SSTL and Space Norway form radar satellite partnership

 
Image courtesy SSTL

This strategic partnership will leverage the expertise of both organisations to explore opportunities for delivering advanced spaceborne maritime surveillance capabilities to global customers.

Space Norway, a leading provider of satellite services and operator of critical infrastructure, is spearheading the venture. These satellites aim to enhance maritime monitoring for the Norwegian government, commercial entities, and international partners. United Kingdom based SSTL, renowned for manufacturing innovative satellite systems, will contribute its expertise in satellite design and elements of the payload.

SPN and SSTL have been working on the first spacecraft which is due for initial operational service in 2027. The technology on this spacecraft is unique, in that it is designed to provide exceptional high resolution, wide-swath coverage, providing surveillance of large maritime areas, with very low latency. This provides highly effective detection and classification of ships, which can then be correlated and validated with on-board AIS technology.

The agreement sets the framework for joint exploration of business opportunities, including tailoring the mission for international customers, exploring both service provisioning and satellite sales, as well as a combination of these.
 
This collaboration underscores SSTL and SPN’s shared commitment to advancing space technology solutions based on industry best practices.

CEO at SPN, Morten Tengs said: ”We are excited to combine forces with our trusted partner SSTL in developing this cutting-edge satellite programme that leverages Norwegian technologies and capabilities and opens up new markets.”

Marte Kalveland, Director of Earth Observation and Innovation at SPN said: “Our radar technology is designed to deliver the long-anticipated High Resolution Wide Swath (HRWS) imaging dream. Once operational, the satellites will offer a unique capacity for surveillance of large areas with a real time high resolution, and we look forward to offering this to the global market.”

SSTL’s Andrew Cawthorne said: “This agreement expands SSTL’s Synthetic Aperture Radar portfolio and allows us to offer variants of this spacecraft to customers that require privacy and priority of service over their own Area of Interest.”