European launch service provider Isar Aerospace has secured a contract with the Norwegian Space Agency to launch satellites into orbit for the Arctic Ocean Surveillance program.
Isar will use its Spectrum launch vehicle for the mission, which aims to position two spacecraft — AOS-Demo and AOS-Precursor — in sun-synchronous orbit. The AOS-Demo, developed by EIDEL, will evaluate the effectiveness of maritime monitoring technology, while the AOS-Precursor, created by Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, is intended to monitor fishing activities and other operations.
The launch is scheduled at Andøya Spaceport, the region’s first operational spaceport, in 2028.
Daniel Metzler, co-founder and CEO of Isar, said, “We are committed to enabling independent access to space from Andøya Spaceport, strengthening national and European security and resilience by providing cost-effective and reliable orbital launch services.”
The Arctic Ocean Surveillance Initiative, part of the broader Arctic Surveillance Programme, is a Norwegian government-led effort to use space-based technologies to monitor unauthorized fishing, support search and rescue operations, and conduct routine surveillance of waters surrounding Norway.
Christian Hauglie-Hanssen, director general of the Norwegian Space Agency, highlighted the partnership’s significance as a testament to Norway’s advancements in space technology manufacturing. “Our partnership with the European launch service provider Isar Aerospace strengthens both the nation’s expertise and capabilities while positioning Andøya Spaceport as a strategic launch site for Europe,” he said.