Space Norway confirms the successful launch of its ASBM satellites.
Space Norway’s constellation of two large communication satellites was launched with a Falcon 9 rocket from the Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, at 04:02 am Norwegian time, Monday morning, August 12, 2024.
Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission is on the way
Space Norway is proud to announce that everything appears to be going according to plan so far, and we have received the first, crucial signals from both satellites.
This project marks several historical milestones in both Norwegian and international space history.
– These are Norway’s first satellites in a highly elliptical orbit (HEO).
– This is Norway’s largest space project to date.
– It is the first time anyone has sent a commercial broadband payload into HEO.
– It is the first time TAP-orbit (Three Apogee Period, with each orbit lasting 16 hours) is being used.
– It is the first time the USA is sending a military payload aboard non-American satellites.
– It is the first time we see a collaboration between allied, governmental, and commercial interests to achieve a space program that is strategically important for all parties involved.
The satellites are now on their way to their orbit, a process that will take a couple of weeks. These are complex satellites, and Space Norway will formally take ownership after a period of testing and verification in their final orbits. Users in the Arctic are expected to be able to utilise this new capability by the beginning of 2025.
