Building on the success of the completed MaSSha project, MaSSha2 will focus on maturing and demonstrating a network sharing model for VDES networks. This will enable the partners to share VDES capacity, integrating both coastal (VDE-TER) and satellite (VDE-SAT) components. Network sharing is a key step toward the global rollout of VDES, designed to enhance safety, efficiency, and digitalization in the maritime sector.

Lars Moltsen, Founder and CEO of Sternula, said: “By enabling network sharing, MaSSha2 will allow customers to benefit from near real-time connectivity earlier and at a significantly lower cost than if each operator built their independent network. Beyond bilateral sharing with Space Norway, we will also be able to share and trade capacity with other VDES satellite or coastal network operators.”

Lars Løge, VDES Program Manager at Space Norway, said: “To demonstrate the concept, the project will leverage existing infrastructure from Space Norway, including NorSat-2 and the upcoming ADIS satellite, together with Sternula’s forthcoming VDES satellites. This project will strengthen the two companies position as the global frontrunners in VDES innovation.”

Space Norway is Northern Europe’s leading satellite operator and a key player in the international space sector and is dedicated to delivering cutting-edge solutions to our partners and clients. Sternula is the world’s first commercial provider of satellite-based connectivity for the maritime industry using VDES technology. Together, they form a strong European foundation for advancing VDES, a position that MaSSha2 will further strengthen.

The MaSSha2 project kicked off in February 2025. It is expected to conclude in 2027.

This project is being co-funded by the European Space Agency under ARTES 4.0 Business Applications – Space Solutions.

Sternula was founded in 2019, following the allocation of VDE-SAT radio spectrum at the ITU World Radio Conference. The company aims to provide trusted connectivity for ship operations and is leading the implementation of AIS 2.0 (VDES and related technologies) to establish the world’s largest integrated satellite and coastal network for maritime digital services.

Sternula is working to make global, real-time VDES connectivity a reality, supporting the maritime industry’s transition to digital operations while contributing to enhanced safety, sustainability, and operational excellence. The company plays an active role in the global development and standardization of VDES, collaborating closely with maritime stakeholders and international organizations such as IALA, IMO, and ITU.

Space Norway plans to integrate a multi-Gbps Telesat Lightspeed capacity pool into its services portfolio to provide secure, low-latency connectivity services for its defense, enterprise, maritime and land customers. The capacity pool, backed by Committed Information Rates (CIR) and a Service Level Agreement (SLA), will deliver maximum flexibility for Space Norway to tailor its service offerings. This includes prioritization of services and data rates to each remote site, and seamless modification of online services via Space Norway’s own infrastructure.

Designed from inception with a Zero-Trust Architecture and strict cybersecurity standards, the advanced Telesat Lightspeed network will provide resilient communications for Norway and its allied partners throughout the Arctic region, and meet mission-critical connectivity requirements for enterprise customers throughout the EMEA region and beyond.

“Space Norway found the Telesat Lightspeed network to be a natural next step in the continued evolution of our multi-orbit strategy. Its advanced architecture, including inter-satellite links and support of private landing stations, allows us to serve national requirements adhering to the strictest security and privacy standards,” commented Morten Tengs, Space Norway’s Chief Executive Officer.

“We are honored that Space Norway selected the Telesat Lightspeed network to deliver secure, resilient connectivity within their multi-orbit infrastructure strategy,” stated Dan Goldberg, Telesat’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Together, we will bring innovative space-based capabilities that enable defense and enterprise transformation, anywhere in the world.”

With the negotiations on the term sheet finalized, the parties expect to conclude definitive agreements by the second half of 2025.

Backed by a legacy of engineering excellence, reliability and industry-leading customer service, Telesat (NASDAQ and TSX: TSAT) is one of the largest and most innovative global satellite operators. Telesat works collaboratively with its customers to deliver critical connectivity solutions that tackle the world’s most complex communications challenges, providing powerful advantages that improve their operations and drive profitable growth.

Continuously innovating to meet the connectivity demands of the future, Telesat Lightspeed, the company’s state-of-the-art Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite network, has been optimized to meet the rigorous requirements of telecom, government, maritime and aeronautical customers. Telesat Lightspeed will redefine global satellite connectivity with ubiquitous, affordable, high-capacity, secure and resilient links with fibre-like speeds. For updates on Telesat, follow us on LinkedIn, X, or visit www.telesat.com.

THOR 8 is Space Norway’s new multi-mission satellite scheduled to launch in 2027. THOR 8 comprises two distinct broadcasting payloads, tailored for CEE and Nordics respectively, in combination with extensive and flexible capacities for data communications services to government and commercial clients.

“Intelsat’s commitment to THOR 8 marks a significant milestone in our strategic, long-standing partnership with Intelsat at 1⁰ West. We are very pleased to host Intelsat’s CEE broadcasting payload on our THOR 8 satellite” said Morten Tengs, CEO of Space Norway.

