Kleos Space reveals August launch for Scouting Mission satellites

Kleos Space (ASX: KSS) has revealed its Scouting Mission launch date for August, with the satellites to be ejected on a Rocket Lab electron vehicle.

According to Kleos, the Scouting Mission will comprise four GomSpace manufactured nano-satellites the size of a shoebox.

The Scouting Mission satellites will be commissioned in a 500km sun synchronous orbit as part of a rideshare mission with small satellite launch provider Rocket Lab.

Rocket Lab has informed Kleos that 14-day launch window will be made public about 20 days before the target date.

“Kleos’ technical team have applied themselves exceptionally well to achieve this stage mission-readiness for the Kleos Scouting Mission and continue to optimise the post launch phase of the mission to ensure revenue generating data starts flowing as quick as possible,” Kleos chief executive officer Andrew Bowyer said.

“They have also worked well with GomSpace to improve the satellites capabilities further enhancing our offer to the market.”

The Scouting Mission will form the foundation of a satellite constellation, which will deliver a global picture of hidden maritime activity.

It is expected the constellation will enhance government and commercial intelligence capabilities when an automatic identification system is defeated, imagery is unclear or targets are out of patrol range.

Advancing Kleos

Kleos debuted on the ASX in August last year after raising $11 million and has since executed numerous strategic agreements including an memorandum of understanding with California’s Orbital Insight to jointly develop a route to market.

With the data generated by its constellation, Kleos is targeting the maritime intelligence market where illegal fishing is believed to cost US$23 billion globally.

Additionally, there are allegations that tankers “go dark” to keep selling oil, and of multiple vessels sharing one identity.

Meanwhile, marine insurance is valued at about US$15 billion, with the cost of marine terrorism and piracy estimated at US$25 billion.

Kleos’ intelligence produces georeferenced RF data, as well as maritime pattern, anomaly and comparator information.

This provides defence and other industries enhanced maritime situational awareness and can be used to monitor and report on illegal activities.

In early morning trade, Kleos’ shares were steady at $0.245.