Kineis, a new space company based in France, is planning on launching the first European Internet of Things (IoT) nanosatellite constellation of 20 nanosatellites by the year 2021. Through this, the company aims to connect several million devices globally by 2030.
Kineis will be supported by France’s space agency CNES and Collecte Localisation Satellites (CLS), a CNES subsidiary providing satellite-based Earth Observation solutions.
According to Kineis, the satellites will utilize a new communication technology tailor-made for connected objects. This technology will draw upon CNES’ and CLS’ Argos satellite system, developed in the 1980s to track connected objects before the advent of GNSS.
The Kineis satellites will be manufactured by Thales Alenia Space, which has been selected as the project’s prime contractor. In addition, European company Nexeya will be responsible for the fabrication of nanosatellite platforms, and French company Syrlinks will support in the design and construction of the payloads.
The Kineis Space Network will complement existing terrestrial networks for device connectivity at low frequency. In Asia, Kineis will operate one antenna in Jakarta and five in Australia as part of its initial global network of 25 antennas, with more to be installed in Southeast Asia at a later date. Part of its plans for Asia include monitoring the safety of canoes and fishermen in Indonesia, and in Australia, monitoring livestock and food security of herds.
“Kineis is a satellite operator that will provide unique, universal connectivity fully dedicated to the IoT industry. Any object fitted with a Kineis modem can be located and can transmit data wherever it is, whatever the conditions. