Norway Proposes Funding for New Launch Pad at Andøya Spaceport

The Norwegian government has proposed funding a new launch pad at Andøya Spaceport as part of its 2027 national budget, in a move aimed at strengthening both Norway's and Europe's independent access to space.

The government says the investment will support the continued development of the spaceport as a strategic capability for European launch services at a time of growing geopolitical uncertainty.

"In today's security environment, the spaceport has become a strategic asset for both Norway and Europe," said Minister of Industry and Commerce Cecilie T. Myrseth in a press release. "We are therefore facilitating increased launch capacity to safeguard Norwegian and European access to space."

Completion in 2028

The government has proposed allocating NOK 323.3 million (£24.5 million / €29 million) in 2027, shared between the budgets of the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Fisheries. The project is scheduled for completion in 2028 and has a total estimated cost of NOK 646 million (€58 million).

The funding will be used to construct a second launch pad at Andøya Spaceport, alongside the existing facility from which the Spectrum rocket was launched on 5 September.

The project will be delivered by Norway's Defence Estates Agency, while Andøya Spaceport will lease the launch infrastructure from the state under a long-term agreement. The Norwegian Armed Forces will assume responsibility for securing the area surrounding the site.

The new launch pad will be built adjacent to the existing launch complex.

Important contribution

"The proposed solution provides a spaceport under Norwegian national control with sufficient capacity to make a meaningful contribution to Norwegian and European launch capability," said Defence Minister Tore O. Sandvik. "This is an important Norwegian contribution to our shared European security."

Satellites have become critical infrastructure for modern societies, supporting everything from navigation and communications to civil security and environmental monitoring. They also play a vital role in military operations and situational awareness in the High North.

In a crisis or conflict, the ability to launch replacement satellites at short notice could become increasingly important, whether to replace damaged assets or respond to new operational requirements.

Until the successful launch from Andøya Spaceport on 5 September, Europe had no capability to launch satellites from the European mainland, relying instead on spaceports located in other parts of the world.

"The launch in September marked a milestone for European launch autonomy and was the result of strong cooperation between Norway and Germany," Myrseth said. "We are now building on that achievement."