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International law firm Fieldfisher has advised Space Norway on the Arctic Broadband Satellite Mission (ASBM) which will deliver the world's first dedicated broadband services to the Arctic region.
Fieldfisher has been supporting Space Norway on this programme since 2017, spanning the satellite project agreements and key collaboration agreements with Viasat and the Norwegian and US armed forces, plus the financing supported by DNB.
Space Norway’s two large satellites are expected to launch next week from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. As with all launches, this timing is subject to adjustment.
The Arctic has been named Norway’s most important area of interest by the Norwegian government, and with this launch, Norway delivers important communication services in an area that up until now has had limited coverage.
"This is a milestone in Norwegian space history. ASBM is important to our country, it is important to us as a company, but most of all it is important for those who operate and work from Svalbard and further north", says CEO Morten Tengs at Space Norway.
The satellites 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. The Norwegian Armed Forces will operate a critical communication capability, for use in cooperation with allied forces operating in the high north. Existing geo-stationary satellites do not offer coverage north of 75 degrees, where end users up until now have relied on one way radio communication or Iridium satellite phones.
“The ASBM program is a ground- breaking effort in an allied, governmental & commercial collaboration. Our focus in this mission is the value it creates for civil users such as ships, aircraft and governmental users such as rescue services and the coastguard, as well as national and allied forces", says programme director Kjell-Ove Orderud Skare.
End users are likely to be able to use the connection from late autumn.
The life span of the satellites is estimated at 15 years and the programme has an investment frame of USD 450M, with all capacity sold for all 15 years.
Follow Space Norway's live webcast of the launch at www.spacenorway.com .
John Worthy, Fieldfisher partner and head of the firm's Space Projects group says: "It is so impressive to see Space Norway realising its ambition to provide the world's first dedicated mobile broadband in the Arctic region. We are thrilled to have supported them in delivering this highly innovative programme. Like many of our clients in this sector, this programme will deliver real benefits from space to a wide range of users here on earth."
In addition to John, the Fieldfisher team includes Robin Spender, Oliver Abel Smith, Simon Sloane, Brad Isaac and Christopher Eastham, partners, Jon Edgell, consultant, and Sebastian Crawford and Alex Harbin, senior associates and Megan Ward, legal advisor.