Kleos Space has plans for as many as 20 clusters of satellites, designed to detect and geolocate RF transmissions for applications ranging from combating piracy and people smuggling to illegal fishing.
Luxembourg-based satellite provider Kleos Space has signed new contracts with satellite builder Innovative Solutions in Space (ISISPACE) and global launch services provider Spaceflight Inc to build and manage the launch of its Observer Mission in mid-2022.
ISISPACE and Spaceflight supported Kleos Spaces second cluster of satellites that SpaceXs Falcon 9 Transporter-2 mission sent to sun synchronous orbit June 29.
They are also working on the startups third cluster, which Kleos Space said is on track to launch onboard a Falcon 9 rocket in January 2022.
Andy Bowyer, CEO of Kleos Space, said: We are rapidly building our constellation, utilising funds from our recent capital raise to commit to our fourth satellite cluster build and launch. Each new launch enables us to improve satellite data collection and increase revisits over key areas of interest for our customers. The Observer Mission increases the revenue opportunity from existing subscribers and caters to the needs of our growing global pipeline. Spaceflight and ISISPACE have proven to be effective partners for both our Vigilance Mission and upcoming Patrol Mission launch. We are leveraging their experience to accelerate the build and launch of our Observer Mission.
Kleos fourth satellite cluster complements the 37-degree orbit of the Scouting Mission and Sun Synchronous orbits of the Vigilance Mission and Patrol Mission satellites with up to a further 119m km2 data collection capacity per day.
Netherlands-based ISISPACE will provide Kleos with a turn-key solution for its four Observer Mission satellites, including design, development, production, testing, launch integration services, and support for checkout and commissioning.
Jeroen Rotteveel, CEO of ISISPACE, added: “We are proud to be expanding our strategic partnership with Kleos to build and support the launch of their fourth satellite cluster. Our extensive nanosatellite experience spans design, manufacturing and operation complementing Kleos in-house engineering expertise. We look forward to continuing to work with Kleos to increase satellite capability, leveraging learnings from earlier launches.”
Marcy Mabry, Spaceflights Mission Manager, stated: “We are delighted to be working with Kleos again to launch its small satellite payload into a 500-600km Sun Synchronous orbit. Our portfolio of frequent launch options provides unmatched flexibility and reliability, ensuring Kleos growing constellation gets to orbit when and where they want. Kleos satellite technology addresses a real-world need, providing precision geolocation data to improve situational awareness and disrupt illegal activity.”
Spaceflight provided the integration, mission management, and launch services for the successful launch of the Vigilance Mission satellites on its SXRS-5 mission in June 2021 and has already been engaged by Kleos for the upcoming launch.
