Andøya Space launch site

[Yggdrasill]

Green light for Andøya Space financing: - A historic day

Today, Andøya Space was awarded NOK 365.6 million ($42 million) in government funding to establish a new smallsat launch site. This launch site will be the first orbital launch site in Norway, and is one of very few orbital launch sites in Europe, planned or operational. (Especially besides Plesetsk Cosmodrome, which is unavailable for commercial launch vehicles.) With funding secure, it seems like it will become a reality, so I thought it deserved it's own thread.

The site will have up to three launch pads and will support up to 30 launches per year of small-lift and medium-lift launch vehicles, to between 87.4 and 108 degree inclinations. And it's position at approximately 69 degrees north provides more efficient access to polar orbits than all other launch sites in the world.

Andøya Space currently has contracts with two launch providers:

1. Isar Aerospace. https://www.andoyaspace.no/articles/isar-aerospace-signs-exclusive-launch-pad-in-norway-for-up-to-20-years
2. Rocket Factory Augsburg https://www.andoyaspace.no/articles/rocket-factory-augsburg-secures-launch-site-in-andoya-norway

As far as I can determine, the attached pdf (in Norwegian) contains the most current information about the planned site, pages 3-56. It details the construction of Pad A, with a Pad B and pad C planned for the future. Pad A will be ready for use towards the end of 2022. I get the impression Pad B will be constructed before 2025, while Pad C is intended to be a possible for expansion in the future, without any concrete plans at the moment to make it a reality. Pad B/C will be covered in a later application.

The previously approved plan was to build an interim pad on land, and then build two launch pads on an artificial island. And this plan was rejected at some point because the distance between the pads would be insufficient, and I assume it would be costly to increase it to the required size. Pad A replaces the interim pad in a slightly different location, and is a permanent installation. Pad A will support a maximum of 10 launches per year.

There's also a lot of information here, also mostly in Norwegian, but this is before the recent modifications described in the pdf: https://www.andoyaspace.no/what-we-do/orbital-launch/impact-assessments

The noise analysis might be particularly interesting, assuming a launch vehicle with 57 tons of thrust (I don't believe this is a firm limit to what the launch site actually can launch, though): https://cms.andoyaspace.no/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/vedlegg_3_andoya_spaceport_fagrapport_stoy_borvagen_norconsult_2019.pdf

[Yggdrasill]

But this situation potentially blurs lines. For example, why would Norway accept the unlimited liability under UN OST of a German vehicle going wrong, when all it provides is the concrete launch pad?

I really don't know much about the legislation concerning orbital launches from Norway, but just to provide some context - it's not just a concrete pad. The military airport on Andøya is going to be mostly closed down by 2023, which is a part of the motivation for trying to generate new economic activity for this community.

The launch site is expected to provide around 150 jobs, directly and indirectly. There will be payload integration facilities, propellant production, etc. For launches, you need people to clear the pad and the surrounding areas and things like weather reports. And each launch is expected to bring a team of 10-20 people to stay for up to a month, generating activity at hotels, restaurants, car rental places, etc. There's expected to be some increase in tourism to see the rocket launches.

[CameronD]

From T-Minus Engineering on LinkedIn:

On the 3th of October at Andøya Space Norway, T-Minus Engineering launched a T-Minus DART rocket.

With an efficient buildup and preparation, the rocket motor ignited perfectly and the vehicle accelerated out of the tower to the supersonic regime. At high supersonic speed, an instability occurred and the vehicle was unable to deploy a qualification payload engineered by T-Minus Engineering. The reason for this anomaly is currently under investigation.

Overall we look back at a successful test campaign and collaboration, and we are one step closer to a fully successful flight.
We thank the staff of Andøya Space and DLR Moraba for their support during the campaign.

[Yggdrasill]

For those who are unfamiliar with Andøya, this is from the current suborbital launch site which has been in operation since 1962.

The orbital launch site will be built a bit further south along the coast.

[Steven Pietrobon]

The payloads also failed to separate from the two DART launches at the Koonibba Test Range. I wonder if the problems are related.

