Latest news with #SFLMissions
Yahoo
29-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
SFL Missions Inc. Awarded Contract for Fast-Turnaround AISSat-4 Nanosatellite Development to Expand Capacity in Norwegian Maritime Monitoring System
TORONTO, July 29, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Norwegian Space Agency (NOSA) has awarded a contract to SFL Missions Inc. to develop the AISSat-4 maritime ship tracking microsatellite for launch in less than one year. AISSat-4 is needed to expand operational capacity in Norway's maritime situational awareness network. AISSat-4 is being developed on SFL's SPARTAN 6U nanosatellite platform and will carry a single payload – a miniaturized Automatic Identification System (AIS) receiver built by Kongsberg Seatex of Trondheim, Norway. The SPARTAN bus is space proven with 18 commercial communications satellites previously deployed using this platform. SFL Missions is uniquely prepared to develop AISSat-4 on an accelerated schedule. Additionally, the SPARTAN platform relies on heritage hardware and software and is easily tailored to accommodate the AIS receiver and antennas. "We have extensive experience in implementing AIS missions, and therefore we have the expertise and design heritage needed to implement the AISSat-4 mission on a short schedule," said Dr. Robert E. Zee, SFL Missions Director and CEO. More broadly, he added, SFL Missions Inc. has the capacity to work on many satellite missions concurrently, and since the team is vertically integrated, it maintains full control over the subsystem and spacecraft level assembly, integration, and testing schedules. Under the leadership of NOSA and the Norwegian Coastal Administration, Norway operates the world's most extensive and sophisticated space-based marine monitoring system to protect the safety of vessels and sustainability of resources in its vast territorial waters. "The societal benefits we gain from collecting AIS information from satellites is significant. It is therefore important that we ensure the maintenance of this capability," said Coastal Administration Director Einar Vik Arset. "AISSat-4 will be a valuable addition at a time when several of our operational satellites are nearing the end of their expected lifespan." Norway launched the first ship-tracking satellite of its operational AISSat series in 2010 and then funded a parallel series of larger NorSat microsatellites. While the smaller AISSat nanosatellites each carry a single payload focused solely on collection of AIS signals, the NorSats each operate a ship-tracking device along with one or more technology demonstration payloads. NorSat-1 and -2 are both eight years old and have operated beyond their five-year design lives. Norway's leadership in space-based maritime monitoring includes eight spacecraft spanning more than 15 years, all of which were developed with SFL: AISSat-1 launched in 2010 with funding from Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI) to prove that Automatic Identification System (AIS) signals from ships at sea could be detected by an AIS receiver in orbit. AISSat-1 was quickly transitioned to operational status where it collected data for 12 years. AISSat-2, a twin to AISSat-1, launched as an operational asset in 2014 until decommissioning nine years later. NorSat-1 and -2 launched in 2017, each carrying successively improved AIS receivers developed by Kongsberg Seatex. Additionally, NorSat-1 carries two experimental space science instruments, while NorSat-2 tested a two-way communication VHF data exchange device. NorSat-3 launched in 2021 with an experimental radar navigation detector to augment the ship-tracking capabilities of its AIS receiver. NorSat-TD launched in 2023 with a suite of technology demonstration payloads including a Dutch-built laser communications device that successfully enabled faster, more secure optical transmission of data between the spacecraft and ground station. NorSat-4 launched in January 2025 carrying a fifth-generation AIS receiver complemented by a first-of-its-kind low-light imaging camera to detect and identify "dark" ships not operating their AIS transponders. AISSat-4, now under development, will have the capacity to capture 1.5 million unique AIS signals every day even in crowded shipping lanes. Additionally, Norwegian AIS data collected from space will continue to serve as the mainstay of the Blue Justice Ocean Surveillance Program initiated by Norway in September 2023 to fight international fisheries crimes. Participants in this program share coastal data to uncover illegal fishing activities worldwide. About SFL Missions Inc. ( SFL Missions Inc. generates bigger returns from smaller, lower cost satellites. SFL Missions pushes the performance envelope and disrupts the traditional cost paradigm. We build quality small satellites at low cost that work the first time and enable NewSpace companies to mass produce through our Flex Production program. Satellites are built with advanced power systems, stringent attitude control and high-volume data capacity that are striking relative to the budget. We arrange launches globally and maintain a mission control center accessing ground stations worldwide. The pioneering and barrier-breaking work of SFL Missions is a key enabler to tomorrow's cost-aggressive satellites and constellations. View source version on Contacts Dr. Robert E. ZeeSFL Missions Follow SFL Missions X @SFLMissionsInstagram at Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
SFL Missions Inc. Announces Launch and Successful Deployment of Two GHGSat Greenhouse Gas Monitoring Microsatellites
