THOR 7 takes up residence at 1⁰West.

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
Email: randi.ellingsen@spacenorway.com

About Space Norway

Space Norway is Northern Europe’s leading satellite operator and a key player in the European space industry.

We provide secure and reliable satellite connectivity services to governments, public and defence sectors, commercial maritime, land-based industries, and broadcasters. Our portfolio of satellites, teleport infrastructure and subsea fibreoptic cables enables us to deliver intelligent solutions that meet the needs of clients in Europe, the Arctic, the Middle East and Africa.

Our team’s industry-leading expertise, agility and commitment to excellence allow us to respond swiftly to market demands, accelerating technological breakthroughs.

Our goal is to harness space for security, research, commercial growth, and beyond. We remain at the forefront of innovation – enhancing life and expanding possibilities.

Space Norway is owned by the Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries and represents the Norwegian Government’s strategic interests in the space sector. Our subsidiaries include Space Norway Satcom AS (formerly, Telenor Satellite AS), Space Norway Heosat AS and Statsat AS. Space Norway holds 50 per cent of shares in Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT) in a joint venture with Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace.