Niederlande und Norwegen entwickeln SIGINT-Nanosatelliten

[theoderich]

Norwegian-Dutch research mission for nanosatellites

The Netherlands and Norway are developing two intelligence nanosatellites that will orbit the Earth in tandem formation. This is a bilateral research mission to investigate the sources of radar signals.

The consortium of research institutes Royal NLR, TNO and the Norwegian Defence Research Institute FFI (Forsvarets Forskningsinstitutt) are developing a demonstration mission for a space based observation system as part of the MilSpace2 project (Military Use of Space). This research enables the Defence department to become less dependent on external parties. Satellite platform supplier NanoAvionics from Lithuania was selected for the delivery of the nanosatellites Birkeland and Huygens, after an independent evaluation process with tenderers from various countries. It is the first time that Norway and the Netherlands will be developing and launching satellites together. The launch of the two nanosatellites that jointly make up the BROS mission is planned for mid 2022.

BROS mission

The BROS mission (Binational Radiofrequency Observing Satellites) is an innovative system that is intended to be able to use Birkeland and Huygens under all meteorological conditions to detect and localize radar signals – including ships’ navigation radars – using various measurement techniques. The platform for the two nanosatellites is based on the existing M6P nanosatellite bus from NanoAvionics that provides accurate orientation and positioning for the requisite satellite orbits. The payload is a measuring instrument developed by the consortium.

The BROS demonstration mission consists of two identical 6U cubesats (where 1U corresponds to dimensions of 10x10x10 cm) that will fly in tandem formation in a low Earth orbit at a height of about 600 km. The two nanosatellites will fly in the same orbit a distance of 15 to 25 km apart, so that they can detect signals from specific radar systems simultaneously.

Building on the experience obtained by the Norwegian NorSat-3 and the Dutch BRIK-II missions, which are currently being developed, the consortium expects that this bilateral mission will also provide valuable insights into flying nanosatellites in tandem formation.

https://www.nlr.org/news/norwegian-dutc ... r-signals/