The Norwegian government plans to invest nearly NOK 650 million, approximately €59.8 million, to construct a second orbital launch pad at Andøya Spaceport. Under the new proposal, the state will retain ownership of the infrastructure and lease it to the commercial operator Andøya Space, in which the government holds a 90% stake.
Minister of Trade and Industry Cecilie Myrseth announced the investment, which marks a change from the previous business model that required Andøya Space to secure a long-term contract with a launch provider before building a second pad. The government will now bear the full cost of construction, with the Norwegian Defence Estates Agency, Forsvarsbygg, tasked with the project.
Funding will be split across two fiscal years. The government plans to allocate NOK 323.3 million in the 2027 budget, with the remainder included in the 2028 budget. Further details regarding the financing sources are expected when the 2027 state budget is published on 7 October.
The Norwegian Armed Forces will provide security for the spaceport area, mirroring the model used at the Guiana Space Centre. The first launch pad at the site is currently reserved for the German startup Isar Aerospace, which successfully launched its Spectrum rocket from the facility on 5 September 2026.
