Glasgow-based Clyde Space (
www.clyde.space) has designed and built two advanced nano-satellites for a Canadian company — Kepler Communications.
The first — KIPP— was successfully put into Low Earth Orbit last month from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre (JSLC) in north-western China.
Kepler made contact with it a few hours later, and all systems were performing as planned.
Kepler is deploying a space telecommunications network that will relay data for devices in remote regions.
This pilot satellite — an advanced 3U CubeSat — carries the company’s Software Defined Radio (SDR) and antenna array, making it the first commercial company to launch and operate a Low Earth Orbit (LEO)Ku-band satellite.
The Kepler network will open new business opportunities for applications such as bulk data transfer and IoT (the Internet of Things).
Data gathered by the constellation will have a range of applications, from intelligent shipping to smart agriculture and improving health and safety.
Designed, built and delivered to the launch site in just 12 months, this high-performance small satellite is a milestone for the companies, making history with its unique payload and high-performance spacecraft technologies.
The mission is supported by on-board and mission control software developed by Dundee-based Bright Ascension.
The Clyde-built satellites, which measure 30 x 10 x 10cm, are supporting an increasing range of new and technically challenging space applications. KIPP is the first of a number of 3U and 6U Clyde Space CubeSats scheduled for launch in 2018.
Mina Mitry, Kepler CEO, said: “We are really excited that we can claim the first Ku LEO satellite, which is a key milestone in achieving our long-term vision.
“Clyde Space has proven to be a great partner and has demonstrated its ability to meet challenging system requirements within our required time-lines.”