About KSAT - Kongsberg Satellite Services

KONGSBERG
SATELLITE
SERVICES
At KSAT we have made it
our mission to ensure rapid
access to data and delivery
of services through a set
of well equipped, modern
ground stations spread out
around the globe. KSAT’s
pole-to-pole and mid-latitude
networks are designed to
optimize satellite control and
data reception.
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Kongsberg
Satellite Services
Rolf Skatteboe
president, kongsberg satellite services
Ever more satellites are circling our Earth. The data they
Class” applies to “persons or things regarded as outstand-
collect and beam down to Earth are of increasing importance
ing throughout the world”. Within the field of producing
for both existing and new services.
images on Earth from data acquired by satellites in orbit, we
believe that describes KSAT. Our staff and its dedication to
At KSAT we regard our mission to be ensuring rapid access to
customer satis-faction are supported by modern technology
data through a set of well equipped, modern ground stations
and advanced solutions especially developed to fulfill our
around the globe. Both the unique pole-to-pole network and
customer’s needs.
the KSAT mid-latitude network are designed to optimize satellite control and data reception.
We are known for our drive and determination, and we strive
to meet customer expectations. KSAT employees always aim
Data are captured from more than 60 satellite missions and
for better performance, and we constantly implement inno-
their data are delivered to their owners or used in KSAT
vative improvements in all parts of our business. Collabora-
services. Near real-time (NRT) Maritime Situational Awareness
tion is fundamental. We work in teams to achieve success and
services, including vessel detection and oil spill monitoring,
customer satisfaction. Our customers and partners can trust
has for more than two decades significantly contributed to
KSAT to deliver, always.
maritime safety.
I’m pleased to present the essentials of KSAT to you in this
KSAT services and operations are often said to be World
brochure. Please feel free to contact us for further details on
Class. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, “World
any aspect of our services that you find interesting.
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World leading Ground
Station Network
for polar orbiting satellites
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Customer
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Satellite operation centre/data centre
SvalSat
Tromsø
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Alaska
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Tromsø Network Operation Centre
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Grimstad
KSAT is a world leading provider of ground station services
and has for more than 15 years supported the largest space
agencies and leading commercial space organizations globally. The KSAT owned and operated Ground Station Network
consists of a total of 9 ground stations, and KSAT provides
highly critical support to Earth Observation-, meteorological-,
scientific- and telecom satellites. This network provides unique
uplink/downlink capabilities to our customers, enabling a
Dubai
cost-efficient, flexible and optimized ground segment solution
Singapore
tailored to the specific needs of each of our customers.
Mauritius
Hartebeesthoek
>
>>
Mid-latitude ground stations
TrollSat
Polar ground stations
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The KSAT Pole to Pole concept consists of the Arctic SvalSat
(78°N) and the Antarctic TrollSat (72°S), enabling a coverage
delivering a record 26 out of totally 28 northern and southern
polar passes per day.
Polar ground stations
Mid-latitude ground stations
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The KSAT global network consists of 50
antennas in total. 35 antenna systems are
installed and operational at SvalSat alone,
making it the largest commercial ground
station in the world. SvalSat, at 78˚N, is also
the only commercial ground station able to
provide all-orbit support (14 of 14 passes per
day) to polar orbiting satellites.
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Photo: Elvar Ørn
Mid-latitude ground stations
Grimstad
Dubai
Singapore
The KSAT Mid-latitude Ground Stations provides to our
Mauritius
All KSAT ground stations are remotely controlled from our
The KSAT proven track record has over the years become a
state-of-the-art Tromsø Network Operations Centre (TNOC),
symbol of high standards and dedication from KSAT staff.
specific geographical regions. Combining both polar and mid-
functioning as a single point-of-contact for all KSAT customers
KSAT core competencies rely on a unique workforce with long-
latitude ground stations KSAT has created a network capable
24/7. Combined with the unique KSAT multi-mission opera-
term expertise and knowledge in ground station operations
of reducing data latency, and to facilitate rapid data access
tions concept we are providing a reliable and secure interface
and infrastructure capabilities specialized in extreme arctic
from any point on the globe.
point, always keeping focus on providing a flexible and cost
conditions. The KSAT infrastructure comprises highly secure
efficient solution to our customers. The KSAT Ground Station
and redundant facilities in terms of backup facilities, backup
Network provides rapid access to satellite data globally.
antenna support and the redundant global fiber network
customers a tailored solution with rapid access to data from
Hartebeesthoek
KSAT is providing to our customers. High speed data access is
KSAT provides operational support to more than 60 satellite
provided to all KSAT ground stations and operations centers
missions with a dedicated focus on quality and customer
worldwide.
satisfaction. KSAT is therefore able to deliver month after
month a 99,8 % proficiency rate on average from more than
12.000 passes per month.
