SEALSQ and WISeSat launch secure satellite on SpaceX mission

SEALSQ, WISeKey, and their satellite arm WISeSat.Space have started off December with a significant milestone: the successful launch of their latest WISeSat secure satellite aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 Transporter-16 rideshare mission. This deployment strengthens the companies’ goals to establish a secure, sovereign constellation that will support low-power IoT and next-gen cybersecurity services on a global scale.

For eeNews Europe readers, this development is particularly pertinent as the region intensifies its efforts to secure industrial IoT, critical infrastructure, and space-based communications using post-quantum technologies.

Falcon 9 Deployment Expands WISeSat Constellation

The new satellite, placed into orbit via SpaceX’s Falcon 9, expands WISeSat’s coverage for industrial IoT, encrypted communications, environmental monitoring, and infrastructure protection. This mission also solidifies WISeSat’s partnership with SpaceX as a regular launch provider.

Carlos Moreira, CEO of SEALSQ, WISeKey, and WISeSat, expressed his excitement about the achievement, stating: “This successful launch with SpaceX marks a significant advancement for WISeSat and for Europe’s ability to operate secure space-based communications autonomously. The WISeSat constellation is designed to seamlessly integrate with SEALSQ post-quantum chips, ensuring unparalleled levels of trust, privacy, and resilience for the next generation of connected devices.”

Designed as a cutting-edge platform, the satellite introduces several enhancements tailored for high-reliability IoT and mission-critical markets. Its software-defined radio (SDR) architecture enables in-orbit reconfiguration to support new or evolving communication standards — a crucial capability as IoT protocols continue to diversify. Enhanced data-rate communication links also promise quicker and more secure data transfer for demanding cybersecurity and industrial applications.

Quantum-Safe Roadmap Accelerates Toward 2026

The companies affirm that this launch further solidifies WISeKey’s position at the crossroads of IoT, blockchain, cybersecurity, and space technology — areas where Europe is striving for technological independence. WISeSat aims to serve government, defense, and enterprise clients with commercial services that can scale as the constellation expands.

Starting with its upcoming launch in early 2026, WISeSat plans to introduce quantum-safe key distribution from orbit. This service is intended to support critical sectors like energy, transport, and smart-city infrastructure while facilitating secure onboarding of billions of IoT devices using quantum-resistant digital identities provisioned directly from space.

Technologies from WISeKey, SEALSQ, and Hedera are converging across the platform, with WISeSat emphasizing the use of trusted digital tokens — including SEALCOIN — for secure space-to-ground transactions and tokenized satellite services, thereby enhancing interoperability.

Growing Ground Network in Europe

To support the expanding constellation, WISeSat has established a new dedicated antenna site in La Línea, Spain, with additional installations planned in Switzerland. The upgraded ground infrastructure enhances real-time monitoring, mission control, and secure management for upcoming missions as WISeSat moves towards a broader European presence.

With this recent launch, the companies are sharpening their competitive edge in Europe’s evolving space-cybersecurity landscape, aiming to deliver a blend of sovereign capability, commercial scalability, and post-quantum preparedness.