Norway’s Microsatellite Launched for Enhanced Arctic Maritime Monitoring

Canada’s Space Flight Laboratory (SFL) recently launched Norway’s NorSat-4 maritime monitoring microsatellite, marking the seventh spacecraft developed for the Norwegian Space Agency (NOSA) by SFL. NorSat-4 is equipped with a fifth-generation Automatic Identification System (AIS) ship tracking receiver and a groundbreaking low-light imaging camera. Launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on January 14 as part of the SpaceX Transporter-12 rideshare mission, NorSat-4 is built on SFL’s 35-kg DEFIANT microsatellite bus.

The low-light optical camera on NorSat-4 enhances the Norwegian Coastal Administration’s ability to detect and track vessels in Arctic territorial waters by complementing the AIS receiver on the satellite. Developed by Safran Reosc of France under contract with the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment, the camera can detect vessels longer than 30 meters in Arctic darkness. It requires active thermal control to maintain image quality in low-light conditions and precise attitude control for accurate image geolocation. SFL also designed and manufactured a compact mechanical iris shutter to protect the camera from direct sun exposure in orbit.

SFL has a strong history of supporting Norway’s leadership in space-based maritime traffic monitoring, starting with the AISSat-1 nanosatellite in 2010. Following the success of AISSat-1 and AISSat-2, Norway expanded its satellite program with the NorSat series, launching NorSat-1, -2, and -3 in 2017 and 2021. These satellites carried improved AIS receivers developed by Kongsberg Seatex and experimental payloads. Additionally, the NorSat-TD microsatellite, launched in April 2023, includes a laser communications device called SmallCAT for data transfer to ground stations, showcasing SFL’s expertise in precise attitude control and fine steering technology for low-mass spacecraft.

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