“Intelsat’s new broadcast payload on THOR 8 will provide long-term continuity for media customers who use Intelsat’s flagship 1W location for DTH, delivery to cable and IPTV head-ends in CEE,” said Pascale Fromont, Intelsat Vice President and General Manager, Media.

Ole Ledang, Director of Broadcasting at Space Norway, emphasised: “This contract with Intelsat underscores our confidence in the continued demand for satellite television distribution services in the Nordics and CEE. We are dedicated to deliver future-proof DTH services to meet the evolving needs of our customers for years to come.”

After reaching the orbit position, the supplier, Northrop Grumman, continued in-orbit testing until the ASBM handover in the middle of October, 2024. The formal handover of ownership to Space Norway marks an important milestone for Space Norway and the Norwegian space industry.

Norwegian control

With this handover, Space Norway and Norway now have full control over an important space capability. The ASBM satellites are of great significance for all types of operations in the Arctic, including for the Norwegian Armed Forces and our allies.

Space Norway’s team is ready to shift gears to satellite operations and management as the command is transferred to the ASBM Space Operations Centre.

Important payloads

The satellites contain payloads for the satellite operator Viasat, the Norwegian and American Armed Forces, and the EU Commission.

From orbit the satellites ensure continuous broadband coverage to aircraft, research vessels, fishing vessels, cruise ships, coast guard, expeditions and others operating in the Arctic.

Not least, the Norwegian Armed Forces now gain access to very important communication capacity, which is crucial for cooperation with allied forces in the north.

Testing the payloads

Testing of the Norwegian Armed Forces’ payload was carried out at Eggemoen by Northrop Grumman with support from Space Norway. The payload performed very well, and the testing was conducted according to plan.

Testing of Viasat’s payload was far more complex and was carried out from Bardufoss with the Viasat team leading. Northrop Grumman, the Space Norway team, and Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT) were also involved. Viasat completed the testing two days ahead of schedule thanks to excellent planning by both the Viasat team and the Norwegian side.

Testing of the American EPS-R payload was conducted by Northrop Grumman and the US Space Force according to plan.

Norm, a Norwegian-developed payload

The Norwegian-developed payload NORM, produced by the Norwegian company IDEAS and financed through the Norwegian ESA contribution and the space centre, functions well and as expected.

The instrument collects data delivered to the EU Commission. There data are important for mapping the radiation environment in space, which is important for the design of future satellites.

ASBM handover of payload in November

Space Norway will transfer ownership of the X-band payloads and ground infrastructure at Eggemoen to the Norwegian Armed Forces in early November. Viasat will start its operations around the same time. Viasat leases the payload from Space Norway for the entire lifetime of the satellite.

Space Norway’s program for broadband to the Arctic is completed, and the two large satellites launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The satellites, measuring 3x3x4 meters, with a wingspan of 27 meters, weighing 3,5 tons each, will launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The satellites will provide continuous broadband coverage to aircraft, ships, research vessels, fishing vessels, cruise ships, expeditions and troops operating in the Arctic by using a Highly Elliptical Orbit.

The Norwegian Armed Forces will operate a critical communication capability, for use in cooperation with allied forces operating in the high north. Existing geo stationary satellites do not offer coverage north of 75 degrees, where end users up until now have relied on one way radio communication or Iridium satellite phones.

The satellites carry payloads from the satellite communication company Viasat, the Norwegian Armed Forces as well as the U.S. Space Force. One of the satellites carries a radiation monitor developed in Norway, designed to map the radiation environment in space, a knowledge crucial to the European Commission´s development of future satellites.

The Arctic has been named Norway’s most important area of interest by several governments, and with this launch, Norway controls important communication services in an area that up until now has been without broadband coverage.

“This is a milestone in Norwegian space history. It is important to our country, it is important to us as a company, but most of all it is important for those who operate and work from Svalbard and further north”, says Morten Tengs CEO, Space Norway. “On behalf of the team and the whole company, I am very proud to see this huge endeavor realized. This mission shows what we are capable of as well as giving a hint of what the future will bring”, Tengs says.

“This satellite program is a ground- breaking effort in an allied, governmental & commercial collaboration. It is a showcase of how governmental and commercial needs can be met at a critical point for all involved. Our focus in this mission is the value it creates for civil users such as ships, aircraft and governmental users such as rescue services and the coastguard, as well as national and allied forces”, says ASBM Program Director Kjell-Ove Orderud Skare.

The satellites will be released from the rocket at 160 kilometers altitude and will spend ten days using their own engines raising to their highly elliptical orbit at 44, 000 kilometers over the northern hemisphere and 8, 000 kilometers over the southern hemisphere. The Falcon 9 booster will land and be reused after carrying the satellites into space. Once in orbit, the satellites will be operated from the newly built operations center in Tromsø. End users are likely to be able to use the connection from late autumn.

The life span of the satellites is estimated at 15 years and the program has an investment frame of USD 450M, with all capacity sold for all 15 years.