About Space Norway

Satcom is the largest business unit within Space Norway, offering a broad array of communication services to a diverse range of international and domestic clients. These services are delivered by the THOR satellite fleet, positioned at the 1° West orbital location in the Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO), as well as the ASBM satellites in Highly Elliptical Orbit (HEO).

We provide data communication solutions with associated teleport services for governments, public institutions, and commercial clients. Additionally, we offer managed connectivity services and raw satellite capacity for maritime mobility and land-based enterprises across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Arctic, and the North Atlantic.

Satcom also delivers media broadcasting services across the Nordics and Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), along with global occasional broadcast solutions.

The Earth Observation department undertakes a variety of satellite projects and programs, in addition to owning and managing Earth observation satellites.

Our primary focus is on satellites that deliver societal benefits on behalf of Norwegian authorities, especially in marine monitoring. Simultaneously, through dual-use capabilities, these satellites can also provide services to commercial entities.

The main projects within Earth Observation include MicroSAR, ADIS, and AOS-D in collaboration with Eidel. These projects share a common feature: they involve smaller satellites (100 – 400kg) designed to operate in low polar orbits, each tailored for different purposes and equipped with unique payloads.

The Subsea Cable Systems unit manages Space Norway’s two subsea fibreoptic cables connecting the Norwegian mainland to Svalbard. These cables are essential lifelines for modern life and infrastructure on the archipelago.

The unit is responsible for 24/7/365 operations, maintenance, and supporting our primary customers on Svalbard. With these cables, Space Norway provides high-speed fibre with ample capacity, ensuring excellent internet access for Svalbard’s residents.

A segment of one of our cables is displayed in the Svalbard Museum’s exhibition.

Subsea Cable Systems is currently undertaking a project to provide the Norwegian Armed Forces with cable-based broadband to Jan Mayen. The goal is to simultaneously create a branch to Svalbard, as the existing cables are approaching the end of their guaranteed technical lifespan.

The Business Development, External Relations, and Security department undertakes strategic projects to support Space Norway’s commitment to developing security-critical and cost-effective space-related infrastructure.

The department supports our business areas and facilitates ongoing communication with the Norwegian authorities and public agencies.

Furthermore, the department provides comprehensive support to all of Space Norway in areas of security, communication, and marketing.

Space Norway’s department for Innovation and Development is dedicated to advancing next-generation space-based systems and solutions.

We aim to enhance the competitiveness of existing business activities while creating new business opportunities. Innovation is central to our mission, and the innovation process is founded on close collaboration with business areas, clients, and partners.

Our key areas of expertise include satellite systems design, RF signal processing, and small satellite mission control.

Innovation and Development department has been instrumental in establishing major development programs such as ASBM and MicroSAR. Current major activities include the ADIS and VDES programs.

Statsat

Statsat is responsible for the development and operation of small satellites for governmental use. A key focus area is the operation and renewal of the Norwegian Coastal Administration’s fleet of AIS satellites.

Heosat

Heosat is a single-purpose company with the goal of establishing broadband communication in the Arctic.

In August 2024, the company launched two satellites ASBM 1 and ASBM 2 into a highly elliptical orbit to cover the Arctic as part of the Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission. The company also built corresponding ground segments.

Space Norway holds 50 per cent of shares in Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT) in a joint venture with Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace.

KSAT is the world’s largest supplier of ground station services for controlling and downloading data from satellites in polar orbits.