Norwegian Space Agency

The Norwegian Space Agency was established in 1987 as the Norwegian Space Centre, in conjunction with Norway's decision to join the European Space Agency (ESA). Operating under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries, the agency was renamed the Norwegian Space Agency in 2019, while retaining its Norwegian name Norsk Romsenter; in 2025 the organization was further renamed Direktoratet for romvirksomhet. It is headquartered in Oslo, Norway.

The agency's mission is to make Norway a leading beneficiary of space activities in Europe, coordinating national space policy, funding grants and development support for Norwegian space industry, managing Norway's contracts and contributions to ESA and EU space programs, and financing national space infrastructure. Its work spans satellite technology research and development, Arctic surveillance, positioning-navigation-timing (PNT) and satellite communications security, and the use of space-derived data to address climate and sustainability challenges.

The organization is structured into four departments: Economy, Administration and Communication; Business Development and Innovation; PNT, Satcom and Security; and Analysis and National Activities. It has been led by Director General Christian Hauglie-Hanssen since June 2018, who brings over 30 years of experience in the defense and space sectors. As a coordinating government body, the agency does not sell commercial products but funds, oversees and promotes the Norwegian space ecosystem, supporting the country's role in international missions such as Ariane and Vega launches and the European Space Agency's programs.