Hiber Global’s ground station network
On the heels of Astrocast’s ground network announcement, Hiber Global outlined its ground station network necessary supporting its satellite IoT constellation. The company will have two dedicated and owned ground stations, one on top of Hiber’s Research and Development Centre in Delft, the Netherlands, the other on Svalbard in Norway. It is also going to be a customer of KSAT’s satellite network for extended ground station network coverage around the world.
Ground stations are a big deal for satellite IoT providers. Hiber may also use the Audacy in-orbit satellite network for moving information between its constellation and the ground. (September 18)
Rocket Lab to launch first satellites for Kleos Space
Rocket Lab will launch the Kleos Scouting Mission (KSM) for RF monitoring firm Kleos Space in 2019. Multiple satellites will be launched on a Rocket Lab Electron rocket from New Zealand in mid-2019, but the total number of satellites onboard wasn’t disclosed in the press release.
Kleos Space will geolocate radio transmissions on the ground and pinpoint their origin and timing. Applications include tracking maritime traffic, detecting illegal activities, and assisting in search and rescue at sea. (September 19)
RBC Signals developing optical communication systems for satellites
Seattle-based RBC Signals announced it has signed a MOU to work with the Ecuadorian Civilian Space Agency (EXA) to develop an optical communication system for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and lunar/deep space programs.
RBC Signals currently has an RF ground station network, but optical communication support is becoming a necessity, with numerous small satellite constellations starting to roll lasers into the mix for higher data transmission speeds. Analytical Space plans to use laser communications as a tool on its data relay satellites while ICEYE is integrating a laser communications package on its radar satellites. (October 4)