[Yggdrasill]

Three contractors have been selected for constructing the first launch pad and associated infrastructure/buildings. Sortland Entreprenør AS, Karstein Kristiansen Entreprenør and Leonhard Nilsen & Sønner will be doing the construction. They will start early 2022 and expect to be finished in time for the first orbital launch in late 2022.

https://www-vol-no.translate.goog/nyheter/andoy/2021/11/24/Skal-bygge-Spaceport-24858625.ece?_x_tr_sl=no&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=no&_x_tr_pto=nui

[Yggdrasill]

https://spacewatch.global/2022/01/andoya-spaceport-and-innospace-signs-launch-mou/

Edinburgh, 6 January 2022. – South-Korean Innospace and Norwegian Andøya Space signed a Memorandum of Understanding to launch into polar and sun-synchronous orbits from Norway, Andøya Space announced.

[Yggdrasill]

Some updated documents were recently released, as part of a public hearing on the proposed facility. I've attached the pdf.

Some more details of the plans were included. Some of the things I could see:

1. There's still three pads planned, A and B to be constructed immediately and C as a future option. A is 60 x 100 meters (197 x 328 ft), B and C are 100 x 150 meters (328 x 492 ft). The pads will include launch tower type structures of up to 15 meters (49 ft) height, and lightning deflection towers of up to 45 meters (148 ft) height.

2. They are planning two assembly/integration/test buildings close to the pad, which will be used for storage once the main building complex is finished further away from the pads. These two buildings are each 750 square meters (8000 sq ft) and 15-20 meters (49-66 ft) height.

3. Around one km north of the site, they are planning a 15 x 50 meter (49 x 164 ft) concrete pad for some permanent antennas and radars. They will be enclosed in a 10 meter (33 ft) diameter radar dome.

4. The main building complex is planned to be around 20,000 square meters (215,000 sq ft) of up to 25 meters (82 ft) height, including up to four assembly/integration/test halls, launch control, visitor center, accommodations, etc.

5. Based on when this public hearing started, they seem to be around two months delayed since the plans were made in November.

I'm unsure when exactly they can start construction. It seems to me like no earlier than April. But probably later.

[Yggdrasill]

Andøya Space has responded to a journalist and say they expect construction to start at the end of the month. So the previous application process can't be a hindrance to starting. I believe pad A is unchanged from the first approved application, so maybe they can build that, and only need the new permit for pad B and C.

Swedish article: https://www.nyteknik.se/premium/vem-vinner-rymdkampen-sverige-eller-norge-7028482 (Google translate)

[CameronD]

Andøya Space has responded to a journalist and say they expect construction to start at the end of the month. So the previous application process can't be a hindrance to starting. I believe pad A is unchanged from the first approved application, so maybe they can build that, and only need the new permit for pad B and C.

Swedish article: https://www.nyteknik.se/premium/vem-vinner-rymdkampen-sverige-eller-norge-7028482 (Google translate)

Well, it is good to know there are places in this world where the relevant government agencies actually encourage and support the growth of a new space launch industry in their country.

I wish that were true in Australia 

[Yggdrasill]

Well, it is good to know there are places in this world where the relevant government agencies actually encourage and support the growth of a new space launch industry in their country.

I wish that were true in Australia 

I know there is this site: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whalers_Way_Orbital_Launch_Complex

But are you referring to the resistance from environmentalists?

There is some resistance at Andøya as well. The local fisheries really don't like the maritime closures that would be required. Some general NIMBY from owners of affected properties, as well. Environmentalists probably would be more concerned if there hadn't been suborbital launches being performed since the 60s.

[CameronD]

Well, it is good to know there are places in this world where the relevant government agencies actually encourage and support the growth of a new space launch industry in their country.

I wish that were true in Australia 

I know there is this site: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whalers_Way_Orbital_Launch_Complex

But are you referring to the resistance from environmentalists?

There is some resistance at Andøya as well. The local fisheries really don't like the maritime closures that would be required. Some general NIMBY from owners of affected properties, as well. Environmentalists probably would be more concerned if there hadn't been suborbital launches being performed since the 60s.

