Press Release

Kleos’ first two Patrol satellites deployed from D-Orbit Transfer vehicle

By SpaceRef Editor
April 14, 2022
Filed under , ,

Kleos Space S.A (ASX:KSS, Frankfurt:KS1), a space-powered Radio Frequency Reconnaissance data-as-a-
service (DaaS) company, confirms the first two Patrol Mission satellites (KSF2-C and KSF2-D) have been
successfully deployed from D-Orbit’s orbital transfer vehicle, ION Satellite Carrier, and contact has been
established. The remaining two Patrol satellites (KSF2-A and KSF3-B) are expected to be deployed into a
different orbit from the transfer vehicle in the coming weeks to establish the four satellites’ formation.

D-Orbit’s orbital transfer vehicle is a, self-propelled satellite deployer. Carrying Kleos’ four Patrol Mission
satellites, it was successfully launched into a 500km Sun Synchronous orbit from Cape Canaveral in Florida
aboard the SpaceX Transporter-4 mission on 1 April.

Kleos’ technical team has established bi-directional communication with the KSF2-C and KSF2-D satellites,
and in-orbit system commissioning has commenced. As all four satellites are deployed from the orbital
transfer vehicle, satellite developer Innovative Solutions In Space (ISIPACE) will assist with Launch and
Early Operation Phase (LEOP) support, including uploading and testing payload software, recalibrating
the Attitude Determination and Control System (ADCS), and manoeuvring the satellites into their
operational formation. Improvements to the Patrol Mission’s flight software is expected to significantly
reduce commissioning times.

The Patrol Mission expands Kleos’ low earth orbit constellation to 12 satellites and increases radio
frequency data collection capability to 253 million km2 per day. The cluster features new frequency
spectrum capabilities, enabling geolocation of X-Band radar transmissions in the 8500 -9600 MHz range,
commonly used for maritime vessel traffic control.

Kleos Space CTO, Vincent Furia said, “D-Orbit’s orbital transfer vehicle enables us to precisely deploy our
nanosatellite cluster into orbit. By deploying pairs of satellites into two slightly different orbital planes, it
enables us to establish our four satellites’ formation more quickly, while also saving propellent. Our third
satellite cluster almost doubles our constellation’s data collection capability and improves revisit rates
over key areas of interest. The Patrol Mission satellites add the ability to geolocate X-Band radar
frequencies to further enhance our existing maritime situational awareness capabilities. Our constellation
geolocates radio frequency transmissions to improve the detection of illegal activity, providing
unprecedented intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities when tracking systems such as
AIS have been switched off.”

For further information, please contact:

Kleos Space S.A.

Melanie Delannoy
P: +352 2088 2290
E: melanie.delannoy@kleosglobal.com

Media

Lou Weis
Apollo Strategists
P: +352 621 658 977
E: lou.weis@apollo.lu

Kleos Space S.A. 7 Rue de l’Innovation, L-1896 Kockelscheuer, Luxembourg – ARBN 625 668 733 / RCS B215591 

SpaceRef staff editor.