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Over 70 licensed launch facilities now operate globally — 20 commissioned since 2020.
| Attribute | Esrange Space Center 🇸🇪 Sweden Active · Last updated 2026-06-01Trust: Operator-primaryⓘ Last verified Remove × | Vandenberg Space Force Base 🇺🇸 United States Active · Last updated 2026-06-01Trust: Agency-primaryⓘ Last verified Remove × |
|---|---|---|
| Operator | Swedish Space Corporation (SSC) | United States Space Force |
| Ownership | State Enterprise | Military |
| Region | 🇸🇪 Sweden | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Launch pads | 1 orbital pad (under development; multiple sounding rocket launch rails)as of [1] | 3 active (SLC-4E Falcon 9, SLC-6 standby, SLC-2W Firefly)as of [1] ↑ Most pads |
| Annual launches | 8–12 suborbitalas of [1]Orbital capacity ~100 kg planned for 2027; SSC orbital pad construction ongoing | ~30as of [1]Primarily polar/SSO missions from Vandenberg; predominantly SpaceX |
| Max payload (LEO) | suborbital only (historical); ~100 kg to SSO planned 2027as of [1] | 15,600 kg to polar orbit (Falcon 9 Block 5)as of [2] ↑ Highest capacity |
| First operational launch | 1966-11-19as of [1]First Nike-Cajun sounding rocket from Esrange; first European orbital launch site when orbital pad opens | 1958-12-16as of [1]Thor-Able 1 — first orbital attempt from Vandenberg (failed); first success 1959-02-28 |
| Regulatory regime | Swedish Space Act (1982:963) + Swedish National Space Agency; EU/EASA airspace coordination | U.S. Space Force Western Range + FAA-AST Part 450 for commercial users |
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