Astrobotic will be using Andøya Space as a launch and landing site for its Xodiac reusable rocket campaigns. Xodiac simulates lunar and planetary landings and tests flight systems and hardware.
More specifically, Astrobotic agrees to perform its initial European Xodiac launch campaign operations from Andøya Space. This will be starting in 2026. Andøya Space will provide services such as ground operations, flight preparation, and infrastructure support.
Both organisation describe it as a “significant milestone” for transforming Andøya Space into a state-of-the-art facility for commercial space operations.
“Partnering with Astrobotic brings launch reusability to Andøya for the first time, through reusable rocket operations, further establishing our spaceport as a key European site for innovative commercial space operations,” said Troels Sandreid, President of Andøya Spaceport.
For its part, Astrobotic highlighted the importance of a reusable rocket system for developing space applications. John Thornton, Astrobotic CEO, commented:
“Xodiac’s presence at Andøya represents a meaningful step toward delivering reliable, rapid, and cost-effective testing and demonstration capabilities to the European space market.”
“By making a flight-proven, reusable rocket available to commercial and government partners, we’re enabling customers to accelerate the development of space systems in a dedicated environment built for innovation. We’re deploying the next generation of space systems that will take humanity further than ever before.”
USA-Norway agreements
Astrobotic’s headquarters are in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
In January 2025 the U.S.A and Norway signed a Technology Safeguards Agreement (TSA) between the two countries.
Basically, it gives the green light for the export of U.S. space hardware, a “major step” for Andøya winning future satellite launches.
“The agreement is a major step toward making Andøya one of the world’s most attractive locations for satellite launches,” said Cecilie Myrseth, at the time, the Norwegian Minister for Trade and Industry.
Andøya Spaceport
The spaceport officially opened in November 2023, readying itself to be the future launch site – for small and medium sized satellites – of Isar Aerospace.
This German company has a dedicated launch pad at the spaceport. It is earmarked for use by Isar Aerospace’s launch vehicle Spectrum.
As a Launch Site Operator, Andøya Space will have overall responsibility for developing, operating and ensuring safe operations from the site. This includes operating the launch site for launch vehicles that place satellites into orbit from Norwegian soil.
Image: Andøya Space – l to r: Vincent Ciccarelli (Director of Business Development, Andøya Spaceport), Steve Clarke (Vice President of Space Programs, Astrobotic), Ketil Olsen (CEO, Andøya Space), Troels Sandreid (President, Andøya Spaceport), and Eirik Folkestad (Director of Staff, Andøya Spaceport)
See also: Norway’s Andøya Spaceport closes in on first European satellite launch
