Space Norway and Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. (SSTL) have announced a partnership to develop a radar satellite aimed at enhancing maritime domain awareness. This significant project, unveiled on September 19, 2023, marks the beginning of what could become a constellation of satellites focused on monitoring vast oceanic areas.
Details of the Satellite Program
The satellite, equipped with a C-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR), weighs approximately 400 kilograms and is scheduled for launch in early 2027 as part of a SpaceX rideshare mission. Its primary focus will be the North Atlantic region, which is home to critical energy infrastructure, fisheries, and underwater cables that currently lack sufficient monitoring.
According to Alex da Silva Curiel, head of international business at SSTL, the radar system will significantly enhance security monitoring capabilities. “The North Atlantic has a lot of energy infrastructure, fisheries, and underwater cables that are basically not monitored today, or not very well,” Curiel stated during an interview held at World Space Business Week. “This system is going to provide that level of security and monitor the entire North Atlantic on a regular daily basis.”
Unique Capabilities and Market Potential
The satellite will not only collect high-resolution SAR data over a wide area but will also incorporate an Automatic Identification System (AIS) sensor. This dual capability will enable the tracking of ships while correlating their movements with real-time data.
Marte Kalveland, director of Earth observation and innovation at Space Norway, expressed enthusiasm for the project, saying, “Once operational, the satellites will offer a unique capacity for surveillance of large areas with real-time high resolution, and we look forward to offering this to the global market.”
The initial customer for this satellite will be the Norwegian armed forces, but additional capacity will be available for other clients interested in monitoring various regions worldwide. This satellite serves as the first in a proposed constellation of six, which would enable monitoring of the North Atlantic every few hours. The collaboration between Space Norway and SSTL may expand further to accommodate the demands of additional customers.
This initiative highlights the growing importance of satellite technology in maritime monitoring, as nations increasingly seek to ensure the security of their maritime interests. As the project develops, it promises to deliver advanced surveillance capabilities that could redefine maritime safety and oversight in the North Atlantic region and beyond.