TORONTO, June 24, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SFL Missions Inc. today announced the successful launch and deployment of the GHGSat-C12 and GHGSat-C13 (also known as Pierre and Valmay, respectively) greenhouse gas monitoring microsatellites developed for GHGSat of Montreal. SFL Missions Inc. developed the satellites on a low-cost, high-performance 15-kg NEMO bus, the same used to build the first nine GHGSat spacecraft. GHGSat-C12 and -C13 launched on June 23 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, aboard the SpaceX Transporter 14 ride-share mission. Ground control has established communications with both spacecraft. "SFL Missions is pleased that GHGSat has once again placed trust in us to support development of its industry-leading commercial greenhouse gas monitoring constellation," said SFL Missions Director Dr. Robert E. Zee. "We take pride in developing barrier-breaking, budget-aggressive small satellite missions for commercial, government, and academic customers worldwide." GHGSat is the world leader in emissions monitoring technologies and pioneered the first satellite capable of detecting and measuring facility-level greenhouse gas emissions from space. Decision-makers across governments and industries including oil and gas, power generation, mining, waste management, and agriculture rely on GHGSat emissions data to drive emissions reduction and accelerate the decarbonization of the planet. SFL Missions was selected to develop the two latest satellites due in part to the precise attitude control and target tracking capabilities of its satellite platforms – rare among spacecraft of their size and price points. This enables exact pointing of the onboard sensors, which is vital to the accurate detection and measurement of greenhouse gas emissions from sources on the ground. SFL Missions' platforms have earned a well-deserved reputation for quality, performance and reliability. In addition, SFL Missions incorporates robust design margins into every satellite, and these include the onboard power systems, data storage, and downlink capacities. These margins in orbit translate into better operations and longer missions, contributing to the better-than-anticipated collection capacity that GHGSat has achieved with its earlier NEMO-based spacecraft. SFL Missions is building on a heritage that has produced 88 operationally successful missions and 380+ cumulative years in orbit. The firm is developing nano-, micro-, and small satellites and constellations using space-proven bus designs from 3 to 500 kilograms for Earth observation, communications, environmental monitoring, maritime situational awareness, space astronomy, scientific research and more. Currently expanding its Toronto satellite manufacturing facilities, SFL Missions has 20 satellites under development or awaiting launch. In addition, SFL Missions offers a Flex Production program that will give customers the option of having satellites developed in their own location, at a third-party site, or at the SFL Missions facility. About SFL Missions Inc. ( SFL Missions Inc. generates bigger returns from smaller, lower cost satellites. Small satellites built by SFL Missions consistently push the performance envelope and disrupt the traditional cost paradigm. We build quality small satellites at low cost that work the first time and enable NewSpace companies to mass produce through our Flex Production program. Satellites are built with advanced power systems, stringent attitude control and high-volume data capacity that are striking relative to the budget. We arrange launches globally and maintain a mission control center accessing ground stations worldwide. The pioneering and barrier-breaking work of SFL Missions is a key enabler to tomorrow's cost-aggressive satellites and constellations. View source version on Contacts Dr. Robert E. ZeeSFL Missions Follow SFL Missions Inc. Twitter X @SFLMissionsInstagram at Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Associated Press
24-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
SFL Missions Inc. Announces Launch and Successful Deployment of Two GHGSat Greenhouse Gas Monitoring Microsatellites
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 24, 2025-- SFL Missions Inc. today announced the successful launch and deployment of the GHGSat-C12 and GHGSat-C13 (also known as Pierre and Valmay, respectively) greenhouse gas monitoring microsatellites developed for GHGSat of Montreal. SFL Missions Inc. developed the satellites on a low-cost, high-performance 15-kg NEMO bus, the same used to build the first nine GHGSat spacecraft. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: Artist's rendering of GHGSat-C12 and -C13 greenhouse gas monitoring satellites, developed by SFL Missions Inc., in orbit. [Credit: SFL Missions Inc.] GHGSat-C12 and -C13 launched on June 23 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, aboard the SpaceX Transporter 14 ride-share mission. Ground control has established communications with both spacecraft. 'SFL Missions is pleased that GHGSat has once again placed trust in us to support development of its industry-leading commercial greenhouse gas monitoring constellation,' said SFL Missions Director Dr. Robert E. Zee. 