The Swedish Space Corporation (SSC) is increasing its capacity at the Inuvik Satellite Station Facility in Inuvik, Canada, with the addition of a new multi-mission antenna. The expansion is driven by increasing customer demand for communication with polar-orbiting satellites, normally used for Earth observation and atmospheric monitoring.

Inuvik's strategic location in the Northwest Territories is ideal for frequent tracking of satellites in polar orbits and for receiving real-time data from them. When used in combination with SSC's station at Esrange in northern Sweden, the Inuvik Satellite Station Facility provides unmatched coverage in the northern hemisphere. Both stations are also important nodes in SSC's global network of ground stations, PrioraNet.

"With increased capacity at Inuvik, we will not only be able to maintain the high level of services for our current customers", said Leif Osterbo, President of SSC's Satellite Management Services Division, "but we will also be able to offer our services to new customers while still ensuring back-up capacity is readily available whenever it is needed".

"The Inuvik Satellite Station Facility, the most northern major Canadian facility to receive Earth observation data, boosts Canada's ability to monitor our Arctic region while supporting economic development in the North," said the Honourable Greg Rickford, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources.

"Our Government is expanding the facility's capacity to provide real-time information on Canada's landmass and the world, and we are pleased to see the new antenna being installed by the Swedish Space Corporation."

The new 13-metre antenna will be fully operational in late 2015. Like SSC's existing antenna at Inuvik, it will support multiple frequency bands, including S-band and X-band.