FEATURE
there are several initiatives planning to lay fiber cables in the Arctic. Space Norway is aware that several European players have collaborated to realise a Pan-Arctic Cable System (PACS) between Europe and Asia via the Arctic and North America. The ambition seems to be to have PACS ready for service by the early 2030s. This is an exciting and important project for increased connectivity between Europe and Asia without having to route traffic through the Middle East. Hopefully, experiences gained with Arctic Way will be beneficial for future projects.
ABOUT SPACE NORWAY
www.spacenorway.com Space Norway is an innovative company that develops and provides communication and surveillance services to governments and businesses in an increasingly interconnected digital world. Space Norway offers commercial and public solutions for broadcasting, satellite communication, and data services. The group owns and operates a fleet of satellites. Additionally, Space Norway owns and operates the Svalbard connection, a cable system that is vital for businesses and the population on Svalbard.
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Due to harsh weather conditions and the challenges of transporting materials and equipment to Jan Mayen, Space Norway had to utilize the drilling equipment available from the Norwegian Armed Forces, as they are constructing a new station on the island. These drilled holes serve as the landing points for the Arctic Way cable. Photo: Space Norway
The group is owned by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries and operates under the Security Act. • Space Norway is a leading satellite operator with a recognised position among government and commercial customers and partners. In addition, Space Norway owns and operates two subsea fibre-optic cables between Svalbard and mainland Norway. On behalf of the Norwegian Government, Space Norway will establish Arctic Way, a new subsea fibre-optic cable to Jan Mayen and Svalbard. Arctic Way is scheduled to be operational in 2028. • Space Norway has a multi-orbit strategy for the ownership and operation of satellites in Highly Elliptical, Geostationary and Low Earth Orbit (abbreviated as HEO, GEO, and LEO, respectively). • Space Norway has a significant portfolio of communication satellites, the THOR fleet and the Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission (ASBM). This fleet enables us to sell and deliver broadband communications in the Arctic, Europe, the Middle East, and the North Atlantic, as well as broadcast services in the Nordic countries and Europe. • In the field of Earth observation, we operate the LEO satellites of the Norwegian Coastal Administration and the Norwegian Space Agency through our wholly owned subsidiary Statsat.