Ministerial Visit in the High North: Norway and Italy to Strengthen Space Cooperation The Norwegian Minister of Trade and Industry recently received two Italian ministers in Northern Norway. Going forward, the countries will strengthen their cooperation on space activities and critical raw materials.
First Human Spaceflight Over the Earth’s Poles Currently in Flight The first human spaceflight over the Earth's polar regions is currently in flight. The crew will explore Earth from a polar orbit and conduct research designed to help advance humanity's capabilities for long-term space exploration. One of the crew members is Norwegian Jannicke Mikkelsen from Svalbard.
The First Rocket Launch at Andøya: Exploded on The Ground Seconds After Launch Shortly after the launch of the first test rocket for Isar Aerospace at Andøya Spaceport in northern Norway, the rocket fell and exploded on the ground. Andøya Space has set up a crisis team.
Increase in Satellites Pollutes Our Night Sky and Atmosphere, Says Researcher Bodø (High North News): Space activities are increasing at an exponential pace, also above the Arctic. From about 2,000 satellites in 2015 to 12,000 today, satellites represent significant light pollution of the Arctic and global sky. "If the sky for our children and grandchildren is a sky of satellites, they would be losing the connection with the universe," says Canadian legal scholar Michael Byers to HNN.
"The Entire Northern Hemisphere Can Be Controlled From the Space Above the Arctic" Reykjavik, Iceland (High North News): Technology and science must adapt to the geopolitical shifts in the far north, and space is becoming an increasingly significant arena. "The entire Northern Hemisphere can be controlled from the space above the Arctic," says Tim Reilly from the University of Cambridge, emphasizing that the race between the US and China revolves around technology ownership.
The Norwegian MoD Believes the Russian Nuclear Threat to Be Real The Norwegian Ministry of Defense believes Russia's plans for nuclear weapons in space to be a real threat. "We and our allies must be able to face this type of threat," writes the department's state secretary.
Norway Launched Into the Commercial Space Age Andøya (High North News): On Thursday, Europe's first and only operational launch port for satellites officially opened on Andøya and brought Norway into what is called "New Space," the commercial and privatized space age. The Norwegian Armed Forces are thrilled to see a direct entrance into the fifth domain: space.
Over 20 Million NOK for Groundbreaking Research in the North UiT The Arctic University of Norway was granted over 10 million NOK to prove that it is possible to use commercial satellites to map space debris all the way down to the size of a few millimeters. This is one of two approved applications from UiT for the Groundbreaking research program.
