In line with its ambition to foster closer connections and collaboration with its members, the European Space Policy Institute (ESPI) is thrilled to expand its cooperation with the Norwegian Space Agency (NOSA), building on recent collaborations on a ESPI – NOSA Space Policy Symposium in Oslo and two-day seminar for Norwegian researchers in Vienna in 2023 and 2024, respectively
Dorthea Gradek, a young graduate trainee at NOSA, will conduct a four-week research stay at ESPI, leveraging her presence at ESPI to work on research into evolving trends in EU space policy and how these trends affect third-country participants in the EU’s space policy, such as Norway. This is particularly relevant given the evolving balance between security and defence needs, and the traditional EU space policy premise of space for climate and environmental needs, such as the green transition.
Over the next month, I am looking forward to working closely with ESPI colleagues who have crucial insights on these topics and hopefully continue building bridges between ESPI and the Norwegian Space Agency, as well as the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs, which has recently established a space policy research environment in Norway. This secondment is unique in terms of timing, given the rapid geopolitical developments in Europe. It also presents the opportunity to create a mutual exchange of views on key space policy topics between our organizations, and to allow young professionals from ESPI’s member countries to gain first-hand experience from leading space policy analysts in Europe.
In parallel to a growing membership base in ESPI in the past few years, we are proud to continue deepening and broadening cooperation with our members on concrete activities and areas of mutual benefit. NOSA and ESPI have been increasing bilateral ties in recent years and this new format of cooperation, taking inspiration from our secondment arrangements at ESPI with ASI, DLR and CNES, is a great example how ESPI members can leverage their membership in the Institute.
