ESA and Norway, through the Norwegian Space Agency (NOSA), will now form a joint working group for experts to examine the possibilities for the ESA Arctic Space Centre. The Working Group will report back on a proposed scope for the centre along with the thematic priorities, governance model, and implementation timeline before the end of 2026. Subject to the development of its operational scope, the ESA Arctic Space Centre may be expected to work particularly in the areas of Earth observation, navigation and telecommunications, and to work closely with stakeholders across the Arctic region.

Norway has been a Member State of ESA since 1987 participating in a wide range of ESA programmes, and although not a member state of the European Union, takes part in Copernicus and Galileo through an addition to the Agreement on the European Economic Area.