Norwegian pavilion at international space conference

The International Astronautical Congress (IAC) is the world's largest assembly for the space sector and brings together more than 6,000 participants each year.  

Covering all space sectors and topics, it offers participants the latest space information and developments in academia and industry, networking opportunities, contacts and potential partnerships. In 2022, the conference will take place in Paris on September 18 - 22.   

“This year, the Norwegian Space Agency's delegation is bigger than usual. This is partly because we have several bilateral meetings before the ESA Ministerial Council in November”, says Christian Hauglie-Hanssen, Director General at the Norwegian Space Agency. 

Global Space Conference On Climate Change will be held in Oslo i 2023. Credit: iafastro

The Norwegian Space Agency will meet representatives from European and international space organizations at IAC. 

“We will meet with the head of NASA and several other space organizations. We do this to stay oriented on international developments in the space industry”, says Hauglie-Hanssen. 

Innovation Norway and the Norwegian Space Agency have taken the initiative to organize a Norwegian pavilion at IAC. At the pavilion, there will also be representatives from Andøya Space, Eidel, Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace, Space Norway, Spaceport Norway, and NIFRO. 

“As always, IAC has a tight program that covers the space industry broadly. The exhibitions are always exciting, as well as the technical and scientific presentations on the latest research”, says Hauglie-Hanssen. 

Panel discussion hosted by NOSA 

In addition to the meetings with other space organizations, the delegates from the Norwegian Space Agency will meet with representatives from various countries outside of Europe. 

“This is connected to the Norwegian Government's ambition to explore how emerging economies can benefit more from space-based services”, says Hauglie-Hanssen. 

The Norwegian Space Agency will host a panel discussion on this topic during a separate event at the conference, called the Global Networking Forum. 

“Among others, the head of the EU Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA), the head of the European Space Agency (ESA), and representatives from Colombia and South Africa will contribute to the conversation”, says Hauglie-Hanssen. 

Global Space Conference on Climate Change 

The Norwegian Space Agency and the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) will host the Global Space Conference on Climate Change (GLOC) in Oslo May 23 - 25, 2023. 

GLOC 2023 will contribute to the global efforts to better understand and battle climate change through the use of space-based services and applications, not least in emerging economies. 

Increased visibility for Norway as a space nation 

Andøya Space is one of the Norwegian space companies joining IAC. 

“It is only natural that we attend the IAC when Norway has its own pavilion. It will be exciting to see how this can contribute to making Norway as a space nation and launch country more visible in the global satellite market”, says Ingun Berget, President of Andøya Spaceport at Andøya Space. 

Building a launch pad for small satellites at Andøya Space. Credit: Andøya Space/Multiconsult

Representatives from Andøya Space will have several meetings with both existing and potential customers, as well as international suppliers. 

The new commercial space industry 

“There is a lot happening at the moment with the commercialization of space and the new space economy, often called NewSpace. At IAC, we will get to see the latest in this field”, says Kathrin Kuhn, Spaceport Mission Manager at Andøya Space. 

Andøya Space Education will also have a presentation about their program “Access To Space”. This program aims to test how the NewSpace economy can increase access to space for education, universities, and start-ups, and how this cooperation can be developed further. 

Contact 

Marianne Moen – Head of Communication – Norwegian Space Agency – +47 480 63 743 

Ingun Berget – President, Andøya Spaceport – +47 907 22 253