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Press release

Redundancy on primary telecom connection to Svalbard restored

Space Norway AS owns the fibre optic cable between Svalbard and mainland Norway. The cable is a key element of Norway’s infrastructure in the Arctic and provides broadband telecom services both to the civil society and the science and space activities at Svalbard. Since Friday, January 7th, 2022, the system has been operating without the full specified redundancy. As of January 18th, 2022, this redundancy is restored.

The Svalbard fibre system is built as a fully redundant solution with two cables separated approximately 5-10 km on the seabed. The redundancy ensures continued operations if one of the two connections fails to function. At 04:10 CET on Friday, January 7th, 2022, one of the two connections experienced a failure. This failure did not in any way change the ability to communicate effectively with Svalbard in the same manner as before, but it represented a temporary lack of redundancy.

The analysis of the failure indicated a shunt failure in the cable causing loss of power to some of the signal repeaters. Through a workaround applying an alternate power supply to the damaged cable, the redundancy was restored during the evening of January 18th, 2022. This minimizes the operating risk until final cable repair can be performed probably in the February 2022 timeframe, depending on the availability of the cable vessel and the necessary weather conditions.

POC at Space Norway: Dag H Stølan, Head of Infrastructure, +4740029601/ dhs@spacenorway.no

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Press release

Telenor Satellite announces revolutionary on-orbit life-extension service of its THOR 10-02 satellite in geosynchronous orbit.

Telenor Satellite makes history when MEV-2 docks with THOR 10-02/IS-10-02 for the first-ever on-orbit satellite servicing in geosynchronous orbit.
The view of THOR 10-02/IS-10-02 at its orbital position 1.0°W captured by the approaching MEV-2 (Mission Extension Vehicle). Image is courtesy of Northrop Grumman.
Featured image: The view of THOR 10-02/IS-10-02 at its orbital position at 1° West, captured by the approaching MEV-2 (Mission Extension Vehicle).  Image is courtesy of Northrop Grumman.

This represents the start of a new era for satellite communications, paving the way for a different approach to satellite servicing and life-extension possibilities.

The THOR 10-02 satellite, jointly owned with Intelsat (IS-10-02), was first launched in 2004 and remains in excellent health, continuing to carry thousands of vital communication links to vessels navigating across busy shipping lanes and operating in remote offshore fields, as well as delivering connectivity for broadcasting and land-based services in remote locations. The prospect of preserving the operation of these links made it an obvious choice for this pioneering technology, and the companies are the first commercial satellite operators to perform on-orbit servicing of an active satellite in geosynchronous orbit.

Morten Tengs, Telenor Satellite’s CEO, said: “This is a ground-breaking project and we are pleased to be a part of the success of this historic mission. Delivering exceptional satellite connectivity to our clients is our primary focus.”

Space Logistics (a subsidiary of Northrop Grumman) was contracted by our partner at 1° West, Intelsat, to deploy its Mission Extension Vehicle MEV-2 to prolong the operational life of THOR 10-02/ IS-10-02 as its on-board propellant was due to run out towards the end of 2021. The countdown started on August 15, 2020, when MEV-2 was launched from Kourou, French Guiana on board an Ariane 5 rocket.

Eight months after the launch, the docking procedure took place on 12 April, making history for satellite operations.

The MEV-2 satellite docked directly onto the communications satellite, effectively providing the space equivalent of a jetpack and so extending the operational life of THOR 10-02/IS-10-02. The MEV-2 has now taken over control of both the orbit and pointing of the satellite and will continue do so until the satellite is eventually retired in approximately five years’ time.

Media inquiries at Elaborate Communications

Sally Butler

Title
PR Account Manager

Editorial inquiries at Telenor Satellite

Natalia Grøvan

Title
Head of Marketing and Communications

Technical & commercial inquiries at Telenor Satellite

Peter J. Kaland Olsen

Title
Director Business Development
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Press release

Telenor Satellite and Intelsat to add new 4K/UHD (Ultra High Definition) channels to key regions across Europe.

4K/UHD broadcast services distribution
Telenor Satellite introduces 4K/UHD channels to the Nordics and Central Eastern Europe

Telenor Satellite and Intelsat are extending their longstanding partnership at 1° West to expand 4K/UHD (Ultra High Definition) channel distribution to Nordic and Central Eastern European (CEE) countries, and introducing it directly into the homes of nearly 18 million Pay TV households in the region.

