Director General at Norwegian Space Agency, Christian Hauglie-Hanssen, delivered the opening keynote at the summit.
In late August 2025, more than 140 invited participants from across the world gathered on Andøya — where nature, science, and ambition meet — for Spaceport Norway: Arctic² (Andøya Satellite Summit).
For three days, industry leaders, policymakers, researchers, and entrepreneurs met in one of the most spectacular places in Norway to explore new perspectives on space access, dual-use innovation, sustainability, and Arctic opportunity.
The all-inclusive format, the carefully curated group of participants, and the focus on genuine dialogue made this summit something truly special. Delegates described it as inspiring, extraordinarily well-organized, and a place where real collaboration happens.
The post-event survey confirmed that impression: participants rated the overall experience at 93 percent, with organization and execution scoring above 95 percent, and the social program and excursions close behind. Many highlighted the unique combination of professional content, atmosphere, and location as what made Arctic² stand out.
“This summit confirmed what we’ve been working for years to show — that Norway, and especially Andøya, has a central role in the global space ecosystem,” says Ole Dokka, Founder and Executive Director of Spaceport Norway. “It’s not just about rockets and satellites — it’s about building a platform for collaboration, innovation, and exploration.”
The program at Arctic² reflected a unique balance between strategic, political, and industrial perspectives, featuring speakers and panelists from across the Norwegian and international space ecosystem.
The summit opened with a keynote by Christian Hauglie-Hanssen, Director General of the Norwegian Space Agency (NOSA), who set the tone for three days of exploration, collaboration, and forward-looking discussion.
Among the many contributors were two senior directors from the European Space Agency (ESA), together with leading representatives from Andøya Space, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, Space Norway, and Isar Aerospace.
This blend of institutional leadership, industrial capacity, and entrepreneurial energy gave the summit a rare depth — bridging European strategy with commercial momentum.
Sessions explored how access to space from the Arctic changes Europe’s strategic capacity, how to build responsible and resilient space infrastructure, and how public–private collaboration can unlock new business models in the years ahead.
The diversity of voices — from national agencies and established industry to start-ups, academia, and investors — was central to the dialogue. The tone was open, direct, and solution-oriented.
At Arctic², the audience was as important as the speakers. Every participant was invited for a reason — to contribute meaningfully to the dialogue, challenge perspectives, and share insight.
The participants represented a remarkable range of backgrounds and geographies — from Europe, Asia, and the United States — including leaders from the defense sector, political representatives from the Norwegian Parliament, regulatory officials, lawyers, investors, and industry executives.
This mix of expertise and perspective gave the discussions depth and context far beyond the stage. The summit felt more like a working meeting between peers than a traditional conference. Conversations flowed naturally between sessions, during meals, and across the all-inclusive program. Ideas were challenged, partnerships were formed, and new collaborations began — both on and off stage.
This dynamic — where no one is just an observer — is what we try to achiecve in Spaceport Norway.
It is where policy meets practice, and where ambition turns into connection.
The social and cultural program at Arctic² added another dimension to the experience. The highlight for many was the evening performance by soprano Renate Ekerhovd, whose moving interpretation under the Arctic sky left the audience deeply touched.
Participants also joined a whale safari, where multiple whales appeared within close range — a powerful reminder of the natural environment that defines Andøya.
Excursions included guided visits to the Andøya Space facilities and the new launch site, where Isar Aerospace will soon conduct the second full test of its Spectrum launch vehicle.
The summit also received strong political support from both Andøy Municipality and Nordland County, represented by their mayors at the opening dinner — a clear signal of the region’s commitment to developing Andøya as a key part of Norway’s and Europe’s access-to-space capability.
No summit of this quality happens without strong support.
The sponsors, partners, and local contributors behind Arctic² played a vital role in making the event possible — not only financially, but through their commitment, expertise, and belief in collaboration as a driver of progress.
GEO Sponsor: Space Norway
LEO Sponsors: EIDEL, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, Isar Aerospace, Andøy Municipality, and the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia
Partners: Norwegian Space Agency (NOSA), Andøya Space, and Innovation Norway
Their contributions went far beyond support — they brought substance, energy, and meaning to what Spaceport Norway stands for: connecting people, ideas, and opportunity in space.
A special thank you to our sponsors that have been instrumental for many years.
Local partners:
Catering: Arresten | Transport: Andøya Taxi | Audio Visual: Andøylyd | Whale Safari: Whale2sea | Accommodation: Thon Partner Hotel Andrikken, Andenes Suite Hotel, and Grønnbuene Rorbu Hotel
Thank you for delivering high quality services and being a great collaborator for Spaceport Norway on Andøya.
Behind the success of Arctic² was a dedicated and professional team effort.
Spaceport Norway, in close partnership with Norwegian Promotion Group (NPG), delivered a seamless experience — from concept and planning to on-site execution and logistics.
The collaboration was characterized by professionalism, creativity, and trust. NPG’s experience, structure, and attention to detail made a real difference, and the partnership will continue for future Spaceport Norway events.
A special mention goes to the 13 students who attended as sponsored participants, volunteers, and even moderators on stage. Their energy, curiosity, and professionalism bridged the gap between the next generation and today’s leaders — embodying what Spaceport Norway has always stood for: creating real opportunities for young people to engage with, contribute to, and shape the future of space. Supporting students and emerging talent will remain a key commitment in the years to come.
We at Spaceport Norway know we also made mistakes a— things we will learn from and improve as we move forward.
Every event teaches us something new, and this one, perhaps more than any before, showed what is possible when ambition and collaboration come together in the right place.
Explore the full gallery (100 images by DroneNord):
spaceport-norway.no/arctic2-andoya-satellite-summit/arctic2-one
The next chapter in the Spaceport Norway story unfolds in Oslo on 4 December 2025, with
NEW – Space Race / Business / Resilience — a full-day event exploring the next frontier of the space economy and its value far beyond the space sector itself.
The program will be announced shortly.
And for those who joined us on Andøya this August — you’re already secured an invitation to the next summit on Andøya, to be announced at the event in Oslo, 4 December.
Stay tuned. The momentum continues.