After a successful launch in August 2024, Space Norway has now fully taken over the operation of its two Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission satellites, ASBM 1 and ASBM 2.
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.
