2024-03-062023/24:UbU15 · p.6UbUEducation
Space research and space activities
Space research and international space cooperation
What's at stake: The outcome affects Sweden's role and room for maneuver in international space cooperation, including which rules and partnerships will govern Swedish space activity going forward.
Case texts and AI reasoning are AI-translated from the Swedish originals; the Swedish text is authoritative.
What the vote decides
The question is whether Sweden's space policy should continue within its current framework — European cooperation and an ongoing legal review — or be actively expanded with new Nordic initiatives and new international agreements on space activity.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The committee welcomes the continued implementation of the national strategy for Swedish space activity and notes that a report proposing a new space law has been circulated for consultation and is being processed within the Government Offices, work the committee does not wish to pre-empt. The committee points out that the Swedish National Space Agency already has duties within international space cooperation and that Sweden participates in the European space cooperation within ESA and the EU, and therefore rejects the motions.
No No — the reservations
Reservation 12 (SD)
The reservation holds that the government should pursue increased Nordic cooperation on space issues, including through a joint Nordic research strategy and joint research projects, as well as Nordic coordination within larger international forums such as the European space cooperation. It also argues that new international treaties and rules for space activity are needed beyond the existing space treaties, for example by having Sweden consider joining newer international cooperation agreements, and that the possibility of increased cooperation with democratic space nations outside Europe should be explored.
Summarised from the committee report. Party labels in the summary come from the report, not from the vote.
What do the votes mean here?
Yes The committee proposal: rejecting the motions (keeping things as they are).
No Backing the counter-proposal: reservation 12 by SD.
Abstain The party marks a position of its own that is not one of the two final alternatives.
What each plan points to — and how the party voted
For each party: the vote its own election manifesto and party programme point to in this case, next to how the party actually voted. A plan can only point to Yes or No; a party can also abstain.
| Plan | Vote | Confidence | Evidence | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V | No | Yes 20/0/0/4 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| S | No | Abstain 0/0/93/13 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| MP | No | Yes 15/0/0/3 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| C | No | Yes 19/0/0/5 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| L | No | Yes 13/0/0/3 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| KD | No | Yes 16/0/0/3 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| M | No | Yes 60/0/0/8 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| SD | No | No 0/61/0/11 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
Committee proposal
The Riksdag rejects the motions 2023/24:290 by Joar Forssell (L), 2023/24:478 by Aron Emilsson and others (SD) demands 1, 6 and 7, 2023/24:1809 by Rickard Nordin (C) and 2023/24:2687 by Åsa Westlund and others (S) demand 85.
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen avslår motionerna 2023/24:290 av Joar Forssell (L), 2023/24:478 av Aron Emilsson m.fl. (SD) yrkandena 1, 6 och 7, 2023/24:1809 av Rickard Nordin (C) och 2023/24:2687 av Åsa Westlund m.fl. (S) yrkande 85.
Riksdag decision: The Riksdag said no to 80 proposals in motions about research from the general motions period 2023. The motions deal, among other things, with freedom of research, distribution of research funds and space activities. The Riksdag refers, among other things, to applicable provisions and ongoing work.
Counter-proposals
- The counter-proposal wants universities to offer fixed-term employment for researchers early in their career and enable permanent positions for those who have demonstrated independent research production. (SD) — Reservation 12
Plan vs actual vote
Every party, in chamber order: what its own plan pointed to, how it voted, and the reasoning behind both. Highlighted rows are where the two differ — but a vote that follows the plan is a result too, so the reasoning is there for every party.
The plan says nothing about space activities, but favours inter-state and Nordic cooperation that should be strengthened as an alternative or complement to the EU, and wants research to grow in scope.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan says nothing about space activities, but favours inter-state and Nordic cooperation that should be strengthened as an alternative or complement to the EU, and wants research to grow in scope. Nordic research strategy and new inter-state frameworks for space are in line with that principle. The evidence is weak, hence low confidence.
