The mission, spearheaded by Space Norway subsidiary Heosat, is pioneering in its use of a highly elliptical orbit (HEO) for the deployment of two satellites, ASBM-1 and ASBM-2. This is the world's first HEO mission carrying a broadband commercial service payload. The satellites will carry Viasat's GX-10a and GX-10b Ka-band payloads, significantly expanding Viasat's high-speed global network coverage into the Arctic, an area historically underserved by broadband providers.
These spacecraft are designed to integrate seamlessly with Viasat's existing satellite fleet, augmenting the coverage of its Ka-band network well beyond the capabilities of geostationary satellites. Notably, these will be Viasat's first payloads in non-geostationary orbit, representing a novel approach in the company's satellite deployment strategy. Upon their launch, they will bring the total count of Viasat's fleet to 20, with an additional eight satellites under development.
The Arctic region has seen a surge in connectivity needs, driven by a diverse group of stakeholders including governments, shipping companies, commercial airlines, and the scientific community. In October 2023, the UK Government's Environmental Audit Committee emphasized the need for greater political and research focus on the Arctic, particularly concerning the environmental and economic impacts of shifting weather patterns. These satellites, alongside hosting Viasat's GX10a and GX10b payloads, will also carry payloads for the Norwegian Armed Forces and the US Space Force, underlining the strategic importance of the Arctic region.
Mark Dickinson, Viasat's Head of Space Systems, highlighted the significance of this project. "The combination with Inmarsat has scaled up our capabilities, allowing us to deliver new solutions that meet our customers' requirements. This mission exemplifies that expansion, offering the flexibility, coverage, and interoperability needed to connect the world in even the most remote locations, like the North Pole," he stated.
Kjell-Ove Skare, Space Norway Program Director, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the collaborative nature of the mission. "The completion of the thermal vacuum test for both satellites brings us closer to realizing this strategically important capability. The collaboration with Viasat, the US Space Force, our Norwegian Armed Forces, and Northrop Grumman has been unprecedented, and we are excited about delivering the first dedicated broadband services to the real Arctic," Skare said.
The next steps for the ASBM-1 and ASBM-2 spacecraft involve final testing and readiness activities before their transfer to Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. They are scheduled to be launched together on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in mid-2024. Viasat plans to release further details about the launch schedule as they are confirmed.
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