Kongsberg signs ESA contract to build Arctic maritime surveillance satellite for Norway

Written by Copernical Team Sunday, 10 November 2024 04:18

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Berlin, Germany (SPX) Nov 08, 2024

Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace has secured a contract with the European Space Agency (ESA) to construct a microsatellite designed for the Arctic Ocean Surveillance (AOS) project. This mission, driven by the Norwegian Space Agency (NOSA), will provide maritime surveillance services to the Norwegian government, enhancing security and monitoring capabilities in Norway's surrounding Arctic waters.

Kongsberg signs ESA contract to build Arctic maritime surveillance satellite for Norway
by Robert Schreiber
Berlin, Germany (SPX) Nov 08, 2024

Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace has secured a contract with the European Space Agency (ESA) to construct a microsatellite designed for the Arctic Ocean Surveillance (AOS) project. This mission, driven by the Norwegian Space Agency (NOSA), will provide maritime surveillance services to the Norwegian government, enhancing security and monitoring capabilities in Norway's surrounding Arctic waters.

The AOS mission is part of NOSA's Arctic Surveillance Program, developed in partnership with the Norwegian Armed Forces, the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (Forsvarets Forskningsinstitutt, FFI), and the Coastal Administration. This project will serve as the precursor for a broader series of satellites dedicated to real-time space-based maritime surveillance, bolstering Norway's national interests and sovereignty at sea.

"This contract strengthens our leading position as a prime contractor for developing and deploying space-based assets, such as small satellite constellations, to meet Norwegian and global demands for maritime situational awareness through the delivery of satellites for surveillance data services," said Eirik Lie, President of Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace.

Christian Hauglie-Hanssen, Director General of NOSA, emphasized the strategic significance of the AOS project, stating, "NOSA is pleased that KONGSBERG will be developing the AOS precursor satellite, a critical step in establishing a national capability for maritime domain awareness. Our partnership with ESA will greatly enhance the national industrial value chain, positioning KONGSBERG as a key prime contractor and systems integrator for future national missions."

The project's development will be managed by a consortium led by Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace, with contributions from Kongsberg NanoAvionics, Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT), Kongsberg Discovery, EIDEL, and FFI. Kongsberg NanoAvionics will provide the MP42 spacecraft platform, leveraging its expertise as a leading European provider of nano- and microsatellite technologies.

Kongsberg Discovery and FFI will oversee the integration of the Automatic Identification System (AIS) and passive radar detector systems, while the secure communication link will be managed by the EIDEL Nanosatellite Crypto Unit. Final assembly and integration will take place at Kongsberg's advanced facilities.

The satellite is scheduled for launch from Andoya Spaceport, near the Arctic Ocean, aligning with its mission to enhance Norway's maritime domain awareness in the region.

Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT) will manage the satellite's mission control, ground station operations, and data dissemination. Leveraging KSAT's extensive network of international ground stations, the project will provide the Norwegian government with timely and frequent surveillance data.

This initiative follows the N3X program and showcases Kongsberg's expertise in managing the full lifecycle of satellite missions, from platform production and payload integration to launch and operational services within a secure, nationally controlled value chain.