Original (Swedish)
Planen säger inget om rymdverksamhet, men förordar mellanstatliga och nordiska samarbeten som ska stärkas som alternativ eller komplement till EU, och vill att forskningen växer i omfång. Nordisk forskningsstrategi och nya mellanstatliga regelverk för rymden ligger i linje med den principen. Underlaget är svagt, därav låg säkerhet.
- strengthened Nordic inter-state cooperationdecisive»OSSE (Organisationen för säkerhet och samarbete i Europa) och regionala organisationer som Nordiska rådet. Alla dessa bör stärkas och utvecklas som alternativ eller komplement till EU.« (party programme ↗)“OSCE (Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe) and regional organisations such as the Nordic Council. All these should be strengthened and developed as alternatives or complements to the EU.”
- agreements between states»De kan inte lösas utan internationellt samarbete och överenskommelser mellan stater.« (party programme ↗)“They cannot be solved without international cooperation and agreements between states.”
- research needs to grow»Forskning utgör en del av den samhälleliga infrastrukturen och behöver växa i omfång. Vänsterpartiet försvarar den fria grundforskningen.« (party programme ↗)“Research is part of society's infrastructure and needs to grow in scope. The Left Party defends free basic research.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan wants to develop Nordic cooperation to meet common challenges and calls Nordic cooperation central alongside the EU.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan wants to develop Nordic cooperation to meet common challenges and calls Nordic cooperation central alongside the EU. Increased Nordic cooperation within space research, joint research projects and new international frameworks with other democracies is in line with this and with the plan's ambition for Sweden as a leading knowledge nation. Space activities are not mentioned in the plan.
Original (Swedish)
Planen vill utveckla det nordiska samarbetet för att möta gemensamma utmaningar och kallar det nordiska samarbetet centralt vid sidan av EU. Ökat nordiskt samarbete inom rymdforskning, gemensamma forskningsprojekt och nya internationella regelverk med andra demokratier ligger i linje med detta och med planens ambition om Sverige som ledande kunskapsnation. Rymdverksamhet nämns inte i planen.
- develop Nordic cooperationdecisive»Vi vill utveckla det nordiska samarbetet för att möta de gemensamma utmaningarna som« (party programme ↗)“We want to develop Nordic cooperation to meet the common challenges that”
- Nordic cooperation central»Också det nordiska samarbetet är centralt, liksom samarbetet med de baltiska staterna.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Nordic cooperation is also central, as is cooperation with the Baltic states.”
- stimulate research cooperation»Tvär- och mångvetenskaplig forskning bör stimuleras och« (party programme ↗)“Interdisciplinary and multi-disciplinary research should be stimulated and”
- cooperation with democracies»Vi vill se ett EU som står upp för våra gemensamma värderingar.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We want to see an EU that stands up for our common values.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan says nothing about space activities, but it wants to protect and drive Nordic cooperation, is a warm supporter of international cooperation and believes that new international rules are needed when environmental, security policy and economic interests collide.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan says nothing about space activities, but it wants to protect and drive Nordic cooperation, is a warm supporter of international cooperation and believes that new international rules are needed when environmental, security policy and economic interests collide. The counter-proposal's demands for Nordic coordination and new international agreements for space follow from these principles. The basis is, however, general, so the assessment is uncertain.
Original (Swedish)
Planen säger inget om rymdverksamhet, men den vill värna och driva på det nordiska samarbetet, är varm anhängare av internationellt samarbete och anser att nya internationella regelverk behövs när miljömässiga, säkerhetspolitiska och ekonomiska intressen kolliderar. Motförslagets krav på nordisk samordning och nya internationella avtal för rymden följer av dessa principer. Underlaget är dock allmänt, varför bedömningen är osäker.
- Nordic cooperationdecisive»Vi vill värna det unika samarbetet i vårt närområde, mellan de nordiska staterna.« (party programme ↗)“We want to protect the unique cooperation in our neighbourhood, between the Nordic states.”
