Connectivity Technology Blog

Space Norway’s Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission (ASBM) was successfully launched on Sunday August 11 (10:02 p.m. EDT). The satellites carrying several payloads will provide continuous broadband coverage to aircraft, ships, research vessels, fishing vessels, cruise ships, expeditions and troops operating in the Arctic by using a Highly Elliptical Orbit (HEO). The satellites will run in a TAP (Three Apogee Period) orbit with the highest orbital altitude (apogee) of 43500 km and the lowest orbital altitude of 8100 km (perigee). The satellites will run in the same orbital plane with a 63-degree inclination and 8 hours separation. Each orbit takes 16 hours, and by employing two satellites, we provide full coverage throughout the Arctic north of 65 ° N (see animation). In addition, the satellites are active for about 10 hours in each orbit. This gives the satellites up to 2 hours of overlap where both satellites are operational while covering the entire area north of 65 degrees. The Arct...

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for all matters related to information and communication technologies. Established in 1865 as the International Telegraph Union, it is one of the oldest international organizations in operation. The ITU promotes the shared global use of the radio spectrum, facilitates international cooperation in assigning satellite orbits, assists in developing and coordinating worldwide technical standards, and works to improve telecommunication infrastructure in the developing world.  The ITU recently held a series of Satellite Webinars to share the current technical and regulatory situation, evolution, and trends in the field of satellite communications. They featured discussions and contributions from well-known experts from the satellite and space industries and were open to ITU members and non-members alike! Part 1 - ​Interference to Satellite Systems: preventing or protecting? : From ...