Flexenclosure is to supply an eCenter data center solution to Telenor Satellite Broadcasting (TSBc) in Norway, which will act as a communications center for TSBc’s  THOR 7 satellite, which is due in October this year.

The deal takes Flexenclosure, a manufacturer of prefabricated data centers, into the aviation and satellite market for the first time.

Sales of its cheap prebuilt data centers have previously come from mobile operators in developing nations.

Flexenclosure’s CEO David King said that the order propels the company into the space age.

“We’ve long been the first choice of mobile operators in developing nations that need secure data centers, very fast,” King said. 

“This order proves that eCenter is suitable for ultra high tech solutions in developed countries as well.”

The deal includes transport and installation.

The data center will be made at Flexenclosure’s factory in Vara, Sweden and installed at Hønefoss, Norway, 50km from Oslo where its primary control center will be.

The eCenter must be operational within four months and will be built to last the lifetime of the THOR 7 satellite.

A 42 sq m IT and equipment building will be powered by a 10 sq m energy center, which houses a power generator and connection to the grid.

The facility will use free air cooling technology which, the vendor claimed, will cut power consumption by 60% in the temperature control function.

Telenor Satellite Broadcasting technology division's senior project manager Ole Martin Grønli said that Flexenclosure has the experience in prefab deployments.

"Flexenclosure can customize and supply the equipment room and energy center - all of which are important to us," Grønli said.

“They can deliver to short timescales so we’re confident that they are a choice partner for this element of our THOR 7 program.”