KSAT teams with Starsite to establish lunar support site in Western Australia

Written by Copernical Team Thursday, 28 November 2024 06:32

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Berlin, Germany (SPX) Nov 27, 2024

Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT) is partnering with Starsite Pty Ltd to build and operate a 20-meter antenna at a new site in Western Australia. Starsite, the Australian landowner, will manage and maintain the installation, which is designed to support key lunar missions. Starsite was chosen to host the facility based on its expertise and commitment to operational excellence. The collab

KSAT teams with Starsite to establish lunar support site in Western Australia
by Robert Schreiber
Berlin, Germany (SPX) Nov 27, 2024

Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT) is partnering with Starsite Pty Ltd to build and operate a 20-meter antenna at a new site in Western Australia. Starsite, the Australian landowner, will manage and maintain the installation, which is designed to support key lunar missions.

Starsite was chosen to host the facility based on its expertise and commitment to operational excellence. The collaboration between KSAT and Starsite ensured the site met stringent requirements for supporting lunar missions.

"Starsite has impressed us in their willingness to 'go the extra mile' and the long and varied knowledge in the space industry. Their local knowledge is essential," said Marte Indregard, EVP Ground Network at KSAT.

Strategic Location and Infrastructure
The site benefits from a low radiofrequency (RF) environment and proximity to First Nations communities, making it an ideal location for seamless lunar communications. Additionally, the region features robust infrastructure, including reliable power and fiber connectivity, crucial for supporting lunar and satellite operations.

Engaging Local Communities
The project emphasizes community engagement by involving local contractors and supporting nearby Indigenous communities. The region's stable climate, with predictable wind and rainfall, further enhances the antenna's operational reliability.

"This partnership marks a significant step forward for both companies and reinforces Western Australia as one of the best places in the world for hosting space ground infrastructure due to its geographic location, radio quiet zones, and clear skies," said Hon. Stephen Dawson, Western Australian Minister for Science, and James Yuen, Executive Director, Innovation and Emerging Industry, Western Australian Government.

Header image: Satellite image of Western Australia, contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data (2017), processed by ESA

Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT) is a leader in Ground Network and Earth Observation Services, providing connectivity solutions from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and beyond.