Radio frequency reconnaissance data-as-a-service (DaaS) company Kleos Space has revealed it will commence development of its second satellite cluster, the Polar Vigilance Mission (KSF1), after completing an Integration Readiness Review.
The four Polar Vigilance nanosatellites are currently in the assembly and testing phase ahead of final acceptance. The satellites are then expected to be delivered to the launch site for integration into the SpaceX Falcon 9 launch vehicle.
The satellites are scheduled for a mid-2021 launch aboard the SpaceX rocket as part of a rideshare contract with Spaceflight Inc.
According to Kleos, the KSF1 satellites will launch into a 500-600km Sun Synchronous orbit, increasing Kleos’ coverage to the north and south of the 37-degree inclination of the Scouting Mission satellites, which launched in early November 2020.
This will be followed by the launch of Kleos’ third satellite cluster, the Polar Patrol Mission, in December 2021.
“Development of the KSF1 cluster is progressing at an incredible pace, with delivery to site planned for the end of May,” Kleos Space CTO Miles Ashcroft said.
“Kleos is leveraging the experience and enthusiasm of its satellite builder, Netherlands-based ISISPACE, to develop and deliver quickly as well as improve hardware and software capability.
“We are growing our constellation rapidly in 2021, with a further cluster scheduled for launch towards the end of the year.
He concluded: “Every satellite cluster launched increases the ground covered and the time covered, thus, the value of our radio frequency geolocation data increases, enabling tiered subscription licences for governments and commercial entities to be offered.”
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