HELSINKI, Apr 12 (NNN-XINHUA) – The Swedish Space Agency will launch three national space programmes, and prepare funding for a new research institute focused on space, the government said in a press release, yesterday.
The government described space as increasingly vital to society and global security, and said, Sweden must invest in strong research to remain a leading space nation.
The new programmes include a national satellite initiative, to strengthen Sweden’s ability to build and operate satellites, a dual-use technology programme, aimed at developing systems for both civilian and military use, and a space data programme, to boost the use of satellite data in society and business.
The research school is intended to help train future experts and support long-term growth in the sector.
“When the world around us invests, we need to remain one step ahead,” said Education Minister, Johan Pehrson, adding that, current security challenges make space investment more important than ever.– NNN-XINHUA