As part of a rideshare deal with collaborator Spire Global, Kleos aims to set up a constellation of micro-satellites to help defence and security customers detect illegal maritime activity.
Kleos Space, a space-powered Radio Frequency Reconnaissance data-as-a-service company, has shipped four of its micro-satellites to India in preparation for launch.
Speaking about the missions progress, Kleos Space CEO Andy Bowyer said: Our independent radio frequency intelligence data is highly attractive to government and security organisations, enabling unprecedented detection of illegal maritime activity, irrespective of whether the vessel is using a broadcast transponder system.
Kleos Scouting Mission satellites are confirmed to launch aboard the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) PSLV C49 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Chennai, India.
All final launch preparations have been completed and Kleos four satellites are mission-ready. The satellites will launch into a 37-degree inclination, covering crucial shipping regions for defence and security customers including the Strait of Hormuz, South China Sea, Australian coast, Southern US coast as well as the East and West African coast.
In a statement issued by the company, Kleos claimed that its Scouting Mission satellites will detect and geolocate global maritime radio frequency transmissions, even in instances where the mandatory Automatic Identification System (AIS) has been switched off.
Its independent maritime intelligence data products will significantly improve detection of illegal activities at sea, including drug and people smuggling, illegal fishing and piracy.