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Alaska
SvalSat
Tromsø
Grimstad
Dubai
Singapore
Mauritius
Hartebeesthoek
TrollSat
Multi Mission support to
time-critical operations
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Multi-mission near real-time services
Multi-mission planning and order tool
Satellite images have become essential in supporting ope-
KSAT offers a software tool to rapidly identify potential
rations whenever time is critical, as in decision-making in
acquisition opportunities over any geographical area of inte-
humanitarian and disaster relief operations and in international
rest with any combination of supported satellites and sensors.
peacekeeping and security missions.
With a simple interface and easily interpreted graphical
outputs, our customer and order desk staff can use this tool to
The KSAT global ground station network is ideally suited to
support applications from complex long-term custom planning
rapid supply of satellite images. It operates as a single
across multiple missions to education and communication of
interconnected service, which currently supports more than
options for less experienced users of satellite data.
60 satellites missions, including high-resolution SAR and
electro-optical satellites. Its principal advantage is that with
KSAT works continuously to cut delivery time in supported
stations near both poles and at mid-latitudes, KSAT can access
operations. New concepts and service chains are developed
satellites at many positions in orbit and download almost any
and tested in close cooperation with satellite operators and
conceivable mix of data from them.
end users such as national defence organizations, the United
Nations, and multinational petroleum companies. Through
these activities, normal delivery time has been reduced to less
than 2.5 hours for optical satellites and less than 15 minutes
for some SAR satellites.
Software tool screenshot showing Area of
Interest (polygon) and coverage from three
different satellites.
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Copyright: NASA
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Maritime
Services
KSAT’s multi-mission maritime monitoring
services have been provided to oil
companies, pollution-control authorities
and coastguards for more than 15 years.
Vessel detection
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Ice monitoring
KSAT utilizes state-of-the-art technologies and experienced
The increasing focus on maritime activities in the Northern
operators to provide satellite based oil spill detection, vessel
regions continually drives new requirements related to vessels
detection and ice monitoring services using Synthetic Aperture
or other surface targets. For offshore oil and gas the satel-
Radar (SAR) and electro-optical imagery.
lite based information contributes to an updated recognized
picture of ship traffic close to offshore installations for safety
Day or night, fair weather or foul, satellite imagery makes it
and navigation purposes.
possible to cover large areas in near real-time, and the use
of SAR from satellites has proven to be an excellent tool to
KSAT’s unique network of ground stations puts KSAT in the
detect oil slicks, vessels and installations at sea, and infor-
best position to receive the highest possible volume and
mation about ice conditions. KSAT established the world’s
variety of satellite data from polar orbiting satellites, any-
first operational oil spill detection service using SAR data to
where on earth. To take full advantage of the capabilities of
monitor Norwegian waters, and has worked to continually
modern international satellite fleets, information must come
improve and expand this service. The imagery is analyzed
from multiple sources; radar and optical imagery, and satellite
using a combination of automatic detection algorithms and
AIS data with information updated as frequently as possible.
Photo: Courtesy MCA Pollution Branch
experienced operators, and reports of presence oil slicks on
the sea surface are provided in near real-time. Experience
KSAT’s maritime services are utilized by a wide range of
is critical in providing the ability to evaluate the confidence
customers - including governmental regulators, coastal
of what the received information shows; minimizing false
authorities and fisheries agencies, the petroleum and shipping
positives and making sure the results are properly conveyed.
industries, and the defense/intelligence communities.
Oil spill detection
Copyright: Digital Globe
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Tromsø, KSAT HQ
Kongsberg Satellite Services AS
KSAT is a commercial Norwegian enterprise, uniquely
KSAT is owned 50 % by KONGSBERG and 50 % by
positioned to provide ground station and earth observation
Norwegian Space Centre Properties, a company 100 %
services for polar orbiting satellites. KSAT is a world leading
owned by The Norwegian Ministry of Trade and Industry,
provider of satellite ground station services and satellite
­administered by Norsk Romsenter (Norwegian Space Centre).
based maritime monitoring services with experience going
back to 1967.
Please contact KSAT on email: ksat@ksat.no or see our
webpage for more information: www.ksat.no.
The head office of KSAT is located in Tromsø, Northern
Norway. KSAT is also present with an operational ground
station on Svalbard and a sales office in Oslo.
Kongsberg Satellite Services AS
www.ksat.no
Head Office | Visitors: Prestvannveien 38, 9011 Tromsø, Norway | Postal: PO. Box 6180, NO-9291 Tromsø, Norway | Phone: +47 776 002 50
Svalbard Office | P.O. Box 458, NO-9171 Longyearbyen, Norway | Phone: +47 790 225 55