SvalSat

Svalbard Satellite station (SvalSat) was established in 1997 and the rapid expansion of the ground station is changing this perspective. SvalSat is recognized, not only as the northernmost, but also the best-located ground station in the world. The extreme northern location on the Svalbard archipelago, at 78º13' N, gives SvalSat its unique and favourable position. The satellite coverage at this latitude holds unique opportunities and SvalSat is the only commercial ground station in the world able to provide all-orbit-support (14 of 14 orbits) to owners and operators of polar orbiting satellites.

Today SvalSat comprises a highly modern station building and six multi-mission antenna systems are installed. KSAT’s antenna infrastructure comprises two operational 11-meter and one 13-meter S- and X-band systems. One 11-meter and the 13-meter antenna are Datron systems and the second 11-meter antenna is a ViaSat system. The antennas at SvalSat are today applied both for TT&C and for data reception. In addition several minor antenna systems are operated at SvalSat. For a more detailed description of the antennas see technical description on separate sheet.

A staff of eighteen engineers operates SvalSat in shifts, with round-the-clock operations. Most of the antenna systems available at SvalSat is operated locally from SvalSat. Two antennas are remotely controlled and operated from Tromsø by Tromsø Network Operations Centre (TNOC). Engineers at TNOC perform round the clock operations