Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace is set to launch new maritime surveillance satellite services for Norway, significantly enhancing the country’s maritime domain awareness capabilities. The Norwegian Intelligence Service (NIS) has contracted Kongsberg to provide satellite-based maritime surveillance data covering Norwegian Areas of Interest.
The project, known as the N3X constellation, will consist of three satellites produced by Kongsberg NanoAvionics. These satellites will be equipped with Automatic Identification System (AIS) receivers and detector systems, delivered by Kongsberg Discovery. The constellation is scheduled to be operational by 2025, with the contract covering five years of service.
Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT) will operate the satellites, utilizing its international network of downloading stations to provide high-frequency and low-latency surveillance data. The data will be used by the Norwegian Armed Forces and other government institutions involved in maritime security, including the Coastal Administration, Directorate of Fisheries, and Norwegian Customs.
Vice Admiral Nils Andreas Stensønes, Director of the Norwegian Intelligence Service, stated, “These three satellites will greatly enhance the maritime surveillance capability in our areas of interest, improve situational awareness for various government institutions and strengthen maritime security in the High North”.
The N3X constellation is part of a larger initiative, with Kongsberg also developing a microsatellite for the Arctic Ocean Surveillance (AOS) project in collaboration with the European Space Agency. This project aims to establish a series of satellites for space-based maritime surveillance, supporting Norway’s national interests and sovereignty at sea.The Automatic Identification System (AIS) will play a crucial role in the satellites’ functionality for maritime surveillance: Global Vessel Tracking: The satellites will be equipped with AIS receivers, enabling them to detect AIS signals from ships beyond the range of terrestrial AIS stations13. This allows for tracking vessels in open oceans and remote areas, significantly expanding maritime domain awareness.
The new surveillance satellites will significantly enhance maritime security in Norway in several ways:
- Improved Maritime Domain Awareness: Three satellites equipped with Automatic Identification System (AIS) receivers and detector systems will provide comprehensive coverage of Norwegian Areas of Interest.
- Real-time Monitoring: The satellites will offer real-time satellite-based surveillance services, enabling quick response to maritime threats and incidents.
- Enhanced Situational Awareness: The satellite constellation will improve situational awareness for various government institutions involved in maritime security, including the Norwegian Armed Forces, Coastal Administration, Directorate of Fisheries, and Norwegian Customs.
- High-frequency Data Collection: Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT) will operate the satellites, utilizing its international network of downloading stations to provide high-frequency and low-latency surveillance data.
- Strengthened Arctic Surveillance: The satellites will particularly enhance maritime security in the High North region, addressing challenges such as illegal fishing, smuggling, and supporting search and rescue operations.
- Multi-purpose Capabilities: The satellite data will support both defense and civilian tasks, strengthening Norway’s role in NATO while contributing to various civilian maritime control purposes.
- Sovereign Space-based Capability: The project establishes a national capability for maritime domain awareness, securing Norwegian interests and sovereignty at sea.
By providing comprehensive, real-time maritime surveillance data, these satellites will significantly bolster Norway’s ability to monitor and secure its vast maritime areas, particularly in the strategically important Arctic region.
What role will the Automatic Identification System (AIS) play in the satellites’ functionality
The Automatic Identification System (AIS) will play a crucial role in the satellites’ functionality for maritime surveillance:
- Global Vessel Tracking: The satellites will be equipped with AIS receivers, enabling them to detect AIS signals from ships beyond the range of terrestrial AIS stations. This allows for tracking vessels in open oceans and remote areas, significantly expanding maritime domain awareness.
- Real-time Data Collection: The satellites will collect AIS information broadcast by ships, including their position, speed, course, and identification. This data will be transmitted back to ground stations for processing and distribution to end-users.
- Enhanced Maritime Safety: By providing a more comprehensive picture of vessel movements, the satellite-based AIS (S-AIS) will contribute to improved collision avoidance and search and rescue operations.
- Security and Law Enforcement: The S-AIS data will support maritime security services, law enforcement, and environmental monitoring by enabling the detection of illegal activities such as piracy, illegal fishing, and pollution.