Not just the environmentalists.. although we sure have our share of NIMBYs here!  The Australian Space Agency themselves have been extremely reluctant to approve launch licenses and permits here and much prefer people launch from some other country ...but that's a topic for another thread: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=46926.0

[Rik ISS-fan]

Andoyaspace.no: Coorperation agreement for Andoya Spaceport Phase 1 signed  ^{(Norwegan, use translate)}
Andoya Spaceport has entered a cooperation agreement with SEKK and LNS for the development and construction of the first launch zone at Andoya (Nordmela/ Børvågen) orbital launch site. The first phase also includes the first vehicle assembly building, support building and temporary launch control center.
This work is planned for this year.
The article contains images and a vimeo video with progress of groundwork at the launch site, and the quarry that AFAIK could be used to stow pyrotechnics in the future.
There are follow-on phases that could lead to spaceport completion by 2025. With AFAIK three launch zones. I think they could be allowed to do 30 orbital launches annually from Andoya orbital spaceport.

[Yggdrasill]

Andoyaspace.no: Coorperation agreement for Andoya Spaceport Phase 1 signed  ^{(Norwegan, use translate)}
Andoya Spaceport has entered a cooperation agreement with SEKK and LNS for the development and construction of the first launch zone at Andoya (Nordmela/ Børvågen) orbital launch site. The first phase also includes the first vehicle assembly building, support building and temporary launch control center.
This work is planned for this year.
The article contains images and a vimeo video with progress of groundwork at the launch site, and the quarry that AFAIK could be used to stow pyrotechnics in the future.
There are follow-on phases that could lead to spaceport completion by 2025. With AFAIK three launch zones. I think they could be allowed to do 30 orbital launches annually from Andoya orbital spaceport.

I was about to post something about this. It's cool to finally see some progress. Pad A is clearly being constructed right now.

A direct link to the video from the site:

[Yggdrasill]

They actually have a couple of videos from earlier that I had also somehow missed.

Oldest:



Newer:

[harrystranger]

This high-resolution satellite image of the construction progress at Launch Pad A was taken on 2022-06-27 @ 10:49:34 UTC.

You can browse the image on a map here: https://api.soar.earth/short/17906a1676

[Yggdrasill]

I came across some videos from the build. The current status is that they took over the Assembly, Integration and Test building from the contractor a few days ago. They are still working on the pad and other infrastructure.

The expectation is completion this spring, and the first launch later this year.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=878812809932946

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1308066049760693

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1352364235170227

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1250913922359542

[harrystranger]

Google Maps now has updated imagery of the site from June 18, 2023.
https://www.google.com/maps/@69.1076245,15.5926401,459m/data=!3m1!1e3?entry=ttu

[Yggdrasill]

Some recent updates:

1: Tankage at the site is coming along nicely. https://twitter.com/AndoyaSpace/status/1698682921190584724

2. First launch scheduled for second half of 2023. Source: https://andoyaspace.no/news-articles/well-under-way-to-the-first-test-launch-from-andoya-spaceportt/

3. Andøya Spaceport will be receiving an additional 150 million NOK (~15 million dollars) for military space applications. As I can gather, it's mostly for upgrading security at the site. Source in Norwegian: https://www.nrk.no/nordland/regjeringen-varsler-betydelig-militaer-romsatsing-pa-andoya-spaceport-1.16544178

4. The official opening of Andøya Spaceport is November 2nd, and crown prince Haakon will attend to mark the occasion. Source in Norwegian: https://www.vol.no/nyheter/i/Mok4jJ/kronprinsen-skal-aapne-andoeya-spaceport

[PM3]

2. First launch scheduled for second half of 2023. Source: https://andoyaspace.no/news-articles/well-under-way-to-the-first-test-launch-from-andoya-spaceportt/

"The first test flight of Isar Aerospace’s Spectrum at Andøya Spaceport is scheduled to take place in the second half of 2023."

 

Isar has not built any rocket stage yet. Which realistically means that nothing will launch from Andøya before 2026.