NanoAvionics secures funding for 280 LEO satellites

Meridian Space, a next-generation satellite broadband constellation being developed by SpinLaunch, has chosen Kongsberg NanoAvionics as its exclusive satellite supplier for the initial tranche of its LEO satellites under a contract valued at 122.5M EUR. The partnership involves two prototypes, including an in-orbit demonstrator (IOD) mission set for 2026. With the funding, an initial batch of 280 satellites will be developed and serially produced.

Beyond the initial 280 satellites, the Meridian Space constellation plans to expand to at least 1,200 satellites, as outlined in its 2021 spectrum filings. To meet the production schedule, NanoAvionics will enhance its manufacturing capabilities by establishing a new assembly and testing facility at its European headquarters in Vilnius, Lithuania. The company aims to support Meridian Space in scaling the network through its production and system customisation expertise.

The Meridian Space satellite network will offer affordable broadband connectivity globally by utilizing innovative technologies such as ultra-efficient reflectarray antennas and a pioneering orbital architecture. The network is designed to provide uninterrupted global connectivity with terabits-per-second capacity in a single rocket launch. This system aims to meet the increasing demand for flexible, high-speed, and secure satellite communication services for enterprise users.

The IOD mission will showcase Meridian’s communications payload on board the NanoAvionics MP42 microsatellite bus. During this phase, NanoAvionics and SpinLaunch will collaborate to develop a satellite optimized for higher performance and launch efficiency. Weighing around 70 kilograms each, these satellites are lighter than current operational platforms and offer significant performance advantages per kilogram.

“Our collaboration exemplifies how NanoAvionics enables advanced satellite missions with standardized, scalable technology,” said Atle Wøllo, CEO of Kongsberg NanoAvionics. “The team behind Meridian Space, combined with NanoAvionics’ small satellites, will revolutionize the NewSpace industry and satellite communications.”

Since 2020, SpinLaunch has been developing its broadband constellation architecture and advanced antenna technology while advancing its low-cost, high-cadence kinetic launch system. Accessible through terminal-agnostic devices, Meridian’s network will extend satellite-based broadband to diverse markets. “NanoAvionics aligns well with our goal of bringing a highly differentiated satcom constellation to market,” said David Wrenn, CEO of SpinLaunch. “Together, we are working towards providing global enterprises with a low-cost, reliable, high-speed broadband service.”

This expansion of NanoAvionics’s production capabilities will utilize automated processes to support efficient scaling to hundreds of satellites per year. With the backing of parent company Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, NanoAvionics is well-equipped to scale operations for large satellite networks.