EU inaugurates first mainland satellite launch port

The European Union has announced it hopes to bolster its capacity to launch small satellites into space with a new Launchpad in Arctic Sweden. European officials and Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf inaugurated the EU's first mainland orbital launch complex on Friday during a visit to Sweden.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said small satellites are crucial to tracking natural disasters in real time.The first satellite launch is expected next year.The total number of satellites could reach 100-thousand by 2040, compared with the current 5,000 operational satellites, according to the Swedish Space Corp.