The Telenor Satellite and Intelsat 1° West media distribution solution is an ideal platform for 4K/UHD, which offers the best quality picture for viewers. The Telenor Satellite-Intelsat partnership at 1° West is already helping broadcasters in the region reach a much larger audience, across a broader geographic area, when broadcasting 4K channels.

Now, the companies are introducing new 4K/UHD channel distribution. First channels to be offered include NASA TV and WOW 4K, with additional channels coming soon. The new 4K channels will be broadcast to CEE and Nordic region viewers on Telenor Satellite’s THOR 7, and Intelsat will do the same for CEE viewers using Intelsat 10-02.

“We are delighted to welcome broadcast channels such as Wow 4K and NASA 4K to be distributed via our 1° West satellite fleet, with 4K content enhancing the viewing experience even more,” said Ole Ledang, Director of Broadcasting Division at Telenor Satellite.

“We know that viewers’ expectations are growing when it comes to user experience. They are looking for a high-quality, high-resolution image, and they also want access to more diversified content. Working with Telenor Satellite, we are making it possible for broadcasters to meet their viewers’ needs in the Nordics, the CEE regions and neighbourhoods that we are already addressing through 1° West,” said Olivier Herson, Managing Sales Director at Intelsat.

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Press release

Telenor Satellite embarks on a ground-breaking satellite life-extension service for its THOR 10-02 satellite

Image: “Moving into position in the Spaceport’s ELA-3 launch zone is Ariane 5 with its three-satellite payload. Flight VA253. Galaxy 30, MEV-2 and BSAT-4b” ©2020 ESA-CNES-ARIANESPACE / Optique video du CSG-P BAUDON

Space Logistics (a subsidiary of Northrop Grumman) was contracted to deploy its Mission Extension Vehicle MEV-2 to prolong the operational life of THOR 10-02/ Intelsat 10-02 for up to five years.

The successful launch of MEV-2 from Kourou, French Guiana on 15 August started the countdown to its arrival in geostationary orbit. It was launched on board an Ariane 5 rocket and is scheduled to dock with THOR 10-02/ Intelsat 10-02 in early 2021. The docking procedure will occur while the satellite remains fully operational, ensuring minimal disruption to service.

THOR 10-02/ Intelsat 10-02 was launched in 2004 and is still in excellent health. It carries thousands of valuable communication links, including broadcasting, maritime connectivity and land-based services, making crucial communications possible in inaccessible and remote locations. Without intervention, the life-limiting factor for the satellite would have been the amount of on-board propellant which is scheduled to run out towards the end of 2021.

Ensuring continuity of service for customers is of primary importance to Telenor Satellite, and this will be achieved through a safe rendezvous and docking operation. To be certain that this manoeuvre can be successfully accomplished, the MEV service was successfully validated on a ground-breaking precursor mission (MEV-1), which returned Intelsat’s IS-901 from outside of the geosynchronous orbit back into service in March 2020.

As part of the life extension procedure, the MEV-2 satellite will be docked onto the communications satellite while in full operation, effectively providing the space equivalent of a jetpack and so extending the life of THOR 10-02/ Intelsat 10-02. When properly docked, the MEV-2 satellite will take over control of both the orbit and pointing of THOR 10-02/ Intelsat 10-02.

Morten Tengs, CEO of Telenor Satellite, said: “We have great confidence in the MEV-2 mission and look forward to the continued service of THOR 10-02 for the benefit of our customers across Europe and the Middle East. THOR 10-02 carries thousands of valuable communication links, including broadcasting and maritime connectivity and, for those living in remote and inaccessible sites, makes possible and maintains, crucial communications. By employing this ground-breaking advancement to replenish the longevity of a high-quality satellite in excellent health, we are able to ensure a hassle-free continued operation for our customers,” Mr Tengs added.

For further information, please contact:

Sally Butler

Title
Elaborate Communications
Tel
+44 (0) 1296 682403

Commercial and technical inquiries at Telenor Satellite:

Peter Olsen

Title
Director Business Development

Editorial contact at Telenor Satellite:

Natalia Grøvan

Title
Head of Marketing and Communications
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Press release

Telenor Satellite to complete satellite life-extension service for THOR 10-02 satellite.

