ASBM (Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission) х2 – Falcon 9 (B10??.?) – Vandenberg SLC-4E – 2024

[zandr]

https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/2022

Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission (ASBM)
Launch Time
NET December, 2023
Rocket
Falcon 9 Block 5
...

Mission Details
Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission (ASBM)
The ASBM satellites will carry multiple hosted payloads including an X-Band payload for the Norwegian Ministry of Defense and a Ka-Band payload for Inmarsat. Northrop Grumman announced last year that it will also provide two Extremely High-Frequency eXtended Data Rate (EHF XDR) payloads for the Enhanced Polar System-Recapitalization (EPS-R) to the U.S. Air Force for integration on the spacecraft. The systems are designed to improve secure and continuous communications in the North Polar Region. Additionally, Northrop Grumman was selected to provide critical ground infrastructure for EPS-R.
Payloads: 2  Total Mass: 7,200 kg  Highly Elliptical Orbit

Location
SLC-4E, Vandenberg SFB, California, USA

[zandr]

https://twitter.com/GewoonLukas_/status/1721948125357658414

Lukas C. H.  @GewoonLukas_
Both Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission satellites have completed Thermal Vacuum testing, while ASBM-1 has also completed Vibration testing! The satellites are scheduled to be launched on a Falcon 9 from VSFB towards a highly elliptical "Molniya" orbit early next year.

[zandr]

https://news.northropgrumman.com/news/releases/northrop-grumman-completes-essential-tests-for-arctic-region-satellite-communications-program

Northrop Grumman Completes Essential Tests for Arctic Region Satellite Communications Program

^{The Northrop Grumman-built ASBM-1 undergoes vibration testing, at the company's satellite manufacturing facility in Dulles, Virginia. (Photo Credit: Northrop Grumman)}

DULLES, Va. – Nov. 7, 2023 – (PHOTO RELEASE) Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has successfully completed Thermal Vacuum tests on the Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission (ASBM), a two-satellite constellation designed to deliver broadband communications to the Northern polar region for the U.S. Space Force and Space Norway. Each Northrop Grumman-built satellite carries a Ka-band payload for Viasat and X-Band payload for Norwegian Ministry of Defense, as well as the Enhanced Polar System Recapitalization payloads for the U.S. Space Force. ASBM-1 has completed vibration testing with ASBM-2 to follow.
Northrop Grumman is also providing the Control and Planning Segment (CAPS) ground system for this critical capability. CAPS is supporting compatibility testing with the payload and space vehicle segments and interfacing with the Satellite Operations Center (SOC) in Norway. CAPS has completed formal acceptance and turnover and is ready for system activation.