The new national budget expands Norway’s participation in ESA’s and EU’s space programs as well as the allocations for the national utilization of these programs.
– This is a very positive and solid national budget where the government clearly has taken into consideration the Norwegian Space Agency’s advice of where it is most advantageous to continue and expand Norway’s activities in space, says Christian Hauglie-Hanssen, Director General of the Norwegian Space Agency.
This includes the further participation in EU’s space programs Galileo for satellite navigation and Copernicus for Earth observation, as well as Governmental Satellite Communications (GovSatcom) and Space Safety Awareness (SSA).
The EU program GovSatcom will establish a shared pan-European communication network for governmental actors and emergency services that is safer and more robust than commercial infrastructures for communication.
– Norway has, with its geographical and strategic position, a clear interest in participating in and contributing to GovSatcom, says Hauglie-Hanssen.
The European Space Agency (ESA) has already started the technology development necessary for its SSA program. Its elements Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST) and Space Traffic Management (STM), concerning the monitoring and control of traffic and objects in orbit, is of particular interest for both the EU and Norway.
In the SSA program Norway is most active in the element that covers space weather and the interaction between the sun and the Earth.
Increased responsibilities for the Norwegian Space Agency
The Norwegian Space Agency sees both an increase in allocations and an increase in responsibilities, in part due to Norway’s increased participation in the EU space programs.
– An increased participation in EU’s space programs needs an expanded national infrastructure in order to get the most out of this participation, says Hauglie-Hanssen.
This includes a wide range of preliminary studies and early phases of the development of new services at several public directorates and research institutions, particularly how the large amount of data generated by the space programs can be utilized best.
Exploring space and building a new launch base
The budget for Norway’s continued participation in ESA and its programs are in accordance to the current agreements and declarations agreed upon at ESA’s ministerial meeting in 2019.
– These allocations confirm our continued active membership in ESA and in their plans for the coming exploration of the moon, Mars and even further out in space, says Hauglie-Hanssen.
He views the increased support for Andøya Space as a sign that the government regards the opportunities in building a launch base for small satellites in Northern Norway as a matter of great importance. The Norwegian Space Agency will assist and contribute to this process as much as possible.
– We are very pleased with the new national budget and with good reason. The government clearly shows that it acknowledges the importance of the further development of the Norwegian space sector. The Norwegian Space Agency will continue to contribute to the greatest possible national utilization of this expansion of space, says Hauglie-Hanssen.
For more information
Christian Hauglie-Hanssen – Director General – Norwegian Space Agency – 920 60 043
