Report on the investigation of orbital Launches from Kiruna over Norway
On behalf of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries (NFD), the Civil Aviation Authority has delivered a report investigating the risks, socio-economic costs, and other consequences for Norwegian security and societal interests that would result from potential rocket launches from Sweden passing over Norway and through Norwegian airspace.
The Civil Aviation Authority was assigned this task in August 2024, and the report was delivered to the NFD at the end of February 2025.
In this report, the Civil Aviation Authority has assessed the risks, socio-economic costs, and other consequences for Norwegian security and societal interests that would arise if rockets from the Esrange Space Center were allowed to pass over Norway and through Norwegian airspace.
Activities in Norwegian airspace require permission in accordance with the Aviation Act. Read more about this here: Overflight – Space activities
The report evaluates the safety requirements that potential orbital launches would entail.
The impact such launches could have on the population in Norway, Sami interests, the environment, and protected areas are also outlined in the report.
The Civil Aviation Authority has concluded in the report that there is currently not enough information about potential orbital launches from Esrange Space Center to assess the actual risks associated with such activities. The report includes recommendations and remarks on the Flight Safety Analysis that must be conducted before the risks of potential launches can be assessed.