Artist’s rendering of Kleos’ nanosatellite constellation. Image supplied.

ASX-listed Kleos Space has appointed Kongsberg Satellite Services as provider for ground station services as it prepares to launch the first of its constellation of radio frequency reconnaissance satellites.

Kleos has announced another milestone in its preparations for launch of its Scouting Mission satellites, slated to be on a Rocket Labs Electron rocket sometime in 2019.

Material released by the firm indicates that the Scouting Mission will contain multiple satellites as the foundation of a constellation aimed at providing intelligence on hidden maritime activity.

The geospatial intelligence startup has signed a service agreement with Kongsberg, which will see the firm’s satellites transmitting observation data to Kongsberg’s KSAT downlink ground station Svalbard in Norway post-launch.

The agreement will give them access to Kongsberg’s KSAT ground system network, which currently has 15 locations worldwide.

Kleos CEO Andy Bowyer said: “One of the keys to our success lies in the choice of technological partners. We have appointed Kongsberg as they are one of the World leaders for data reception and near real time Earth Observation services. Kleos is proud to work with Kongsberg, with 50 years’ experience in a fast growing and challenging industry and environment.”

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