Potential risks and consequences of launch operations from Sweden over Norway

NFD has also asked CAA Norway to assess the risks and safety consequences of potential launches from Spaceport Esrange that may affect Norway and Norwegian interests, and, if necessary, to determine the safety requirements that must be imposed on rockets passing over Norway.  

Esrange Space Center is a rocket launch site and spaceport established outside Kiruna in Sweden and is owned and operated by the Swedish Space Corporation (SSC).

Sounding rockets (sub-orbital rockets) have been launched from Esrange Space Center since 1966. When launching sounding rockets, rocket parts are supposed to land within defined safety areas in Sweden and therefore not affect Norway. However, there have been instances where rocket parts have landed in Norway, most recently on April 24th, 2023, when a research rocket landed about 15 km into Norway after a launch from Esrange.

A new spaceport

The new spaceport – Spaceport Esrange – opened on January 13th, 2023. Following media announcements that rocket launches are planned from the spaceport, with the first launch scheduled for 2025 or 2026, CAA Norway was tasked to review the planned operations from Spaceport Esrange.

Approval by CAA Norway

Based on the information available today, an orbital rocket launch from Sweden would pass through Norwegian airspace. A rocket launching through Norwegian airspace requires a permit from CAA Norway prior to launch. Therefore, rocket launches from the Swedish spaceport cannot be carried out without such permit being given by CAA Norway.

The illustration shows a potentially affected area in Norway based on information received from Swedish authorities.

Mapping the consequences

Since June 2024, the Civil Aviation Authority has been working to establish a solid factual basis for the investigation, including clarifying which operations are actually planned. Concrete information is necessary to clarify risks , and Swedish authorities have therefore been asked to provide the necessary information as a basis for the assessments.

A broad mapping of possible consequences for Norwegian interests is also being carried out, including consequences for the ocean industry , fisheries, Sami interests, the environment, the Armed Forces, passenger and freight transport, emergency preparedness, and life and health for the communities affected.

CAA Norway – supervisory authority for space activities

The investigation work is carried out by CAA Norway. Since 2023, CAA Norway has been designated as the national supervisory authority for space activities. CAA Norway assesses applications for orbital launches from Norway and oversees Andøya Spaceport.

To carry out its work  as the space supervisory authority, CAA Norway has established a unit with inspectors with expertise in the field of space activities.

Report due February 2025

The report is to  be delivered to the Ministry  by the end of February 2025, provided that CAA Norway receives the requested information from the Swedish authorities.  

The report aims to give the Norwegian government a clearer picture of the aforementioned risks and consequences of the potential rocket launches from Sweden over Norway.