- new international rules»När miljömässiga, säkerhetspolitiska och ekonomiska intressen kolliderar behövs nya internationella regelverk.« (party programme ↗)“When environmental, security policy and economic interests collide new international rules are needed.”
- international cooperation»Vi är varma anhängare av internationellt samarbete.« (party programme ↗)“We are warm supporters of international cooperation.”
- driving force in the North»Miljöpartiet ska vara starkt pådrivande i att riva ned gränshinder även i Norden« (party programme ↗)“the Greens shall be strong driving forces in tearing down border obstacles also in the North”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan does not address space activities.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan does not address space activities. The party programme, however, gives Nordic cooperation an important role and establishes that common challenges can only be solved through international cooperation, while free universities shall conduct high-quality research and Sweden shall have world-class research. Based on these nearest-lying principles, the plan supports increased Nordic space cooperation and new international regulations, but the conclusion is derived.
Original (Swedish)
Planen behandlar inte rymdverksamhet. Idéprogrammet ger dock det nordiska samarbetet en viktig roll och slår fast att gemensamma utmaningar bara kan lösas genom internationellt samarbete, samtidigt som fria lärosäten ska bedriva högkvalitativ forskning och Sverige ha forskning i världsklass. Utifrån dessa närmast liggande principer stöder planen ökat nordiskt rymdsamarbete och nya internationella regelverk, men slutsatsen är härledd.
- Nordic cooperationdecisive»Det nordiska samarbetet, som överbryggar många europeiska konstellationer, spelar en viktig roll.« (party programme ↗)“Nordic cooperation, which bridges many European constellations, plays an important role.”
- international cooperation required»Utmaningar som är gemensamma för många nationer, som tullmurar, klimatfrågan och internationell brottslighet, kan bara lösas genom internationellt samarbete.« (party programme ↗)“Challenges that are common to many nations, such as trade barriers, climate issues and international crime, can only be solved through international cooperation.”
- free research of high quality»Högre utbildning och fria lärosäten ska självständigt kunna bedriva högkvalitativ forskning och utbildning.« (party programme ↗)“Higher education and free universities shall independently be able to conduct high-quality research and education.”
- world-class research»konkurrenskraftiga universitet och forskning i världsklass« (2022 manifesto ↗)“competitive universities and world-class research”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan wants Sweden to cooperate closely with other countries and wants the Nordic countries to lead the way and remove barriers faster than others, while Sweden shall do much more within international cooperations in the free world.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan wants Sweden to cooperate closely with other countries and wants the Nordic countries to lead the way and remove barriers faster than others, while Sweden shall do much more within international cooperations in the free world. Increased Nordic space cooperation, new international rules and broader cooperation with other democracies follow from these commitments. The plan also wants to increase research appropriations and strengthen international research cooperation.
Original (Swedish)
Planen vill att Sverige samarbetar nära med andra länder och att de nordiska länderna går före och river gränshinder snabbare än andra, samtidigt som Sverige ska göra mycket mer inom internationella samarbeten i den fria världen. Ökat nordiskt rymdsamarbete, nya internationella regelverk och bredare samarbete med andra demokratier följer av dessa åtaganden. Planen vill dessutom öka forskningsanslagen och stärka internationella forskningssamarbeten.
- the Nordic region leadsdecisive»De nordiska länderna kan, liksom vi har gjort tidigare med t.ex. passfrihet« (party programme ↗)“The Nordic countries can, like we have done previously with, for instance, passport freedom”
- cooperation in the free world»Därför vill vi att Sverige gör mycket mer, både som enskilt land och inom internationella samarbeten, för fri- och rättigheter, frihandel, fria val och samarbete i den fria världen.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Therefore we want Sweden to do much more, both as a single country and within international cooperations, for freedoms and rights, free trade, free choice and cooperation in the free world.”
