- Kleos Space’s (KSS) four Polar Vigilance Mission (KSF1) satellites are launched from Cape Canaveral in Florida aboard the Spaceflight SXRS-5/SpaceX Transporter-2 Mission
- Kleos says the Polar Vigilance satellites further enhance its global coverage and data collection capabilities
- The company says its third satellite cluster, the Polar Patrol Mission cluster, is on track to launch in late 2021 onboard another SpaceX Falcon 9
- Kleos Space was up 3.19 per cent, trading at 97 cents at 4:40 pm AEST
Kleos Space (KSS) has launched its second satellite cluster aboard the Spaceflight SXRS-5/SpaceX Transporter2 Mission.
The Polar Vigilance Mission (KSF1) launched yesterday from Cape Canaveral in Florida and was deployed into a 525-kilometre sun-synchronous orbit.
Kleos satellites are designed to collect radio frequency data that is processed in order to detect hidden and illegal activities, like piracy, drug and people smuggling, border security challenges and illegal fishing.
The company says the Polar Vigilance satellites further enhance its global coverage and data collection capabilities and broaden the coverage range of Kleos’ first cluster of four scouting mission satellites.
The four original scouting mission satellites (KSM1) were launched into a 37-degree low earth orbit in November 2020 and were the world’s first four-satellite cluster flown in a formation for precision geolocation capability, which then delivered data to the company and its customers.
Satellite developer, Innovative Solutions In Space is performing the early operation phase (LEOP) support for the new mission, which includes commissioning all spacecraft systems and manoeuvring the four satellites into operational formation.
“Despite the schedule for the KSF1 satellites from placing the contract to launch being exceptionally ambitious, Kleos’ second cluster has been launched within the time window allocated and on budget,” Kleos Space CTO, Miles Ashcroft said.
“Kleos is well on track to see its third constellation in orbit by the end of this year.”
“With each cluster launched, coverage and volume of data increases, commensurately increasing our revenue opportunities.”
The constellation is set to continue to grow with the addition of Kleos’ third satellite cluster, the Polar Patrol Mission, which is on track for a late 2021 launch aboard another SpaceX Falcon 9.
Kleos Space was up 3.19 per cent, trading at 97 cents at 4:40 pm AEST.