Cold-gas propulsion technology to be used in IoT nanosatellites!

Swiss-based Astrocast has placed an order for GomSpace's cold-gas propulsion technology to be used in their first group of ten IoT nanosatellites to be launched in 2019. Delivery of the propulsion systems is scheduled to take place in Q4, 2018 and the first quarter of 2019.

Astrocast plans to launch and operate a constellation of up to 64 cubesats for world-wide low-latency IoT and machine to machine (M2M) applications. Like several satellite IoT startups, the company is building its service around the concept of low-power, low data rate and volume transmissions, incorporating a customized low-power chip into ground equipment for efficiency. An IoT device anywhere on the planet will be able to transmit to 1 KB per day through the Astrocast system, using L-band spectrum.  When the full constellation is deployed, data delivery between any IoT device and customer is expected to be less than 10 to 15 minutes.

GomSpace Sweden will deliver a propulsion system for each of the 10 nanosatellites in the first orbital plane of the new Astrocast constellation.

The contract is a follow-on order to the delivery of propulsions systems for the two precursor satellites.. The system will allow Astrocast to more rapidly deploy each satellite to its intended position and will assist in collision avoidance maneuvers.