The Space Sector of the Baltic-Scandinavian Macroregion: Infrastructure, Potential, and Challenges to Standort Competitiveness

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the space sector in the Baltic-Scandinavian Macroregion (BSM). The aim of the study is to assess the level of development, competitiveness, and institutional coherence of BSM as a potential macroregional space – Standort within the European and global contexts. The scope of the analysis includes the industrial supply chains of the rocket and satellite sectors, launch infrastructure (including Esrange, Andoya, SaxaVord, among others), strategic policy documents and government programmes, as well as both civil and military trajectories of space development. The research objectives are as follows: to characterize the geographical scope and composition of the BSM in line with the Standort approach; to provide a structural mapping of key industrial and launch actors; to analyse strategic coordination framework and support mechanisms; to evaluate legal, technological, and institutional challenges and to identify the key factors limiting the region's international competitiveness. The findings suggest that, drawing on its engineering and digital infrastructure, the BSM demonstrates growing potential in the development of small satellite systems and microlaunchers. However, it remains a fragmented, externally dependent, and institutionally unshaped space. Against the backdrop of intensifying global competition and geoeconomic confrontation, this situation requires further coordination among BSM states. If successful, such coordination may, in the medium term, lead to the emergence of a competitive Northern European space Standort.

Baltic-Scandinavian macroregion, space sector, launch infrastructure, satellite technologies, macroregional Standort, EU, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Lithuania, United Kingdom, competitiveness, strategic challenges, geoeconomics