- Kleos’ fourth satellite cluster; Observer, is scheduled to launch on the Transporter-6 SpaceX mission
- Launch expected in September-November timeframe, approximately six months after the launch of Kleos’ third cluster
- Agreement signed with US Navy Naval Surface Warfare Center for joint data experimentation
Kleos Space S.A (ASX:KSS, Frankfurt:KS1), a space-powered Radio Frequency Reconnaissance Data-as-a-Service (DaaS) and Mission-as-a-Service (MaaS) provider, confirms its Observer Mission (KSF3) satellites is manifested to launch on the Transporter-6 SpaceX mission NET October 2022.
The Observer Mission satellites will be deployed into a Sun Synchronous orbit from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Spaceflight Inc. contracted the launch and integration services from ISILAUNCH on behalf of Kleos.
Equipped with AIS, VHF, and X-Band payloads, the four satellites will expand Kleos’ data collection capability by up to an additional 119 million km² per day. They also enable Kleos to increase its average daily revisit rate over the 15-degree latitude area of interest to around five times a day.
Kleos Space CEO Andy Bowyer said, “The upcoming launch brings our low earth orbit constellation to 16 satellites, further increasing our data collection, intelligence, and reconnaissance capabilities. The Observer Mission features VHF and X-Band collection payloads, providing additional value and capabilities to our government and commercial data customers.”
As a Spaceflight Inc. customer, Kleos’ KSF3 mission was originally booked for a mid-2022 launch, but was moved to SpaceX’s Transporter-6 mission and will deploy from an ISILAUNCH integrated port after Spaceflight encountered a vibration issue with their original deployment method.
“As Kleos continues to launch its constellation, it’s important to offer a variety of reliable launch options,” said Curt Blake, President and CEO of Spaceflight. “Through our diverse portfolio of launch and industry partners, Spaceflight delivers unprecedented launch flexibility. We’re excited to support Kleos as it continues to grow its constellation and deliver valuable capabilities and insight.”
“We are pleased that we could offer our support to Kleos and Spaceflight with launch capacity on a launch that best fitted the needs of our customers and partners”, said Abe Bonnema, Director of ISILAUNCH. “Part of the ISISPACE Group, building turn-key satellite solutions for Kleos, ISILAUNCH is keenly aware of the importance of launch flexibility and working with launch partners to best serve our joint customer needs. We look forward to launching the Observer Mission satellites.”
US Navy engaged
Kleos recently announced successful execution of a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the Naval Surface Warfare Center Division, Crane (NSWC Crane) for joint data experimentation.
Under the CRADA agreement, Kleos will provide its radio frequency (RF) geolocation data in realistic test scenarios to improve maritime domain awareness for real-world challenges, including sanctions reporting, embargo, transshipment monitoring, search and rescue, resource management, fisheries control, smuggling, and border control.
The agreement is the first phase of the SCOUT Experimentation Campaign – a collaboration between the Naval Research and Development Establishment, industry players, academia, and Department of Defense technology partners to rapidly innovate and integrate holistic solutions for military challenges. It includes discovery test exercises, which will contribute to the development and integration of technologies that allow for quicker leadership decision making.
The first phase of the SCOUT exercises will begin mid-2022 and will be spread over a few months for a cycle of rapid sprint discovery events leading to the main experimentation event, in Phase 2. The Office of Naval Research Industry briefing can be found here:
Kleos is uniquely positioned with a four satellites per cluster approach, flown in formation, targeting accurate RF geolocation data.
Commercial Progress
Over the past two months, Kleos received purchase orders & contracts valued at just over EUR 1 million for expected delivery & payment in the current and next quarter.