Outer space is increasingly being seen as a strategic and operational domain for an increasing number of actors, including NATO and EU. The evolution of space’s usability and rapid advancements in space technology have brought new opportunities, as well as potential threats, vulnerabilities and risks. Consequently, defence and security are becoming more implemented in space policy discourse and states’ space strategies. Due to space being a dynamic area with a wide range of applications, the need for increased understanding of how states design their space strategies and policies is identified. The study examines how Sweden has securitized outer space in its space strategies from 2018 and 2024 respectively, by using a wide definition of security which in addition to the military also includes environmental, economic, societal and political sectors. The aim of the study is to increase the understanding of how states design their space strategies and policies.
Findings are that Sweden, in its 2018 strategy, performs an act of securitization regarding the survival of the space environment due to existing threats, but in the 2024 strategy the threat no longer articulates with the same urgency. However, in the 2024 strategy Sweden performs several acts of securitization regarding the essential role of space capabilities and infrastructures for the Swedish Armed Forces and the country’s national security. Furthermore, the importance of continued activities in the space industry and an ensured Swedish competitiveness are also highlighted as important aspects regarding Swedish security.