, it also serves as a testbed for future technologies, including AI-assisted data processing and tactical reconnaissance.
The Swedish military’s involvement in space is part of a larger NATO and EU trend where space is seen as a new frontier for strategic operations.
The launch of GNA-3 enhances Sweden’s military capabilities and positions the country within the global context of space militarization and security.
Source and related
- Swedish Government: Sveriges första militära satellit nu uppskjuten i rymden
- Nanosats.eu: GNA-3 Spacecraft
- Reuters: Sweden successfully launched military satellite in August
- Vandenberg Space Force Base