Space Norway integrates Starlink with GEO/HEO services

Space Norway has added SpaceX’s Starlink low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite connectivity to its suite of communications services to ships and offshore support vessels operating in northern seas, Europe, the Mediterranean and the Middle East.

Starlink will be provided alongside communications over geostationary (GEO) and highly elliptical orbit (HEO) satellites as part of a multi-orbit solution.

LEO will enable low-latency, high-speed communications to enhance critical connectivity and crew welfare services to vessels operating in regions Space Norway provides coverage with its own GEO and HEO satellites.

“This agreement, as an authorised Starlink reseller, marks a significant milestone in our journey toward becoming a comprehensive multi-orbit service provider,” said Space Norway chief executive Morten Tengs.

Space Norway director of data services, Jan Hetland, said LEO services will be enabled in the coming weeks with shipowners and managers able to purchase the necessary hardware, including flat-panel antennas to run Starlink services directly from Space Norway.

“With Starlink, we can deliver resilient connectivity to both current and new clients,” said Mr Hetland.

Clients can use Space Norway’s engineering team and 24/7 support desk and portal to manage their connectivity by monitoring usage, as well as upgrading and downgrading their service.

Space Norway is expanding its own constellation of satellites in the next three years to enhance its Ka-band very small aperture terminal (VSAT) services to shipping.

In February 2025, Space Norway ordered a new GEO satellite to provide Ka-band connectivity to the maritime and offshore sectors across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

The Norwegian satellite owner finalised an agreement with Thales Alenia Space for the design, construction, testing and delivery of Thor 8, which is scheduled for launch in 2027.