SpaceX Falcon 9 launches two ASBM satellites

On August 11, 2024, SpaceX launched two new Space Norway Arctic Satellites Broadband Mission (ASBM) satellites to improve broadband connectivity.

The payload is carried by a Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. ASBM satellites are designed to improve broadband coverage to the Arctic region for the US Space Force and Space Norway.

These two satellites are designed to operate in a highly elliptical orbit to reach the Arctic coverage area. The satellites include multiple payloads such as military payloads for US and Norwegian Armed Forces.

It will accompany a commercial payload for Viasat and a radiation monitor for the European Commission. This is the first time an operational DoD payload (EPS-R) will be hosted on an international space vehicle.

Northrop Grumman has provided integration and testing of ASBM-1 and ASBM-2. These spacecraft use integrated manufacturing processes and design capabilities for buses, propellant tanks, solar arrays, and heat pipe panels.

Mission Visuals

SpaceX has shared the details of this mission on social media site X and posted clips of the liftoff linked below.

After reaching the upper atmosphere, Falcon 9 performed a hot staging to separate the first stage from the second. As the rocket-propelled back to Earth, the second stage navigated the payload to orbit.

After marking a final burn, the first stage deployed its landing legs and reached a droneship in the Pacific Ocean. This mission was the 22nd flight for the first stage booster, as it continue to ramp up reusable flights.

Its first stage previously supported Crew-1, Crew-2, SXM-8, CRS-23, IXPE, Transporter-4, Transporter-5, Globalstar FM15, ISI EROS C-3, Korea 425, Maxar 1 and 10 Starlink missions.

(source – SpaceX)