The Norwegian Space Agency (NOSA) (formerly the Norwegian Space Centre (NSC); Norwegian: Norsk Romsenter) is a Norwegian government agency that follows up Norway's public space activities. NOSA's goal is to ensure that Norway benefits from any space activity in which the Norway engages in. The agency was established as the Norwegian Space Centre in 1987 in conjunction with Norway's decision to join the European Space Agency (ESA). It functions as an agency of the Norwegian Ministry of Trade and Industry. Its purpose is to conduct space activities that are of use to society and contribute to business development. The agency is also charged with safeguarding and promoting Norway's interests in relation to ESA and the EU space programmes and in bilateral agreements with other countries. Its headquarters is located in Oslo, the nearest commuter train station is Skøyen station. History Norway has been engaged in space activities since the 1960s, well before the agency's founding. On 18 August 1962, the first rocket was launched from the Andøya Space Center in Vesterålen, Norway; this facility has been in regular use as a launch site for space-bound vehicles ever since. By 2012, in excess of 1,000 sounding rockets had reportedly been launched from Norwegian soil. Furthermore, since the 1960s, Norway started routinely funding satellite communications research, which has helped the country develop itself as the optimum location for receiving date from satellites stationed in a polar orbit. Norway was reportedly the first nation to use satellite communicates inland, enabling it to better support its oil industry and remote sites in the Arctic wilderness. During 1987, Norway became a member states of the European Space Agency (ESA). That same year, Norwegian Space Centre was established as a government body responsible for organising Norwegian space activities, particularly those related to the ESA and other international efforts, as well as its work in coordinating national efforts. One of its roles is to manage and distribute funding to most efficiently support the space sector and benefit Norwegian interests. Proposals produced by the body are overseen by the Norwegian Ministry of Trade and Industry. Since the agency's founding, Norway has continued to expand its space-based activities. The nation hosts the largest ground station for the Galileo global navigation satellite system (GNSS). Norwegian-built components have been integrated into many satellites in addition to the Ariane 5 heavy-lift launch vehicle and the International Space Station; various space-based missions have