Space Industry Summit

Spaceport Sweden Hosts Space Industry Summit on Collaboration and Innovation

NASA Dryden and Mojave Air & Space Port hosted by Spaceport Sweden in Swedish Lapland

News Release December 6, 2011

Just one month after Mojave Air and Space Port and Spaceport Sweden signed a historic memorandum of understanding (MOU), Sweden hosted executives, researchers, students and political representatives from the Swedish space industry at the Swedish Institute for Space Physics in Kiruna (Swedish Lapland 200 KM north of the Arctic Circle) for the National Swedish Space Summit.

Mr. David McBride, NASA Dryden Center Director and Mr. Stuart Witt, CEO of Mojave Air and Space Port were keynote speakers on the topics of markets, collaboration and innovation in the new space industry at the event hosted by Ms. Karin Nilsdotter, CEO of Spaceport Sweden.

For many years, NASA Dryden has conducted northern latitude atmospheric research flights from Kiruna in conjunction with the Esrange high altitude balloon and sounding rocket range just 20 minute drive from Kiruna. As Mr. McBride commented, “Northern Sweden is a hub of near space atmospheric research along with being a prime location for conducting sounding rocket flight experiments up to 800 KM along with providing NASA with a northern latitude tracking station for polar orbit missions and the space station and shuttle.”

Dryden has operated its ER2 and DC8 research craft from Kiruna Airport and as Mr. McBride stated, “Kiruna is good business for Dryden and we hope to continue this in the near future with expanded operations.”

Mojave Air and Space Port CEO Stuart Witt noted, “The Aerospace Valley of California has a long history of flight research and European collaboration in the valley is simply very good business. The National Test Pilot School operates SAAB Aircraft and trains Scandinavian Test Pilots each year, as do many European countries. It is very important that Mr. McBride, myself and all aerospace leaders in the Aerospace Valley work to expand collaboration with previous long standing clients, this is a critical part of our mission and specifically our jobs.”

This was Mr. Witt’s second visit to Swedish Lapland this year. As Mr. Witt stated, with the significant investment from Europe, specifically Virgin Galactic, attendees at the National Test Pilot School long and short courses, European filming and other aerospace activity, the Aerospace Valley will continue to focus on Europe as a source of future aerospace research and flight development and testing.

Witt also noted, “It is simply amazing the impact Ms Nilsdotter has had on our industry in such a short time. Her detailed focus on America’s ITAR regulation and how it is limiting American business from expanding to Europe has been priceless. It is simply astounding how regulation in America is stifling expanded markets around the globe. Frankly, it is only hurting American business as Ms. Nilsdotter has pointed out. The world will find countries and firms willing to supply space components to a thirsty world, but Europe desires access to American markets and vendors. Congress must take up this onerous regulatory environment and quickly if we are to have any role in new space. We have agreements in place, but regulation is severely limiting export of our minds and products which impacts jobs at home.”

Ms. Nilsdotter noted that the only way the new space industry will find traction is to collaborate and innovate across borders for the betterment of humanity. Her goal is to create and entire industry complete with fashion, technology, training and maintain a keen focus on STEM education worldwide.

Contact:
Karin Nilsdotter, Karin@spaceportsweden.com
Stuart Witt, Stuart@MojaveAirport.com
David McBride, david.d.mcbride@nasa.gov