Technology is constantly being developed that allows us to get out into space. In 2029, ESA plans to land on the moon. Now build the vessel. This happens, among other things, in district Norway. At Nammo at Raufoss in Vestre Toten, there are those who make the rocket engine for a spacecraft, which will be decommissioned in seven years. Nammo has over 70 people who work with space operations connected to the European space agency ESA’s programme. The government has presented its proposal for the national budget. More than 100 million Euros will be cut from Norway’s cooperation with ESA. Nammo says it could mean the hook on the door. Both for the environment at Raufoss, and for Norwegian involvement in the moon landing project. Perhaps also for the Norwegian aerospace industry. Fekk hakeslepp Kristian Lium is head of the aerospace industry in Nammo Raufoss. He, and several others in the Norwegian space environment, were dismayed by the government’s cut proposal. – In practice, the cut proposal means that access to the European aerospace market is closed for companies such as Nammo at Raufoss, says Lium. Almost all of the Norwegian aerospace community receives their assignments from ESA. ESA is a European space agency that promotes European cooperation for civil purposes within space research, space technology and the use of space. Norway is among the countries that are members. As mentioned, Nammo is working on developing an engine for a rocket that will go to the moon. If the government cuts support as planned, it could fail, says Lium. – Norway will not participate in this moon landing project. Nammo Raufoss must end this project and, in the worst case scenario, fire the employees who work there. Today, the government contributed 161 million euros to ESA. From 2023 to 2030, they will only contribute 45. That is a reduction of over one billion Norwegian kroner. Despite the fact that the Hurdal platform states that the government will invest in the space industry. – This is the exact opposite. This is not investing in a successful Norwegian export business that has worked excellently for 30 years. The Ministry of Trade and Industry will not comment on the matter until it has been considered in the Storting. NUCLEUS: Nammo at Raufoss was, among other things, behind the first all-Norwegian rocket launch in 2018, when they launched Nucleus from Andøya. Photo: Trond Abrahamsen May lose important expertise Bastien Hämmerli is originally from Switzerland. He applied to Raufoss to work with what he dreamed of: large rocket engines. It has been seven years since he came there. Now he has established himself in the district with his wife, house and children. The project he is working on now is funded until 2025. But after that, the future is uncertain if the money disappears. RESIDENCE IN NORWAY: Bastien Hämmerli was very happy in Norway and in his job at Raufoss. If there is less money for the project he is working on, he may have to move to another country. Photo: Arne Sørenes / news – I think we have to choose between staying in Norway or following my dream of working in space travel. In that case, it means moving to another country with the whole family. And find work for both my wife and me. Kristian Lium says that they have built up a professional environment with high competence at Raufoss for up to 20 years. Nammo is best known for producing weapons, which have now been very sought after. The work with space travel is about 10 percent of the turnover of the business area, Aerospace Propulsion in Nammo. And they turn over around NOK 100 million a year through various collaborative projects with ESA. – It is life or death for the Norwegian space industry and the company at Raufoss. He fears they will have to make up to 70 employees redundant if they cannot continue with the space operation. Then you could also lose an important knowledge base in Norway, he believes. – There are no equivalent jobs in Norway. The space industry is important to maintain a knowledge base within the development environment that also benefits the military products. Should go up in the Storting Høgre, Frp, Liberal Party and MDG will take up the matter in the Storting. They want you to continue paying the same amount to ESA’s voluntary programs as you do today. Alfred Bjørlo is Venstre’s member of the industry committee. He says the cut is dramatic and could have major negative consequences for the industry, among other things. He believes that Norway is an important nation for European space travel. SATELLITES: Alfred Bjørlo (V) says it is important to continue the work with satellites. They can monitor both our sea areas and monitor climate change. Photo: Geir Olsen / NTB – And then there are a surprising number of companies that depend on space travel and space technology. And with the tense situation we have with Russia, it is extremely important that we are on the ball in participating in cooperation with technology that can monitor, says Bjørlo. The industry committee will deal with the case during the week. The Ministry of Trade and Industry says they will not comment on the matter until it has been considered in the Storting.
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Nammo Raufoss Fears cuts from the Government will force Norway to stop space activities – news Innlandet – Local news, TV and radio
