US, Norway Sign Tech Safeguard Agreement Involving Space Launches

The U.S. and Norway signed a new technology safeguards agreement last week that outlines the “legal and technical framework” for U.S. commercial space launches from Norwegian spaceports while also “ensuring proper handling of sensitive technology,” the State Department said. The agency said the agreement is “consistent” with the Missile Technology Control Regime, the multilateral group of countries that adheres to controls around missile- and space-related technologies. “This Agreement protects sensitive U.S. technology and sets the standard for how others should use such sensitive technology in the conduct of satellite and rocket launches from foreign locations,” the State Department said.