(ORDO NEWS) — Annoya, a narrow, picturesque island along the coast of Northern Norway, can see that its fate begins to clear up after the loss of a significant part of its military population.
The government has allocated up to NOK 365 million to finance a new station to launch satellites on the island.
Construction of a new launch pad may begin this fall. “The government wants this project to be implemented,” said Trade Minister Iselin Nibyo to the state television channel NRK on Thursday.
“This opens up the possibilities for a new space adventure on Annoya.” She also hopes that this can contribute to the further development of scientific and technological knowledge in Norway.
The cosmodrome will be part of the Annoya Space Center, which is mainly owned by the state and which is already launching research satellites and balloons. Now it aims to become a European base for launching other small satellites, which are currently awaiting launch along with larger satellites from space centers in India, the US, New Zealand and French Guiana.
Annoya however will begin to compete with similar launch projects in Sweden, Scotland and Portugal. Odd Roger Enoksen, a former government minister who currently runs the Annoya Space Center, called government funding “fantastic,” adding that he now expects the necessary funds to be provided. “This will mean a lot, not only for Annoy, but for the whole of Norway,” Enoxen told NRK.
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