Two satellites to be launched next week – E24

In a few days, two Norwegian-owned satellites will be launched from California. When they become operational in the fall, northern territories and the Arctic will have better broadband coverage.

Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram said the satellites will improve communications from aircraft to ships, expeditions and everyone else operating in the Arctic.

– Gramm said in a press release Thursday afternoon that the armed forces will also gain important communications capabilities, which will be crucial for cooperation with allied forces in the north.

The satellites are owned by the Norwegian state-owned company Space Norway.

They will be launched on rockets from SpaceX, a company controlled by billionaire Elon Musk, who also owns Tesla and the blogging service X/Twitter.

– Norwegian Space History

The launch will take place next week from the U.S. Space Force Base in Vandenberg, California, according to Space Norway.

– This is an important day in Norwegian space history. It’s important for Norway. But most importantly for those who run, operate and work in Svalbard and further north,
Morten Tengs, CEO of the Norwegian Space Agency, said in a press release.

The company said the entire project will cost $450 million or 4.7 billion kroner.

Five years of work

The two satellites measure 3x3x4 meters, have a wingspan of 27 meters and weigh approximately 3.5 tons. The satellites use their highly elliptical orbits to provide continuous broadband coverage in the High North.

Construction of the satellite has been ongoing for five years.

They supply equipment to satellite operator Viasat, the Norwegian and US armed forces and the European Commission.

One of the satellites carries the Norwegian Radiation Monitor, which is used to map the radiation environment in space, which is important for the design of future satellites.
The satellite is released from the rocket at an altitude of 160 kilometers, and the rocket then falls back to Earth in a controlled manner and can be used again.

Betting on Andoya

But Norway has more space adventures in the works:

February Defense Minister’s inspection German rocket maker ISAR Aerospace outside Munich. In a few months, ISAR’s first test rocket will be launched from Andøya. Soon, satellites will be launched into orbit from the Norwegian mainland.

– Norway has now been invited to engage in military space cooperation with major spacefaring nations such as the United States, the United Kingdom and Japan. This is a huge endorsement. The jewel in the crown is Andøya Space, the Minister of Defense told VG during his visit.