MEV-1 (MEV-2 precursor mission) captured this image of Intelsat-901 prior to docking in February 2020.
MEV-1 (MEV-2 precursor mission) captured this image of Intelsat-901 prior to docking in February 2020. Photo: Northrop Grumman/SpaceLogistics.

Telenor Satellite is pleased to announce that in conjunction with Intelsat, it will be undertaking an on-orbit mission extension servicing of its THOR 10-02 (aka Intelsat 10-02) satellite.

Due to the excellent health of Telenor Satellite’s payload on THOR 10-02 and the continuing high value benefits to our customers, we are pleased that the satellite will have its operational life extended with the MEV-2 (Mission Extension Vehicle). As previously announced by Intelsat, Space Logistics (a subsidiary of Northrop Grumman) is contracted to deploy its Mission Extension Vehicle MEV-2 to prolong the operational life of THOR 10-02.

We are very pleased to see that the precursor MEV-1 has been declared a complete success and congratulate Intelsat and Northrop Grumman for this ground-breaking achievement!

We are now looking forward to having our payload as part of the next mission to take place later this year. We will continue to provide further details on this exciting mission in due course.

Press inquiries

Randi Ellingsen

Title
Head of PR and Communication, Space Norway.
Tel
+47 988 77 675
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Press release

Intelsat and Telenor Satellite expand satellite partnership at 1º West.

New, multi-transponder agreement between Intelsat and Telenor Satellite to support growth of leading Direct-to-Home platform in Central and Eastern Europe.

The agreement is a long term multi-transponder agreement, which will provide Intelsat with satellite capacity for its broadcast customers on the THOR 5 and THOR 7 satellites.

This will allow Intelsat to support the growth of its media customers as they look to bring new and differentiated content to and from the region as well as enhance access to Intelsat’s leading DTH platform at 1º West.

Telenor’s satellite fleet resides at the prime orbital location, 1º West, which currently serves over 2,2 million DTH households in Romania, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, and is one of the fastest growing orbital locations in Central and Eastern Europe.

“The agreement with Intelsat is core to our broadcast household reach within Central and Eastern Europe and it is essential in order to continue the positive development in the region”, says Ole Ledang, Director Broadcasting Division of Telenor Satellite.

“We have a strong and positive commercial relationship with Intelsat, which we look forward to proceed”, Ledang concludes.

“The 1º West neighborhood delivers significant advantages to broadcasters who are looking to expand their channel distribution in this fast -growing market,” says Rob Cerbone, Intelsat’s Vice President and General Manager, Media, stated, “Through our partnership with Telenor, we are able to meet our customers’ increasing broadcast demands, facilitate their growth objectives and provide them with quick, cost-efficient access to DTH and cable systems in Central and Eastern Europe.”

Press inquiries

Randi Ellingsen

Title
Head of PR and Communication, Space Norway.
Tel
+47 988 77 675
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Press release

THOR 7 Ka-band maritime mobility service ready for commercial operation.

Telenor Satellite today announces the commercial readiness of its THOR 7 Ka-band maritime mobility service.

The Ka-band payload offers regional coverage with a favourable look angle over the main European shipping lanes and utilises high-powered spot beams, providing unprecedented performance for maritime applications.

Since the commercial handover of the THOR 7 satellite in June 2015, Telenor Satellite has been carrying out a Ka-band testing programme prior to its commercial launch. The final testing phase involved more than 15 customers running sea trials on approx. 30 vessels, with up to 50 remote terminals testing the service across THOR 7’s footprint. Thanks to the valuable contributions of our pilot customers involved in the final testing phase, we can now launch our mobility Ka-band service with confidence.

Telenor Satellite’s THOR 7 HTS Ka-band service offer 6-9 Gbps throughput with up to 25 simultaneously active spot beams. Supported by the iDirect next-generation iDirect VelocityTM platform, Telenor Satellite is able to offer automatic and seamless spot-beam handover, assuring continuous connectivity across the entire satellite footprint.

“Today is a day that we have been very much looking forward to”, said Morten Tengs, CEO of Telenor Satellite. “Telenor Satellite’s THOR 7 Ka-band mobility service has been designed specifically for the maritime market, providing the reliability and availability our customers expect at sea.”

Telenor Satellite’s investment in THOR 7 has provided the additional European growth capacity needed to expand its overall business and to extend its services capability within the mobility VSAT market. Through our commercial expansion we look forward to keeping more and more customers connected via satellite- anywhere and at any time.

Press inquiries

Randi Ellingsen

Title
Head of PR and Communication, Space Norway.
Tel
+47 988 77 675
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Press release

THOR 7 takes up residence at 1⁰West.

THOR 7 illustration
THOR 7 illustration.

22 June 2015 (Oslo, Norway) Telenor Satellite today announces that THOR 7, which was successfully launched into geostationary transfer orbit on board an Ariane 5 launcher on April 26, 2015, has now completed its in-orbit testing and reached its final orbital location at 1°West.

The THOR 7 satellite was officially handed over to Telenor Satellite’s satellite control centre at 5pm on June 16, 2015.

With the handover complete, the THOR 7 Ku-band payload, dedicated to DTH services, is now ready for commercial operation. THOR 7’s Ku-band payload of 11 transponders will provide much-needed growth capacity for broadcast and TV services throughout Europe and specifically in Central and Eastern Europe. THOR 7’s location of 1°West is home to the THOR satellite fleet and is one of Europe’s prime satellite locations, reaching close to 18 million households.

“With the Ku-band payload now in commercial service, Telenor Satellite looks forward to growing its European broadcast position,” said Morten Tengs, CEO, Telenor Satellite. “THOR 7 provides the expansion capacity required to satisfy today’s and tomorrow’s growing demands from both our customers and future customers interested in connecting to the 1°West neighbourhood”.

The satellite’s high-throughput (HTS) Ka-band payload will now undergo a further testing phase of its ground infrastructure with test customers. The satellite communications multi-Gigabit HTS payload will address the surge in demand for high-bandwidth requirements from the maritime industry, delivering a bandwidth-efficient service with high bit rates to meet our customers’ growing expectations. The service is expected to be fully operational in Q4, 2015.

Press inquiries

Randi Ellingsen

Title
Head of PR and Communication, Space Norway.
Tel
+47 988 77 675

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Press release

Launch success for THOR 7.

THOR 7 launched atop the Ariane 5 rocket.
THOR 7 takes flight atop the Ariane 5 rocket.

Telenor Satellite today announced the successful launch of its new satellite, THOR 7.

Expansion satellite to serve Europe

THOR 7 was successfully launched into space on Sunday April 26, 2015 at 20:00 UTC, from the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana. On board an Ariane 5 launcher (Arianespace flight VA222), the THOR 7 satellite was successfully injected into geostationary transfer orbit approx. 28 minutes after lift-off.

THOR 7, manufactured by Space Systems Loral (SSL), is Telenor Satellite’s first growth satellite and also features its first high-throughput satellite (HTS) Ka-band payload, specifically designed for the mobility VSAT market to provide high-powered coverage over the North Sea, the Norwegian Sea, the Red Sea, the Baltic Sea, and the Mediterranean.

“I am delighted to see that THOR 7 has safely reached geostationary transfer orbit and thank both Arianespace and our manufacturing partner SSL for this successful launch”, said Morten Tengs, CEO, Telenor Satellite. “From its 1°West location, the THOR 7 satellite will provide growth capacity for DTH services across Central and Eastern Europe and deliver optimal satellite coverage across Europe’s business shipping lanes for the provision of maritime VSAT services.”

THOR 7 will now undergo extensive in-orbit testing and will be ready to deliver DTH services in six weeks. Additional testing will take place on the HTS Ka-band services with a full commercial service to be ready in Q4, 2015.

Press inquiries

Randi Ellingsen

Title
Head of PR and Communication, Space Norway.
Tel
+47 988 77 675
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Press release

Launch date is confirmed for THOR 7

THOR 7 in GEO orbit illustration
Illustration of THOR 7 in the GEO orbit.

Telenor Satellite is pleased to announce that Arianespace has confirmed the launch of the THOR 7 satellite, scheduled for April 24, 2015, between 19:38 and 21:32 UTC (21:38-23:32 CEST).

THOR 7, Telenor Satellite’s first growth satellite, will deliver satellite services throughout Europe. It is now ready for launch aboard the Ariane 5 launcher, designated flight VA222, which will also carry SICRAL 2 for Telespazio on behalf of the Italian Ministry of Defence.

Press inquiries

Randi Ellingsen

Title
Head of PR and Communication, Space Norway.
Tel
+47 988 77 675