📋 Tender Overview
In mid-July, two large Norwegian satellites will be launched with a rocket from SpaceX at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California in the United States. The satellites will provide broadband to the Arctic. This will benefit aircraft, research vessels, fishing vessels, cruise ships, coast guards, expeditions and other operators in the Arctic. The Armed Forces will also have access to important communication capacity, which is crucial for cooperation with allied forces in the north.
"This is Norway's largest space project to date and a lift-off for a new era for Norwegian space travel. When the satellites are in place in the right orbit and all settings are adjusted, they will ensure broadband communication throughout the Arctic. This gives Norway control over strategically important communication services in an area that until now has been without broadband coverage. This will strengthen Norwegian security and national control," says Minister of Defence Bjørn Arild Gram (Centre Party).
"The High North is Norway's most important strategic area of interest. Climate change is contributing to increased activity and expanded areas of operation in the Arctic. The economic opportunities resulting from the melting of the sea ice make the area interesting to more and more people. The Armed Forces will now have access to very important communication capacity, which will be important in cooperation with allied forces in the north," says Gram.
International rivalry increases the strategic importance of outer space. Space technology can be used for surveillance, intelligence and target selection, among other things, and will be crucial for conducting effective military operations.
"Space-based capabilities are becoming increasingly important for maintaining NATO's freedom of action in the High North. Satellite systems are of increased importance for Norway's and NATO's security. Thus, redundancy and backup solutions for space-based technology are becoming increasingly important," says Gram.
The Government expects Norway to play a more central role in the utilisation of space in the future.
"Norway's unique geographical location, our expertise and capacity in the development and launch of satellites, as well as the downloading of satellite data, give Norway comparative advantages in cooperation with the US, the EU and other allies. When the two Norwegian satellites become operational, Norway will have taken a big step into space," says Gram.
The state-owned company Space Norway, which is leading the Norwegian satellite program, will stream live from the launch on its website.