- close international cooperation»Sverige bör samarbeta nära med andra länder« (party programme ↗)“Sweden should cooperate closely with other countries”
- strengthened research»Vi vill öka forskningsanslagen och både skapa bättre karriärvägar för yngre forskare och se riktade satsningar på att svenska universitet ska kunna locka hit världens främsta forskare.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We want to increase research appropriations and both create better career paths for younger researchers and see targeted initiatives for Swedish universities to be able to attract the world's leading researchers.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan does not address space activities.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan does not address space activities. The closest relevant principle is that increasingly many shared matters must be solved through international cooperation and that appropriate joint institutions should exist to streamline such cooperation. On the basis of that principle, increased Nordic and international space cooperation lies in line with the plan, but the basis is weak.
Original (Swedish)
Planen behandlar inte rymdverksamhet. Närmast liggande princip är att alltfler gemensamma angelägenheter måste lösas genom internationellt samarbete och att lämpliga gemensamma institutioner bör finnas för att effektivisera sådant samarbete. Utifrån den principen ligger ökat nordiskt och internationellt rymdsamarbete i planens linje, men underlaget är svagt.
- international cooperationdecisive»alltfler sådana angelägenheter måste lösas genom internationellt« (party programme ↗)“increasingly many such matters must be solved through international”
- joint institutions»att öka samt effektivisera internationellt samarbete« (party programme ↗)“to increase and streamline international cooperation”
- resources for research»Alla ämnesområden måste garanteras tillräckliga resurser, därför« (party programme ↗)“All subject areas must be guaranteed sufficient resources, therefore”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The election manifesto promises to work for NATO membership to lead to deepened cooperation within the Nordic region and with the Baltic, not only in the defence area, and for deepened cooperation in northern Europe.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The election manifesto promises to work for NATO membership to lead to deepened cooperation within the Nordic region and with the Baltic, not only in the defence area, and for deepened cooperation in northern Europe. The party programme gives the relationship to Nordic neighbours a special place and establishes that it shall be strengthened. Increased Nordic space cooperation and cooperation with other democratic space nations follows from this, even though space is not mentioned.
Original (Swedish)
Valmanifestet lovar att verka för att Natomedlemskapet leder till ett fördjupat samarbete inom Norden och med Baltikum, inte bara på försvarsområdet, och för ett fördjupat samarbete i norra Europa. Idéprogrammet ger relationen till de nordiska grannländerna en särställning och vill bygga samarbeten med likasinnade nationer. Ökat nordiskt rymdsamarbete och samarbete med andra demokratiska rymdnationer följer av detta, även om rymdfrågan inte nämns.
- deepened Nordic cooperationdecisive»Verka för att Sveriges Natomedlemskap tillsammans med Finland leder till ett fördjupat samarbete inom Norden och mellan Norden och Baltikum, inte bara på det försvars- och säkerhetspolitiska området.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Work for Sweden's NATO membership together with Finland to lead to deepened cooperation within the Nordic region and between the Nordic region and the Baltic, not only in the defence and security policy area.”
- Nordic special place»Relationen till våra nordiska och baltiska grannländer har en särställning.« (party programme ↗)“Relations to our Nordic and Baltic neighbours have a special place.”
- cooperation in northern Europe»Verka för ett fördjupat samarbete i norra Europa« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Work for deepened cooperation in northern Europe”
- cooperation with like-minded»Sverige ska fortsätta att tillsammans med likasinnade nationer« (party programme ↗)“Sweden shall continue together with like-minded nations”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan particularly wishes to broaden and deepen Nordic cooperation and points out common research and technology development as part of it.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan particularly wishes to broaden and deepen Nordic cooperation and points out common research and technology development as part of it. Such inter-governmental cooperation with other democratic states is according to the plan both desirable and sufficient as a form. The counter-proposal's requirement for a Nordic research strategy, Nordic coordination in international space forums and broader cooperation with democratic space nations therefore aligns with the plan.
