Programs and Missions – Stay Ahead in Space
Welcome to Programs and Missions, your hub for the latest updates in Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace’s Space domain. Explore our cutting-edge programs, key missions, groundbreaking technologies and the innovations driving our commitment to excellence beyond Earth.
KONGSBERG starts operating its first satellite
Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace has entered the space industry as a satellite operator and service provider, after it launched its first microsatellite from California.
The satellite, called ARVAKER 1 N3X, was launched from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California as part of the Transporter 13 launch service by SpaceX.
Equipped with surveillance instruments developed by Kongsberg Discovery and navigation radar detectors developed by the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (Forsvarets forskningsinstitutt - FFI) the constellation will enable rapid detection of vessels engaged in environmental crime, illegal fishing, smuggling, and other unlawful activities while supporting the search and rescue of ships in distress.
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KONGSBERG-technology onboard on JUICE
JUICE, or the JUpiter ICy moons Explorer, is one of Europe’s most ambitious space missions. Its goal is to explore Jupiter and its icy moons, Ganymede, Callisto, and Europa, in the search for signs of life.
With a journey spanning nearly ten years and an expected arrival at Jupiter in 2032, JUICE is equipped with ten advanced scientific instruments. These include spectrometers, radar, and magnetometers, which together will provide us with an understanding of the conditions on Jupiter's moons like never before.
A crucial part of this groundbreaking mission is the technology provided by Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace – the Solar Array Drive Mechanism (SADM). This component is critical to ensuring that JUICE receives sufficient energy from its solar panels, even when the satellite is so far from the Sun that sunlight is 25 times weaker than on Earth.
Launching new microsatellite to deliver maritime surveillance services to Norway
Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace has signed a contract with the European Space Agency (ESA) for the realization of one satellite for the precursors mission of the Arctic Ocean Surveillance (AOS) project that will deliver space-based maritime surveillance services for the Norwegian Government.
