Kinéis, a satellite operator and IoT connectivity provider, continues to advance the deployment of Europe’s first IoT-focused satellite constellation, which will eventually comprise 25 nanosatellites.
The company remains on track with its plans, with the second of five launches scheduled to take place during a 14-day launch window beginning on Tuesday, 17th September 2024. The launch, which will take place from New Zealand via Rocket Lab’s Electron launcher, aims to place five new satellites into orbit. This mission, titled “Kinéis Killed the RadIoT Star,” follows the successful launch of the first five satellites in June 2024.
Commenting on the launch, Alexandre Tisserant, Chairman of Kinéis said: “The Kinéis teams are ready to build on the success of the 1st launch. They have capitalised on this first and delicate technical experience of putting our first 5 satellites into position and are delivering a real technical performance in managing the 5 new satellites simultaneously, in addition to the 5 already in the air. Rocket Lab’s Electron launcher made a major contribution to this success, thanks to the precision with which it injected our nanosatellites into their positions. The IoT revolution is underway. Thanks to our space-based connectivity, we’ll be able to connect any object anywhere in the world in near real time. Go Kinéis!”
“We’re excited to partner again with Kinéis on this transformative project to advance the future of global connectivity. The precise deployment capabilities of our Electron launcher are crucial for the success of Kinéis’ constellation. This second launch is not just about placing satellites; it’s about enabling a new era of global IoT integration. Together, we are setting the stage for unparalleled innovation and connectivity,” said Sir Peter Beck, Founder and CEO of Rocket Lab.
Kinéis’ IoT constellation will require a total of five launches, which are scheduled between June 2024 and early 2025. This represents a milestone for the new French space sector as the first constellation deployment of its kind. All launches will take place from Rocket Lab’s Launch Complex 1 on the Māhia Peninsula, located on New Zealand’s North Island. With five satellites being placed into orbit per launch, Kinéis has opted to be the sole payload on each mission, allowing for complete control over the launch schedule and the precise positioning of each satellite. The first launch in June successfully delivered five nanosatellites into orbit.
Once fully deployed, the 25-satellite constellation will enable Kinéis to connect objects from anywhere on the planet, even in remote or “white zones,” transmitting data to users in near real time. This data will serve as a valuable decision-making tool, helping to optimise operations and minimise risks through three key functions: tracking, monitoring, and alerting.
Kinéis’ space-based connectivity solutions are applicable across numerous sectors, addressing critical global challenges. These include natural disaster prevention (e.g., detection of forest fires, floods, and pollution), infrastructure and energy network monitoring (e.g., anomaly detection and predictive maintenance), transport and logistics, agriculture, wildlife and livestock tracking, as well as the monitoring of commercial and recreational maritime activities.
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