HELSINKI, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- Finland-based satellite company ICEYE and telecommunications company Nokia announced a partnership on Thursday to develop secure, sovereign satellite communications systems for governments and defense customers.
The planned systems will use low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites to provide high-performance broadband connectivity for defense, border security, emergency services and disaster response, according to a joint press release. The companies expect to launch the first communications satellites under the partnership in 2028.
Under the partnership, ICEYE and Nokia will integrate satellites, ground infrastructure and ruggedized user terminals. ICEYE will contribute its experience in sovereign satellite missions, while Nokia will provide secure networking technologies.
Built on European technology, the systems would allow countries to own and control the satellites, ground infrastructure and user terminals, the companies said.
The systems would provide targeted, high-throughput and low-latency connectivity over priority operational areas. They are intended to complement existing military and commercial communications networks with additional capacity and resilience when terrestrial networks are disrupted or compromised.
ICEYE CEO and co-founder Rafal Modrzewski said the partnership would extend the company's sovereign space capabilities into satellite communications.
ICEYE specializes in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites and Earth observation services. It operates a commercial SAR satellite constellation and provides satellite systems that can be owned and operated by individual governments.
Nokia, headquartered in Espoo, southern Finland, is a global telecommunications and network infrastructure company with businesses spanning mobile and broadband networks. It has also expanded its portfolio into secure communications and defense-related technologies. ■