This mission is notable for including the first-ever operational U.S. military payload on an international commercial space mission. Northrop Grumman played a pivotal role by providing crucial components such as the U.S. Space Force Enhanced Polar System - Recapitalization (EPS-R) secure communication payloads, the Control and Planning Segment (CAPS) ground system, and the X-band and Ka-band payloads. Additionally, the company supplied two GEOStar-3 satellite buses, the ground system for these satellites, and managed systems integration and launch site operations.

This launch represents Northrop Grumman's 48th mission utilizing its GEOStar space vehicles, underlining the GEOStar platform's reliability and significance in both commercial and military satellite communications.

"Northrop Grumman's end-to-end mission expertise and proven ability to deliver cutting-edge technology on orbit enables our customers' most challenging missions. Our team came together at every stage of design, test, and integration to bring commercial broadband and protected military satellite communications to the Arctic for many years to come," said Rob Fleming, corporate vice president and president, Northrop Grumman Space Systems.

ASBM will operate in a highly elliptical orbit, delivering secure and dependable communications across the Arctic region, benefiting both commercial and military users. The mission's payloads include U.S. Space Force EPS-R hosted payloads, X-band payloads for the Norwegian Ministry of Defense, Ka-band payloads for Viasat, and a Norwegian Radiation Monitor payload provided by IDEAS for the European Commission. Northrop Grumman also established two Satellite Control Systems in Tromso and Bardufoss, Norway, which will be used by Space Norway to manage these operations.

Related Links
Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission
VSAT News - Suppliers, Technology And Applications