In a significant milestone for the Norwegian space industry, Andøya Spaceport has received its Launch Site Operator license from the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Fisheries. This license marks a major step forward for Norway's ambitions in the newspace age, solidifying its position as a leading space nation in the Arctic.
Photo: Andøya Spaceport & Isar Aerospace
Located on the island of Andøya in Nordland, Andøya Spaceport has been under development since 2018 and has made rapid progress towards becoming a fully operational spaceport. The license grants the spaceport permission to operate launch vehicles that place satellites into orbit from Norwegian soil, paving the way for a new era in space exploration and commercialization.
"This is a huge team effort, and we're proud to have reached this milestone," said Lasse Berg, Interim President of Andøya Spaceport. "Our collaboration with Isar Aerospace, authorities, and stakeholder groups has been key to achieving this license. We're now focused on ensuring safe operations and making Andøya Spaceport the safest and most efficient spaceport in Europe."
The license has significant strategic implications for Norway, enabling the country to play an active role in the global space industry. Andøya Spaceport's location offers ideal logistical conditions, with access to Andøya Airport, deep water ports, and road connections to Europe. This makes it an attractive location for rocket launch companies seeking reliable and independent access to space.
Isar Aerospace, a European space company, is Andøya Spaceport's first customer and has established a dedicated launch pad at the spaceport. The company's in-house developed launch vehicle, Spectrum, is set to undergo stage testing and will soon be launched from Andøya Spaceport.
"We congratulate Andøya Spaceport on receiving the Launch Site Operator license," said Alexandre Dalloneau, Vice President of Mission and Launch Operations at Isar Aerospace. "This milestone enables our team to continue with our ambitious plan and start with the final stage tests ahead of Spectrum's first test flight."
Andøya Spaceport AS, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Andøya Space AS, was founded in 2018 and has made rapid progress in developing the spaceport. The first launch pad was completed in October 2023, and the spaceport was officially opened by H.R.H. The Crown Prince on November 2, 2023.
With this license, Norway takes a significant step towards becoming a key player in the global space industry, offering sovereign, reliable, and fast access to space from Norwegian soil. As the space industry continues to commercialize and grow, Andøya Spaceport is poised to play a critical role in Europe's space infrastructure.
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