European Space Agency Plans to Establish Arctic Space Center in Norway

The European Space Agency (ESA) announced on the 27th that it has signed a Letter of Intent with the Norwegian government to establish an Arctic Space Center in Tromsø, a city in northern Norway. The center will utilize space technology to monitor climate change and support sustainable development and security in the Arctic region.

In a bulletin released that day, ESA stated that the Arctic is a crucial area for ecology and scientific research, and its economic and geopolitical significance is also highly prominent. Space technology and services can not only help monitor and mitigate climate change but also contribute to the region's sustainable development, public and civil security, and energy management.

According to the Letter of Intent, ESA and the Norwegian government will establish a joint expert working group to discuss matters related to the center's establishment. The working group is expected to submit recommendations concerning the center's scope of functions, priorities, governance model, and implementation timeline by the end of 2026.

Although Norway is not a member of the European Union, it is a member state of ESA and participates extensively in related ESA projects. Tromsø is the largest city in Norway within the Arctic Circle and hosts the ESA Arctic Weather Satellite Mission Control Centre.