A Brief Overview

There are more than 150 satellites containing Norwegian technology in space. The Norwegian space industry produces goods and services for about NOK 8 billion a year, and the satellites have a wide range of applications.

Carrier rockets:

For many years, the Norwegian space industry has been supplying cutting-edge technology for the European carrier rocket Ariane 5, launched from Kourou in French Guiana.

Research:

Norwegian astrophysicists are among the best in the world, and take part in the most prestigious cosmology research projects. The Planck spacecraft is one of them.

Navigation:

Satellite-based positioning, navigation and accurate timekeeping are part of an infrastructure of great importance to society. Norway is playing an active role in developing and operating Europe's new Galileo system. In 2020, the system is operational with 26 satellites in orbit.

The Space Station:

Norway has made important contributions to the International Space Station for many years, through research into fields such as space biology and indoor climate. We have had an instrument on the station monitoring marine traffic.

Ground-based infrastructure:

A great deal of Norway's space activities take place on or from the ground. Northern Norway, Antarctica and Svalbard are ideal locations for this. The SvalSat ground station is the world's largest commercial data downloading station.

Communication:

Satellite communication accounts for about 70% of Norwegian space-related turnover. Telenor (represented here by the Thor 7 satellite) is the biggest Norwegian company involved, and owns its own satellites. TV broadcasting, marine communication and telemedicine are important areas.

Andøya:

The Andøya Space Center is also part of the Norwegian space industry's ground-based infrastructure. It was here that it all started in 1962. Since then, the space centre has launched over a thousand research rockets for researchers all over the world.

Norwegian satellite:

The four Norwegian national satellites AISSat-1, AISSat-2, NorSat-1 and NorSat-2 are monitoring maritime traffic. This is particularly important in the High North.