Future Innovations: Science Fiction Could Become Reality with Asteroid Mining and Space Elevators

Published: 9 July 2026

From the surface of the Earth to orbit – space is increasingly becoming an arena for innovation. Our foresight expert Joakim Skog takes us on a fascinating journey where technology in space helps us solve some of our most pressing problems here on Earth. Discover how project like Climate Trace uses AI and satellite data to create global transparency around emissions and energy consumption, and how Esrange in Kiruna is becoming the hub where terabytes of observational data are downloaded daily. See the visions of solar energy collected 24/7 via Europe's project Solaris, and how Swedish company Beyond Gravity is developing the technology for the space power plant of the future. You will also get to know Sweden's leading research around asteroid mining, groundbreaking laser technology and super materials that could enable a space elevator – while we deal with space debris with the help of ESA and Swedish companies. From giving us insight into our own planet to offering energy and new resources. Vinnova has directly or indirectly funded project which is mentioned in the film. The film was produced in connection with the Polhem Prize 2025, in collaboration with Sveriges Ingenjörer, who is behind the prize.