Space Norway’s Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission (ASBM), a constellation of two satellites built by Northrop Grumman Corporation, has successfully launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. This milestone marks a historic collaboration between Space Norway and the U.S. Space Force, as it is the first operational U.S. military payload to be hosted on an international commercial space mission.
Northrop Grumman played a pivotal role in the mission, providing critical components including two U.S. Space Force Enhanced Polar System – Recapitalization (EPS-R) secure communication payloads, the Control and Planning Segment (CAPS) ground system, X-band and Ka-band payloads, and two GEOStar-3 satellite buses. The company was also responsible for the ground system for these satellites, systems integration, and launch site operations.
The ASBM mission is Northrop Grumman’s 48th using its GEOStar space vehicles, further establishing the satellite as a flight-proven and essential technology for both commercial and military satellite communications.
Rob Fleming, Corporate Vice President and President of Northrop Grumman Space Systems, commented, “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.”
The ASBM satellites will operate in a highly elliptical orbit, providing secure and reliable communications in the crucial Arctic region for both commercial and military use. Northrop Grumman’s contributions include the space vehicles and operating systems for power, propulsion, communications, command and data handling, thermal control, and guidance and navigation. The mission payloads include U.S. Space Force EPS-R payloads, X-band payloads for the Norwegian Ministry of Defense, Ka-band payloads for Viasat, and a Norwegian Radiation Monitor payload from IDEAS for the European Commission. Additionally, Northrop Grumman has supplied Satellite Control Systems in Tromsø and Bardufoss, Norway, to support Space Norway’s operations.
Northrop Grumman, a leading global aerospace and defense technology company, continues to push the boundaries of human exploration and secure connectivity across the globe. Their innovative solutions and dedication to solving the toughest challenges enable their customers to connect and protect the world, driving progress and exploration into the future.
