This year has been off to a flying start as we have had customers seeing the aurora borealis from the sky, others performing superman moves in weightlessness and we’ve been inspired by great speakers at our TEDxKiruna conference. We have also presented a concept for a space experience center to further strengthening Kiruna in Swedish Lapland as a complete space destination and we’ve met with key US and Swedish policy makers seeking to enable the growth of a new global industry all of which you can read more about in our spring newsletter.
Karin Nilsdotter, CEO Spaceport Sweden
Meetings in Washington DC
A recent visit to Washington DC included the member meeting of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation working to facilitate the growth of the commercial spaceflight industry. Further we met with representatives from the White House and the Swedish Embassy discussing how we can collaborate to expand the industry and export of a vehicle to enable flights out of Sweden. Pictured here is Mr Kevin Wolf, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration together with Spaceport Sweden CEO Ms Karin Nilsdotter.
Floating like astronauts on the Air Zero G flight
On Wednesday 26th of March guests of Spaceport Sweden and SXC were onboard the Air Zero G flight launching from Novespace facilities at Bordeaux, France. We saw some great superman moves and the guests shared an experience of a lifetime as they floated in weightlessness on the A300. Well done all space travellers and thank you to all our partners involved AVICO, Novespace and CNES.
Space as a catalyst for growth and creativity
Commercial human spaceflight offers the opportunity not only to launch humans into space but also launch new product and services and new careers. Through cooperation, open innovation and cross-industry collaboration, the county of Norrbotten, or Swedish Lapland, has the opportunity to establish a creative hot spot in the Arctic. This was the topic as our CEO, Karin Nilsdotter was invited to speak at a seminar arranged by the Norrbotten County Council, focusing on regional development. Click here to see talk (in Swedish).
Concept presented for a space experience center
Spaceport Sweden together with Kiruna in Swedish Lapland recently presented a feasibility and concept study by IDEAS for the development of a Space Visitor & Science Center to further strengthen the development of Kiruna a leading space destination. The early concept includes a unique “Earth and Sky Center” as a hub for the experience, bringing space exploration to life in through immersive, interactive and participatory exhibits and programs. The study confirms the potential to establish Spaceport Sweden as a world-class space-oriented attraction; drawing 145,000 annual visitors generating a multimillion spend in the area and contribute to new jobs and regional growth. See the concept video; youtube.com/spaceportsweden
Transformation the theme of TEDxKiruna 2014
On March 13th Spaceport Sweden together with partners arranged the third TEDxKiruna – the first one ever at 540m under ground at the LKAB Visitor Centre. TEDxKiruna is a cross-disciplinary event in the spirit of TED and ”ideas worth spreading” to offer a meeting place for people of different ages and disciplines to inspire new ideas. On the theme of transformation ESA Astronaut Paolo Nespoli talked about how space is a gateway to personal transformation, Dr Annika Steiber about continuous innovation and Google’s best keep secret, entrepreneur and adventurer Per Wimmer about how he writes the manual, rather than follows one and journalist and writer Åsa Petersen about everyone’s right to be who they are. See all truly inspiring speakers on Youtube and photos on Facebook or Flickr.
Leadership forum encouraged to aim for the stars
“The sky is no longer the limit, but we must dare to lead change, being adaptable to change is not longer enough”. This was the message from our CEO, Karin Nilsdotter as she gave a key note speech at the annual leadership forum, arranged by Visita, for decision makes within the tourism and hospitality industry.
Experiencing the northern lights from the sky
On March 3rd our Northern Light Flight took off from Kiruna Airport – Spaceport Sweden with guests from around the world. After a preparatory lecture about the northern lights, we took to the skies bringing our guests high above the clouds for a unique and memorable experience of the space phenomena, aurora borealis.
Collaboration with Luleå University of Technology
Working with academia and talent is a key strategy for us and together with Luleå University of Technology we collaborate across several disciplines ranging from space engineering to experience production. We are very proud to currently have Ms Josefin Enström, top graduate of the program of professional experience production on our team as part of a trainee program. Recently we ran a 72 hr Case Race competition focusing on storytelling and creativity management where the winning team won a stay in Kiruna, visiting the ICEHOTEL and participating in TEDxKiruna.
Space day in Kiruna in Swedish Lapland
On January 25th Kiruna’s space companies gathered to present their on-going activities and to make space available for everyone. People of different ages and nationalities visited the space day and took part in the lectures, contests and movies. Spaceport Sweden shared the latest in the development of space tourism and presented the many space adventures already on offer and saw a great interest among the visitors.
Students present space collections
In January students from the University of Textiles in Borås, Sweden, presented a creative space collection as part of a joint project with Spaceport Sweden to inspire young talent, new ideas and cross-industry collaboration. Nine different designs were presented including this really cool outfit; “First Space Kit”,
Women in Tech 2014
On the International Womens Day, 8th of March, Spaceport Sweden was among of the speakers at the first Women in Tech event in Stockholm. The conference was arranged by MTGx, Google and Spotify and saw over 400 participants, and a day full of networking, insight and inspiration. All talks are available on Youtube and a summary video here.
Winner of the Innovator of the Year Award
Spaceport Sweden was the proud winner of the Innovator of the Year Award at the Grand Travel Awards, which took place in January at the Grand Hotel in Stockholm, Sweden. The awards are organized by the leading trade magazine Travel News, and saw some 600 attending guests. We’d like to thank the jury and everyone who support our mission towards the stars.
Spaceport Sweden in the media
Swedish Trade Magazine; Besöksliv
Radio show; Christer och Morgan
Follow Spaceport Sweden on;
Mynewsdesk