Name

Birkeland

Alternate Names

Milspace2-1, ex BROS 1.

Satellite ID

MXLF-5468-2040-9772-6013

NORAD ID

55015

Website

https://www.nlr.org/news/norwegian-dutch-research-mission-for-radar-signals/

Countries of Origin

Netherlands

Norway

Launch Date

2023-01-03T14:57:00+00:00

The MilSpace2 (formerly BROS (Binational Radiofrequency Observing Satellites)) satellies, named Birkeland and Hyugens, are a pair of Norwegian and Dutch nanosatellites for researching, which are operated by a consortium consisting of consists of the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI), the Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR) and Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO).

The consortium selected satellite integrator NanoAvionics to build two nanosatellites in April 2020. The purchase order is part of a military use of space (MilSpace) project under a bilateral strategic mutual assistance in research and technology (SMART) memorandum of understanding (MoU). The two nanosatellites are intended to demonstrate the concept of a space based spectrum monitoring system to geolocate radar signals. It is the first time for Norway and the Netherlands to launch a formation of satellites.

The MilSpace2 mission is the first known two-satellite system to detect, classify, and accurately geolocate Radio Frequency signals, including navigation radars used on ships, by combining the measurement angle of arrival (AoA) and time difference of arrival (TDOA). Simultaneous detection of pulsed radio signals by both satellites flying in tandem enables accurate geolocation during all weather conditions.