The European Space Agency (ESA) and Norway have signed a letter of intent to begin planning a new ESA Arctic Space Centre in Tromsø.
The Arctic is warming up to four times faster than the rest of the planet, making satellite data essential for climate monitoring, safety, sustainability, and regional development.
Tromsø is already a key hub for Arctic space activities, hosting the mission control for the Arctic Weather Satellite, the Arctic Council Secretariat, the Norwegian Polar Institute, a campus of the Arctic University of Norway, ESA Arctic Phi-lab, ESA Business Incubation Centre and many others research organisations.
Next, ESA and the Norwegian Space Agency (NOSA) will form a working group to define the centre’s scope and governance. Their proposal is expected by the end of 2026. The centre is anticipated to focus on Earth Observation, Navigation, Telecommunications, and close collaboration across the Arctic region.
Photo credit: ESA – S. Corvaja
Photo description: Norwegian Minister of Trade and Industry Cecilie Myrseth and ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher sign letter of intent