'We take pride in developing barrier-breaking, budget-aggressive small satellite missions for commercial, government, and academic customers worldwide.' GHGSat is the world leader in emissions monitoring technologies and pioneered the first satellite capable of detecting and measuring facility-level greenhouse gas emissions from space. Decision-makers across governments and industries including oil and gas, power generation, mining, waste management, and agriculture rely on GHGSat emissions data to drive emissions reduction and accelerate the decarbonization of the planet. SFL Missions was selected to develop the two latest satellites due in part to the precise attitude control and target tracking capabilities of its satellite platforms – rare among spacecraft of their size and price points. This enables exact pointing of the onboard sensors, which is vital to the accurate detection and measurement of greenhouse gas emissions from sources on the ground. SFL Missions' platforms have earned a well-deserved reputation for quality, performance and reliability. In addition, SFL Missions incorporates robust design margins into every satellite, and these include the onboard power systems, data storage, and downlink capacities. These margins in orbit translate into better operations and longer missions, contributing to the better-than-anticipated collection capacity that GHGSat has achieved with its earlier NEMO-based spacecraft. SFL Missions is building on a heritage that has produced 88 operationally successful missions and 380+ cumulative years in orbit. The firm is developing nano-, micro-, and small satellites and constellations using space-proven bus designs from 3 to 500 kilograms for Earth observation, communications, environmental monitoring, maritime situational awareness, space astronomy, scientific research and more. Currently expanding its Toronto satellite manufacturing facilities, SFL Missions has 20 satellites under development or awaiting launch. In addition, SFL Missions offers a Flex Production program that will give customers the option of having satellites developed in their own location, at a third-party site, or at the SFL Missions facility. About SFL Missions Inc. ( ) SFL Missions Inc. generates bigger returns from smaller, lower cost satellites. Small satellites built by SFL Missions consistently push the performance envelope and disrupt the traditional cost paradigm. We build quality small satellites at low cost that work the first time and enable NewSpace companies to mass produce through our Flex Production program. Satellites are built with advanced power systems, stringent attitude control and high-volume data capacity that are striking relative to the budget. We arrange launches globally and maintain a mission control center accessing ground stations worldwide. The pioneering and barrier-breaking work of SFL Missions is a key enabler to tomorrow's cost-aggressive satellites and constellations. View source version on CONTACT: Dr. Robert E. Zee SFL Missions Inc. [email protected] SFL Missions Inc. Twitter X @SFLMissions Instagram at KEYWORD: NORTH AMERICA CANADA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: TECHNOLOGY ENVIRONMENT SATELLITE AEROSPACE MANUFACTURING HARDWARE SOURCE: SFL Missions Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 06/24/2025 11:13 AM/DISC: 06/24/2025 11:12 AM
National Post
24-06-2025
- Science
- National Post
SFL Missions Inc. Announces Launch and Successful Deployment of Two GHGSat Greenhouse Gas Monitoring Microsatellites
Article content TORONTO — SFL Missions Inc. today announced the successful launch and deployment of the GHGSat-C12 and GHGSat-C13 (also known as Pierre and Valmay, respectively) greenhouse gas monitoring microsatellites developed for GHGSat of Montreal. SFL Missions Inc. developed the satellites on a low-cost, high-performance 15-kg NEMO bus, the same used to build the first nine GHGSat spacecraft. Article content GHGSat-C12 and -C13 launched on June 23 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, aboard the SpaceX Transporter 14 ride-share mission. Ground control has established communications with both spacecraft. Article content 'SFL Missions is pleased that GHGSat has once again placed trust in us to support development of its industry-leading commercial greenhouse gas monitoring constellation,' said SFL Missions Director Dr. Robert E. Zee. 'We take pride in developing barrier-breaking, budget-aggressive small satellite missions for commercial, government, and academic customers worldwide.' Article content GHGSat is the world leader in emissions monitoring technologies and pioneered the first satellite capable of detecting and measuring facility-level greenhouse gas emissions from space. Decision-makers across governments and industries including oil and gas, power generation, mining, waste management, and agriculture rely on GHGSat emissions data to drive emissions reduction and accelerate the decarbonization of the planet. Article content SFL Missions was selected to develop the two latest satellites due in part to the precise attitude control and target tracking capabilities of its satellite platforms – rare among spacecraft of their size and price points. This enables exact pointing of the onboard sensors, which is vital to the accurate detection and measurement of greenhouse gas emissions from sources on the ground. SFL Missions' platforms have earned a well-deserved reputation for quality, performance and reliability. Article content In addition, SFL Missions incorporates robust design margins into every satellite, and these include the onboard power systems, data storage, and downlink capacities. These margins in orbit translate into better operations and longer missions, contributing to the better-than-anticipated collection capacity that GHGSat has achieved with its earlier NEMO-based spacecraft. Article content SFL Missions