Sateliot, the European satellite telecommunications operator, has successfully launched five new satellites for its 5G NTN IoT network as scheduled, enabling the company to increase connection frequency and service capacity in areas without terrestrial mobile coverage. With this mission, named Draconis, the company brings the total number of satellites launched since its foundation to 11 and advances the commercial deployment of a technology that has already been validated.
With the nominal initial status of all five units confirmed, their incorporation into the constellation will reduce the time between satellite passes and increase connection opportunities for devices. Specifically, they will double the average number of daily passes and halve revisit time.
In addition, the five new units incorporate technological improvements compared with the four satellites launched in 2024, including an optimized payload and a more reliable and efficient onboard data storage system.
They also feature upgraded versions of the onboard central computer and attitude control system, providing greater stability and facilitating in-orbit manoeuvres, as well as memory systems that are more resilient to space conditions, particularly radiation.
These five units, which will orbit at an altitude of 510 km, incorporate the connectivity technology developed by Sateliot for its 5G NTN IoT network. Each satellite measures 20 x 10 x 35 centimetres, weighs 10 kg and has an operational lifetime of five years. Alén Space was responsible for their manufacturing, while Exolaunch handled their integration with the launch vehicle.
The satellites operate as telecommunications towers in space, extending the coverage of mobile operators through wholesale agreements so they can provide Internet of Things services in areas beyond the reach of terrestrial networks.
The five new satellites form part of a single constellation of more than 500 satellites that will evolve through successive technological generations, from massive IoT to higher-capacity and mission-critical services, including D2D capabilities.
According to Jaume Sanpera, CEO and co-founder of Sateliot, “The Draconis mission is a strong reflection of where the company stands today. We have validated the technology and are now increasing capacity and service regularity to scale together with mobile operators. Our goal is to make satellite connectivity a natural extension of their networks wherever terrestrial coverage does not reach and, using this same standards-based and interoperable infrastructure, evolve towards increasingly critical and resilient services. We are building a European telecommunications infrastructure based on our own technology, built on the 3GPP standard and with a global ambition”.
Source: Sateliot
