The Norwegian Government is giving the go ahead for the establishment of a launch base for small satellites on Andøya after Andøya Space has been approved funding amounting to NOK 365.6 million (37,054,510.56 euros).
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“This is a historic day for Andøya and for Norway as a space nation. Andøya Space will become a driver for the economic transformation of the community on Andøya and will provide a boost for the whole of Northern Norway. Norway is hereby becoming one of very few countries capable of launching satellites from its own territoryâ€, says Prime Ministry Erna Solberg.
“Andøya Space expects up to 150 new jobs in connection with the launch base. This is technology that is currently being developed and Northern Norway will therefore receive several exciting and modern, specialised and highly skilled workplaces. There is considerable competition in the field and the requirements for quality are high. Andøya will have to continuously develop in order to keep upâ€, says Minister of Trade and Industry Iselin Nybø (Liberal Party).
The first satellite launch from Andøya is expected to take place during the third quarter of 2022.
In June 2020, the Norwegian Parliament (Stortinget) approved a conditional grant to Andøya Space of up to NOK 282.6 million in equity and NOK 83 million in regional aid to establish a launch base for small satellites on Andøya. In order for the funding to be disbursed, Andøya Space had to document that the equity would provide the state with a financial return corresponding to what a rational market investor would have accepted.
The company also had to present a plan that ensures that the interests of other industries, e.g., the fishing industry, will be safeguarded in a sound manner. It has been important for the Norwegian Government to facilitate the coexistence of the satellite launch base and other industries on and around Andøya.
“Andøya Space has had close dialogue with the fishing industry and the tourism industry to find good solutions for coexistence. We expect that the parties continue to show a willingness for dialogue and constructive cooperationâ€, says Nybø.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries will continue to closely follow-up the investment, in the same manner as a private investor would have done and will set requirements that contracts and key customers and suppliers are in place before the funding is disbursed. ■