Spaceport 2018

                                                                                               Sjekkes mot fremføring

Ladies and gentlemen,

 

At first, it was impossible.

Then it became a dream.

An adventure.

Then it became a race.

Between superpowers.

 

It could have gone bad.

Really bad.

But, it didn't.

So we continued.

And, we succeeded.

 

We got the space down to earth.

 

What is space for us today?

Where will space technology take us in the future?

And what will it mean for life on earth?

 

We are at an exciting moment in time.

Moreover, I guess we are all welcome to join the ride.

One thing is for sure:

Norway is in the game.

So, you better watch out!

 

On behalf of the Norwegian government,

I am very honoured to open this conference.

 

Let me introduce myself.

My name is Daniel Bjarmann- Simonsen.

I am State Secretary in the Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries.

 

The main theme this year is Ocean multiplied by space.

During these two days, we will look closer into how the space industry can enable more innovation and new opportunities for ocean industry.

And, the other way around.

 

For as far back as Norwegians can trace our history, we have lived by the ocean, off the ocean and from the ocean.

The ocean is the blue thread that runs through the Norwegian history.

It has always been a source of life.

And will continue to be in the future.

We will head into the future.

Together.

 

We will continue to create jobs, create growth, and we will create solutions to global challenges.

 

The potential is there.

Tremendous as the ocean itself.

The sea covers more than  70 per cent of our planet.

Our blue planet.

Still 90 percent of the ocean is yet to be fully discovered.

Today, we know more about the surface on Mars, than the sea!

 

Norway also has a long tradition as a space nation.

We may not be the biggest one in the world.

But, humble as I am, I must say we are quite an important one.

We have been in this game for some time now.

And, we intend to stay in this game in time to come.

 

Our main ambition has always been to cover national user needs.

Naturally, this use is related to our nature.

I mean, look at Norway's wild and vulnerable nature and harsh climate.

Challenges that forces us to find the most efficient ways of managing our resources.

 

Today we are fully dependent on satellites for navigation, communication and surveillance in remote areas – both on land and at sea.

We use satellite technology within a wide range of sectors.

Within maritime, offshore, shipping and fisheries.

In all sectors related to the ocean, satellite data are increasingly used.

 

Oceanic surveillance and Search and rescue (SAR) would have been seriously reduced without satellites.

These days, we are working hard to find more environmental friendly solutions in order to make the shipping and maritime industry greener.

This is not possible without the back up from satellite data.

 

Our ocean industries have not developed separate from one another.

The development of environmentally friendly shipping is already benefitting other industries – like the seafood and the offshore sector.

 

Thanks to satellites, we can follow algal blooms, ocean currents, and salinity and temperature changes in the water.

 

We have significantly increased our knowledge of illegal and unwanted activities at sea.

 

Satellites help us detect and track vessels involved in illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and fisheries crime.

 

Satellites offers new ways of monitoring the oceanic environment.

Useful data that is helping us to manage the marine resources even better.

 

There are obvious economic and social benefits to be drawn from this.

Not only for rich industrialized countries.

But, for any country which need more knowledge to stimulate a sustainable development and provide better and more efficient services to their citizens.

 

We live in a time where new technology and digitalization rapidly changes the industrial world.

We need to find new and greener ways for production and transport in order to address the global climate changes.

 

By 2050 our blue planet will inhabit 2 billion more people.

That means that we will be needing more food.

More energy.

More of everything.

 

International space cooperation through the EU and ESA space programs provides us with highly useful insights on downstream products and services that make use of satellite technology.

 

In addition, I dare say that ESA and the EU have benefited greatly from Norway's space activities too.

 

As you may understand, the Norwegian government is committed to Norwegian space activities.

 

That is why we plan to make broadband communications available in the Arctic.

A fast, stable and solid communications system that will facilitate value creation in the High North, whether in shipping, defence, fisheries or research.

For me it is quite natural that we take a leading role in establishing better communications in this region.

 

Last week the Norwegian government announced that we are supporting the assessment of establishing a small satellite launch facility at Andøya Space Centre with a 2 million euro loan.

We hope this will put Norway in the international lead of this area in just a few years’ time.

 

We are also working on a new space legislation.

The new legislation should enable the Norwegian space sector to deliver technology and services for both private and public needs.

If the work progresses as planned, we may have a new national space legislation by 2021.

The Norwegian government is also working on a national space strategy.

The issues you address at this conference are highly relevant.

The strategy will provide guidelines for future public efforts towards Norwegian space activities.

 

It is crucial that these efforts are solid and rooted in key user groups.

Last year, we had meetings with the space industry to gain insights on capabilities and needs within the industry.

This year, we will have additional meetings to ensure that we are addressing industrial views properly.

We have also received written suggestions that will be taken into consideration.

Please, feel free to present written ideas at any point!

 

There is no doubt that the use of space brings essential contributions towards automation, digitalisation and smarter solutions.

A safer and more effective society for human beings.

But, it also makes us more vulnerable.

That said, I am confident that the exploration and utilisation of satellite data will uncover a range of possibilities for more efficient and environmentally friendly services.

 

Dear all,

Almost 50 year has gone, since Neil Armstrong stated:

"That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind".

I guess he was right.

 

The space industry will enable more innovation and new opportunities in the ocean.

And, the other way around.

That is for sure.

 

Space is big. Enormous.

So are the possibilities.

Satellite technology is just the beginning of how we are going to exploit the space in the future.

 

Thanks to you, the space will help us simplify our life.

Make us safer and hopefully contribute to a better world.

For you.

For me.

For mankind.

Thank you for your attention!