- Overcoming Terrestrial Limitations: The satellites will extend AIS coverage beyond the typical 40 nautical mile range of shore-based systems, offering truly global maritime surveillance capabilities.
- Integration with Other Technologies: The S-AIS data can be combined with other satellite-based sensors, such as Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and optical imaging, to provide a more comprehensive maritime picture.
By incorporating AIS technology, these satellites will significantly enhance Norway’s ability to monitor and secure its vast maritime areas, particularly in the strategically important High North region.
How does this project align with Norway’s Arctic Surveillance Program
The Arctic Ocean Surveillance (AOS) project aligns closely with Norway’s Arctic Surveillance Program in several key ways:
- National Security Focus: The AOS mission is part of the broader Arctic Surveillance Program initiative, developed in partnership with the Norwegian Space Agency (NOSA), Norwegian Armed Forces, Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI), and the Coastal Administration.
- Maritime Domain Awareness: The project aims to establish a national capability for maritime domain awareness, enhancing Norway’s ability to monitor and secure its vast Arctic maritime areas.
- Space-based Surveillance: The AOS satellite will be the precursor to a series of satellites dedicated to real-time, space-based maritime surveillance, supporting Norwegian national interests and sovereignty at sea.
- Multi-agency Collaboration: By involving multiple government agencies and research institutions, the project reflects a coordinated national approach to Arctic surveillance.
- Technological Advancement: The project leverages advanced technologies such as Automatic Identification System (AIS) receivers and passive radar detection systems, aligning with Norway’s goal to develop cutting-edge surveillance capabilities.
- Industrial Development: The partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA) aims to enhance Norway’s industrial value chain in the space sector, positioning Kongsberg as a key prime contractor for future national missions.
- Arctic-specific Focus: The satellite will be launched from Andøya Spaceport, close to the Arctic Ocean, emphasizing its specific role in Arctic surveillance.
By combining these elements, the AOS project directly supports Norway’s strategic objectives for maintaining security, sovereignty, and situational awareness in the Arctic region.
What are the key objectives of Norway’s Arctic Surveillance Program
Norway’s Arctic Surveillance Program, initiated by the Norwegian Space Agency (NOSA), aims to enhance the country’s maritime security and situational awareness in the Arctic region. The key objectives of this program include:
- Real-time Maritime Surveillance: The program focuses on establishing a constellation of satellites that will provide real-time, space-based surveillance services to monitor maritime activities in Norway’s territorial waters and beyond, supporting national interests and sovereignty at sea.
- National Security Enhancement: By improving maritime domain awareness, the program seeks to bolster Norway’s national security capabilities, particularly in the context of increasing geopolitical tensions in the Arctic region. This includes monitoring for illegal fishing, smuggling, and other unlawful activities.
- Multi-Agency Collaboration: The program is a collaborative effort involving various stakeholders, including the Norwegian Armed Forces, the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI), and the Coastal Administration. This multi-agency approach ensures a comprehensive strategy for Arctic surveillance.
- Technological Development: The Arctic Surveillance Program emphasizes the development and deployment of advanced technologies, such as satellites equipped with Automatic Identification System (AIS) receivers and passive radar systems. This technological focus aims to enhance Norway’s capabilities in monitoring maritime traffic and responding to incidents effectively.
- Environmental Monitoring: In addition to security objectives, the program also aims to support environmental monitoring efforts in the Arctic, ensuring responsible resource management and ecological sustainability in a region facing significant environmental challenges.
- Industrial Growth: The partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA) and involvement of Norwegian industry players like Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace aim to enhance the national industrial value chain, positioning Norway as a leader in space-based surveillance technology.
- Sovereignty Assurance: Ultimately, the program seeks to reinforce Norway’s sovereignty over its Arctic territories by providing comprehensive surveillance capabilities that can respond to emerging threats and challenges in this strategically important region.
Through these objectives, Norway’s Arctic Surveillance Program aims to secure its maritime interests while fostering collaboration among government agencies and advancing technological capabilities in satellite surveillance.
