Kleos Space S.A, 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.”