Commercial Communications Satellites

Keeping the world connected. That's Defining Possible.

pinch

Defining Possible in Commercial Communications Satellites

Global, regional and national satellite communications service providers rely on our affordable, flight-proven satellites for their broadband, television broadcasting, mobile communications, business data networks and other telecommunications missions. Northrop Grumman is an industry pioneer in the design and production of commercial satellites as well as in the incorporation of civil and military hosted payloads on commercial spacecraft.

Rendering of the GEOstar-3 satellite

GEOStar

Northrop Grumman's GEOStar™ geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) commercial satellites are among the industry's best small- and medium-class communications satellites for 2-8 kW missions.

Northrop Grumman's GEOStar satellites are a very economical choice for the small to medium market, providing a full complement of payload capabilities. With more than 50 satellite contracts to date, Northrop Grumman's GEOStar satellites have demonstrated benefits to established global and regional operators, as well as government and emerging new businesses for Broadcast Satellite Services (BSS), Fixed Satellite Services (FSS), High-throughput satellite (HTS), and other mission capabilities.

GEOStar Fact Sheet

Recent GEOStar Missions

Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission (ASBM)

Northrop Grumman developed a two-satellite constellation for Space Norway’s Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission (ASBM). These satellites launched in August of 2024 and host payloads for the Norwegian Ministry of Defence, the U.S. Space Force, Viasat and the European Commission. The ASBM satellites operate in a highly elliptical orbit (HEO) and provide secure and reliable communications in the critical Arctic region for both commercial and military communications. 

SES 18 and 19

Northrop Grumman developed two C-band satellites for SES that operate in the upper portion of the C-band spectrum—a range of wireless radio frequencies used for critical telecommunications and data connectivity around the world. The satellites are based on the GEOStar platform and launched in March of 2023. SES 18 and 19 are the 8th and 9th GEOStar communications satellites Northrop Grumman has manufactured for SES. 

Galaxy 33 and 34

Developed for Intelsat, the Galaxy 33 and Galaxy 34 spacecraft are C-band satellites that operate in the upper portion of the C-band spectrum—a range of wireless radio frequencies used for critical telecommunications and data connectivity around the world. The satellites are based on the GEOStar platform and launched in October of 2022. Galaxy 33 and Galaxy 34 are the 12th and 13th such satellites the company has manufactured for Intelsat.

Commercial Satellites in the News

Northrop Grumman Completes Activation of the Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission Capabilities, Including EPS-R Payloads

Learn More

Northrop Grumman-Built Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission Successfully Launches to Extend Arctic Connectivity

Learn More

Northrop Grumman Ships Space Norway’s Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission Satellites to Launch Site

Learn More

Making History in Space – Every Day

Learn More

Northrop Grumman-built Commercial Telecommunications Satellites Launched Successfully

Learn More

Northrop Grumman Completes Essential Tests for Arctic Region Satellite Communications Program

Learn More

Northrop Grumman Achieves Key Milestone in Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission

Northrop Grumman has delivered two major components of the Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission (ASBM).

Learn More

Northrop Grumman-built Commercial Telecommunications Satellites Launched Successfully

Spacecraft are the first in a rapid series of civil, military and commercial Northrop Grumman payloads to be launched this fall

Learn More