SpaceX to launch Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission August 11-12

By Andrew Blackman - August 8, 2024
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A vapor cone develops around a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket as it breaks through the sound barrier after liftoff from Cape Canaveral Space Station on Aug. 4.Craig Bailey/FLORIDA TODAY via USA TODAY NETWORK

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket will launch the Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission (ASBM) on Aug, 11-12, 2024, almost a month later than planned,  Satnews reports. Its mission is to deploy two Northrop Grumman-built satellites into orbit over the Arctic region, enhancing communications for the Norwegian Ministry of Defense and the U.S. Space Force.

  • ASBM is part of a collaborative effort between Space Norway, Inmarsat, and the Norwegian Ministry of Defence. The twin satellites are designed to provide critical mobile broadband coverage in the Arctic, supporting both civilian and military operations.
  • The Enhanced Polar System Recapitalization (EPS-R) program underscores the strong partnership between the U.S. Space Force and its allies. The former will contribute Extremely High Frequency eXtended Data Rate payloads to the satellites.
  • The mission will be launched from Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.