On Sept. 24, 2026, satellite manufacturer GomSpace confirmed its participation in an ESA-funded feasibility study to define system concepts for a dedicated Arctic satellite constellation.
Executed alongside industry partners Sternula, London Economics Denmark, and Canadian Arctic consultancy PIRC, the study will establish user requirements, commercial models, and technical architectures for resilient maritime digital communications across high-latitude polar routes.
Contract Allocation and Financial Parameters
The six-month research activity carries a total contract value of DKK 3.8 million ($560,000), with DKK 1 million ($147,000) directly allocated to GomSpace to evaluate spacecraft bus architectures and payload integration requirements. The consortium will assess VHF Data Exchange System (VDES) payloads and secure satellite communications hardware capable of operating in polar orbits to overcome line-of-sight limitations facing geostationary communication satellites at high latitudes.
Strategic support for the initiative is backed by the Danish government, which earmarked DKK 12.7 million for polar space infrastructure within the 2026–2028 ESA budget cycle. Within that allocation, DKK 9.5 million is specifically reserved to finance potential follow-on satellite manufacturing and in-orbit demonstration missions.
Executive Viewpoint
“As Arctic activity increases, the need for resilient, high‑integrity communication becomes unavoidable,” stated Oliver Schiewe, Vice President of Business Unit Satellite Systems at GomSpace. “This study is an important step toward a viable future constellation, and we are pleased to contribute our technology and operational know‑how to help shape a system that can deliver long‑term value for Arctic stakeholders.”
Study Timeline and Demonstration Outlook
The consortium will conduct technical trade studies, orbital coverage modeling, and commercial sustainability analyses through February 2027. Findings from the final report will be submitted to ESA and national space authorities to guide procurement decisions and hardware specifications for subsequent Arctic demonstration launches planned under the 2026–2028 budget window.