Original (Swedish)
Planen vill särskilt bredda och fördjupa det nordiska samarbetet och pekar ut gemensam forskning och teknikutveckling som en del av det. Sådant mellanstatligt samarbete med andra demokratiska stater är enligt planen både önskvärt och tillräckligt som form. Motförslagets krav på nordisk forskningsstrategi, nordisk samordning i internationella rymdforum och bredare samarbete med demokratiska rymdnationer ligger därför i linje med planen.
- fördjupat nordiskt samarbetedecisive»I linje med det vill vi särskilt arbeta för att stärka den nordiska gemenskapen och bredda och fördjupa det nordiska samarbetet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“In line with that, we particularly wish to work to strengthen Nordic community and broaden and deepen Nordic cooperation.”
- gemensam nordisk forskning»Nordisk sammanhållning får inte förpassas till historien, därför krävs också både gemensam forskning och teknikutveckling samt insatser för nordisk språkförståelse och kulturutbyte.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Nordic cohesion must not be consigned to history, therefore both common research and technology development as well as efforts for Nordic language understanding and cultural exchange are required.”
- nordiska teknikprojekt»Tillsammans med våra nordiska grannar vill vi satsa på framtidens elflyg.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Together with our Nordic neighbors we wish to invest in the future's electric aviation.”
- mellanstatligt samarbete»Samarbete är en förutsättning för stabilitet och fred i världen.« (party programme ↗)“Cooperation is a prerequisite for stability and peace in the world.”
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Sources and documents
- The committee report on riksdagen.se (2023/24:UbU15)
- Committee report full text (HB01UbU15)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
- Motion 2023/24:1020 — Djurförsök inom medicinsk forskning av Josef Fransson (SD)
- Motion 2023/24:1158 — Möjliggörande av återinträde i akademisk forskning av Staffan Eklöf (SD)
- Motion 2023/24:1159 — Förutsättningar för Sveriges fortsatta roll som kunskapsnation av Staffan Eklöf (SD)
- Motion 2023/24:1280 — Utfasning av djurförsök av Ulrika Heindorff (M)
- Motion 2023/24:1429 — Nya rön kring anhörigas betydelse för psykiskt sjukas vårdplaner av Ann-Sofie Lifvenhage (M)
- Motion 2023/24:1502 — Jämställd akademi av Eva Lindh (S)
- Motion 2023/24:1514 — Säkrad förlossningsvård av Jessica Rodén och Louise Thunström (båda S)
- Motion 2023/24:1699 — Plan för att fasa ut djurförsöken inom forskning och utbildning av Jytte Guteland och Sofia Skönnbrink (båda S)
- Motion 2023/24:1733 — En framtid utan graviditeter av Joar Forssell (L)
- Motion 2023/24:1809 — Flytt av Rymdstyrelsen till Västsverige av Rickard Nordin (C)
- Motion 2023/24:1823 — Forskning om afrikansk svinpest av Monica Haider (S)
- Motion 2023/24:1904 — Satsning på forskning om kvinnors hälsa och kvinnorelaterade sjukdomar av Linnéa Wickman och Sanna Backeskog (båda S)
- Motion 2023/24:2001 — Filmarkivet i Grängesberg av Sofie Eriksson (S)
- Motion 2023/24:2013 — Nationell handlingsplan för att nå en djurfri forskning av Magnus Manhammar (S)
- Motion 2023/24:2063 — En kvalitativ cancervård i framkant av Carina Ståhl Herrstedt m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2023/24:2069 — En stärkt psykisk hälsa i hela landet av Carina Ståhl Herrstedt m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2023/24:2076 — Life science av Carina Ståhl Herrstedt m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2023/24:2159 — Fysisk och social aktivitet för att minska psykofarmaka inom psykiatri av Ann-Sofie Lifvenhage (M)
- Motion 2023/24:2453 — Ledarskap för klimat och grön omställning av Rickard Nordin m.fl. (C)
- Motion 2023/24:2454 — Utbildning och forskning - för en stark kunskapsnation av Anders Ådahl m.fl. (C)
Source: The Swedish Parliament