Europe’s Arctic Launch Base Clears Key Environmental Hurdle

A research project has examined whether noise from rocket launches at Andøya Spaceport reaches the rich fishing grounds off northern Norway — waters that support the Northeast Arctic cod fishery, one of Europe’s most valuable fish stocks.

As Europe looks north to strengthen its independent access to space, new research from Norway suggests that rocket launches from the Arctic coast may coexist with one of Europe’s most important fisheries.

“It was barely possible to distinguish sound that could be linked to the test launch. The sound levels correspond to what we consider normal background noise in the ocean,” says Tonje Nesse Forland of the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research.

The study was funded by FHF – Norwegian Seafood Research Fund, representing the seafood industry, following concerns among fishermen that increased space activity could disturb fish or disrupt seasonal fisheries.

The findings suggest that rocket noise does not propagate far enough underwater to affect fish behaviour in key fishing areas outside Andøya.

Tested under real conditions

The launch measured took place on 30 March 2025, when the Spectrum rocket from German company Isar Aerospace lifted off from Andøya. The flight was terminated shortly after launch in accordance with safety procedures, and the rocket fell into the sea within the designated safety zone.

Even under these real-world conditions — where the launch did not proceed as planned — researchers found no measurable increase in overall underwater sound levels near the fishing grounds.

Sound was recorded by a hydrophone positioned 4.6 kilometres from the launch site, closer to the launch pad than most active fishing areas.

“The measured sound levels are below thresholds that typically trigger behavioural responses in fish,” Forland explains. Shallow waters, coastal topography and seabed conditions further reduce sound transmission before it reaches fishing areas.

The results provide reassurance that Europe’s emerging Arctic launch infrastructure can operate without measurable acoustic impact on nearby fisheries — though continued dialogue between launch operators and the fishing industry remains essential.

Balancing space ambitions and fisheries

Following concerns raised by fishermen, FHF – Norwegian Seafood Research Fund funded independent research to examine whether military missile testing and spaceflight activity from Andøya Spaceport could affect fisheries in the surrounding waters.

Fishermen had reported worries about underwater noise and potential impacts on fish stocks and ongoing fishing activity. The research was therefore initiated to provide a science-based assessment of how increased launch activity might interact with one of Europe’s most important fishing areas.

“In recent years, spawning areas for Northeast Arctic cod have shifted northwards, and parts of the spawning now take place outside Andøya. It was therefore crucial to document, through research, what effect this activity actually has,” says Rita Naustvik, Director of Fisheries and Marine Coexistence at FHF.

“The results provide reassurance that Europe’s emerging Arctic launch infrastructure can operate without measurable acoustic impact on nearby fisheries. At the same time, continued dialogue between launch operators and the fishing industry remains essential,” Naustvik says.

Video: Spectrum launch from Andøya Spaceport, 30 March 2025.
The footage shows the launch of the Spectrum rocket from Andøya Spaceport. The flight was terminated approximately 30 seconds after liftoff in accordance with safety procedures, and the vehicle fell into the sea within the designated safety zone.