DECEMBER 2025AEROSPACEDEFENSEREVIEW.COM8In My OpinionSpace assets and capabilities are increasingly important to support inter- and national security and prosperity. In 1982, the US established its Space Command. In 2004, the EU established the European Defence Agency (EDA). However, in 2019, a wave of establishment occurred: NATO Space Policy, US Space Force, UK and France Space Commands. In 2020, Italy and Denmark followed with their space commands, and the Norwegian Intelligence Service was appointed Norway's military space authority. NATO also established its Space Centre in 2020. In 2021, Germany, Spain and Canada established their Space Commands. Space-based systems enhance military abilities to anticipate threats and plan responses with greater speed, effectiveness and precision.Norway's geographical location entails a greater need for space-based services to provide monitoring and surveillance, as well as communication. A civilian-military collaboration has been set up to ensure a cost-efficient build-up of satellite-based services. Thanks to the miniaturization of electronics and the CubeSat revolution, small satellites (<500 kg) have become increasingly capable. However, to use these smaller satellites for critical services, they need to offer high reliability and availability.In 2022, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KDA) purchased most shares in SmallSat provider NanoAvionics, and we were able to bring into the company our over 200 years of history and experience in innovating new technologies and integrating complex system solutions. This has eventually led to what we now call the New Space 3.0 revolution, which is rooted in what our customers ask of us in the market and our over 40 years of legacy in developing critical space systems.KDA is a system provider and our merging with NanoAvionics allowed us to better assess a user's need for information and translate this to which sensor suite and platform is best fit for purpose, which mission concept tailors Christina Aas is the Technology Director for SmallSat Systems at Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, where she leads a talented team in developing Norway's next generation of small satellites to meet governmental and societal needs. With a strong academic background, Christina holds a bachelor's degree in physics and a master's in aerospace engineering and has completed management courses, including at the International Space University (ISU). She co-founded Science & Technology AS in 2010, which became one of Oslo's fastest-growing companies, earning the 5th place Gazelle ranking in 2016. Through this article, Aas emphasises the increasing importance of space assets and capabilities for national security and prosperity. She also discusses the role of space-based systems in enhancing military capabilities, providing monitoring and surveillance and supporting communication.By Christina Aas, Technical Director, SmallSat Systems, Kongsberg Defence & AerospaceNEW SPACE 3.0 ENABLES RESPONSIVENESS, RESILIENCE AND AVAILABILITYChristina Aas
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