NorSat-3 – Next Generation Norwegian Maritime Surveillance

The NorSat-3 mission, with expected launch Q2/Q3 2020, aims to enhance the Norwegian recognized maritime picture with an experimental ship navigational radar detector (NRD) in addition to an AIS receiver. The NRD aims to geolocate ship navigation radars within 10 km circular error probable and verify AIS positions. The 10º NRD antenna field of view will nominally be pointed towards the horizon in order to maximize the area coverage and view of the ships’ navigation radar main lobe. Operating in a near polar low earth orbit the Norwegian area of interest may be covered between 10 and 15 times per day if pointing the antenna suitably. Achieving the desired geolocation accuracy and area coverage, while minimizing polarization loss, requires a highly capable attitude determination and control system. The signal processing capabilities of the Zynq Ultrascale+ system-on-chip enables the radar signal processing in orbit, although also requiring a large platform power generation capability. The mission, payloads and platform are described in this paper, including some of the lessons learned. All flight subsystems and payloads have completed their relevant unit environmental tests, including proton irradiation of NRD electronics. Final system verification and environmental testing begins August 2019, with a target flight readiness review November 2019