politics
Norway and the US Strengthens Space Cooperation in the High North
A new US-Norway agreement facilitates American commercial space launches from Andøya Spaceport in Northern Norway. "A major step toward making Andøya one of the world’s most attractive locations for satellite launches," says the Norwegian Minister of Trade and Industry.
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On Thursday, Norway and the US formed an important pillar for further space collaboration by signing a Technology Safeguards Agreement (TSA).
This is a bilateral agreement to prevent unauthorized dissemination of American technology. It is necessary for the US authorities to approve the transfer of US commercial launchers to launch facilities in Norway.
Relevant at the present time is Andøya Spaceport in Vesterålen, Northern Norway.
"The agreement is a major step toward making Andøya one of the world’s most attractive locations for satellite launches. The US is the world’s largest satellite market. Norway and Andøya Spaceport greatly appreciate the opportunity to launch satellites for US clients," says Cecilie Myrseth (Labor), the Norwegian Minister of Trade and Industry.
The US has similar agreements with i.a. Australia, New Zealand, and the UK.
"The negotiations with the US on the TSA have been a high priority for the Norwegian Government. I am satisfied to see that we are now ready to enter into this agreement, states Espen Barth-Eide (Labor), Norway's Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Of great strategic value
The TSA further develops Norway-US relations in a significant field, and may provide a security policy benefit for Norway as an allied space nation in the Arctic, the Norwegian government points out.
Space infrastructure in the High North hold high strategic value also for the US and other NATO countries. Furthermore, the US is said to have shown increasing interest in using Andøya Spaceport and an expanded space cooperation with Norway.
Oslo envisions that the TSA will contribute to a solid foundation for closer security policy collaboration within the space sector with Washington D.C. and other allies.
"This is a significant agreement for Norwegian security. Space activity is becoming more important for defense cooperation, and Andøya is of great value for Norway as well as for our allies," says Bjørn Arild Gram (Center), the Norwegian Minister of Defense, and continues:
"Norway has a leading role in space technology in the Arctic, and through this agreement, we enhance our important cooperation with the US and NATO at Andøya."
Included in defense agreement
The air station on Andøya is an agreed area under the updated US-Norway Supplementary Defense Cooperation Agreement (SDCA), which was adopted by the Norwegian parliament in May 2024.
Prior to this, Norway and the US announced plans for the construction of a temporary satellite station on Andøya for early missile warning in the High North.