is building on a heritage that has produced 88 operationally successful missions and 380+ cumulative years in orbit. The firm is developing nano-, micro-, and small satellites and constellations using space-proven bus designs from 3 to 500 kilograms for Earth observation, communications, environmental monitoring, maritime situational awareness, space astronomy, scientific research and more. Article content Currently expanding its Toronto satellite manufacturing facilities, SFL Missions has 20 satellites under development or awaiting launch. In addition, SFL Missions offers a Flex Production program that will give customers the option of having satellites developed in their own location, at a third-party site, or at the SFL Missions facility. Article content SFL Missions Inc. generates bigger returns from smaller, lower cost satellites. Small satellites built by SFL Missions consistently push the performance envelope and disrupt the traditional cost paradigm. We build quality small satellites at low cost that work the first time and enable NewSpace companies to mass produce through our Flex Production program. Satellites are built with advanced power systems, stringent attitude control and high-volume data capacity that are striking relative to the budget. We arrange launches globally and maintain a mission control center accessing ground stations worldwide. The pioneering and barrier-breaking work of SFL Missions is a key enabler to tomorrow's cost-aggressive satellites and constellations. Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content Article content Article content
Business Wire
24-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
SFL Missions Inc. Announces Launch and Successful Deployment of Two GHGSat Greenhouse Gas Monitoring Microsatellites
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SFL Missions Inc. today announced the successful launch and deployment of the GHGSat-C12 and GHGSat-C13 (also known as Pierre and Valmay, respectively) greenhouse gas monitoring microsatellites developed for GHGSat of Montreal. SFL Missions Inc. developed the satellites on a low-cost, high-performance 15-kg NEMO bus, the same used to build the first nine GHGSat spacecraft. GHGSat-C12 and -C13 launched on June 23 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, aboard the SpaceX Transporter 14 ride-share mission. Ground control has established communications with both spacecraft. 'SFL Missions is pleased that GHGSat has once again placed trust in us to support development of its industry-leading commercial greenhouse gas monitoring constellation,' said SFL Missions Director Dr. Robert E. Zee. 'We take pride in developing barrier-breaking, budget-aggressive small satellite missions for commercial, government, and academic customers worldwide.' GHGSat is the world leader in emissions monitoring technologies and pioneered the first satellite capable of detecting and measuring facility-level greenhouse gas emissions from space. Decision-makers across governments and industries including oil and gas, power generation, mining, waste management, and agriculture rely on GHGSat emissions data to drive emissions reduction and accelerate the decarbonization of the planet. SFL Missions was selected to develop the two latest satellites due in part to the precise attitude control and target tracking capabilities of its satellite platforms – rare among spacecraft of their size and price points. This enables exact pointing of the onboard sensors, which is vital to the accurate detection and measurement of greenhouse gas emissions from sources on the ground. SFL Missions' platforms have earned a well-deserved reputation for quality, performance and reliability. In addition, SFL Missions incorporates robust design margins into every satellite, and these include the onboard power systems, data storage, and downlink capacities. These margins in orbit translate into better operations and longer missions, contributing to the better-than-anticipated collection capacity that GHGSat has achieved with its earlier NEMO-based spacecraft. SFL Missions is building on a heritage that has produced 88 operationally successful missions and 380+ cumulative years in orbit. The firm is developing nano-, micro-, and small satellites and constellations using space-proven bus designs from 3 to 500 kilograms for Earth observation, communications, environmental monitoring, maritime situational awareness, space astronomy, scientific research and more. Currently expanding its Toronto satellite manufacturing facilities, SFL Missions has 20 satellites under development or awaiting launch. In addition, SFL Missions offers a Flex Production program that will give customers the option of having satellites developed in their own location, at a third-party site, or at the SFL Missions facility. About SFL Missions Inc. ( SFL Missions Inc. generates bigger returns from smaller, lower cost satellites. Small satellites built by SFL Missions consistently push the performance envelope and disrupt the traditional cost paradigm. We build quality small satellites at low cost that work the first time and enable NewSpace companies to mass produce through our Flex Production program. Satellites are built with advanced power systems, stringent attitude control and high-volume data capacity that are striking relative to the budget. We arrange launches globally and maintain a mission control center accessing ground stations worldwide. The pioneering and barrier-breaking work of SFL Missions is a key enabler to tomorrow's cost-aggressive satellites and constellations.
