On eve of Trump's presidency, Norway signs new space agreement with the US
The Andøya Spaceport is centrepiece in the Technology Safeguards Agreement signed by US and Norwegian authorities.
The government in Oslo has long worked for the bilateral deal that is to facilitate enhanced space cooperation between the countries.
"This is a significant agreement for Norwegian security," says Bjørn Arild Gram, Norway's Defence Minister. "Space activity is becoming more important for defence cooperation, and Andøya is of great value for Norway as well as for our allies," he underlines.
The Technology Safeguards Agreement (TSA) is necessary for US authorities to authorize the transfer of US commercial launchers to launch facilities in Norway. The agreement is to help prevent unauthorized dissemination of US technology.
The deal was signed on 16 January by US State Department Assistant Secretary for International Security and Nonproliferation C.S. Eliot Kang and Norwegian Ambassador to the United States Anniken Huitfeldt.
According to Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth-Eide, the TSA has been a high priority for the Norwegian Government.
"The agreement represents a further development of the bilateral relationship between Norway and the U.S." he explains in a statement.
"This field of technology is of immense importance to both countries. It could also benefit both countries’ security and underscore the importance of Norway as an allied nation in the Arctic."
He argues that it will also benefit other NATO allies.
The Andøya Spaceport is located north of the Arctic Circle. It is quickly gaining importance in Norwegian space development and national security.
The far northern island previously housed Norway’s fleet of P-3 Orion surveillance aircrafts. It now gets several new base facilities. In addition to the Spaceport, Andøya is site for a new Norwegian-US Arctic satellite station against enemy cruise missiles. It will also be base for Norway's new long-range drones .
Andøya is also a site for testing of new military hardware. Last summer, the Kongsberg Defense and Aerospace tested its new short-range and mobile air defence system NOMADS on the island.
