A Space Norway launch mission carrying two new Global Xpress satellite payloads, designed to provide coverage for Inmarsat Maritime connectivity services in Arctic areas, has been successfully completed from Vandenburg Space Force Base in the US.
The Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission (ASBM), led by the Space Norway subsidiary Heosat, will see two satellites deployed in a highly elliptical orbit (HEO) in the world’s first HEO mission carrying a broadband commercial service payload.
The two satellites – ASBM-1 and ASBM-2 – will host the GX10A and GX10B Ka-band payloads, which Inmarsat will use to extend its network with dedicated Arctic region coverage.
The satellites will now be positioned into their orbital paths before technical testing and integration, with the GX10A and 10B payloads expected to enter service in early to mid-2025. They are set to be followed into orbit in the coming years by five new Ka-band satellites currently under construction, Inmarsat parent company Viasat notes.
“We would like to thank Space Norway and our project partners for their continued hard work, collaboration, and vision to make this project a reality,” said Mark Dickinson, Head of Space Systems, Viasat. “I would also like to thank our highly skilled experts. They will now focus on bringing these payloads into service and creating the flexibility, coverage, and connectivity our customers need – wherever they operate.”
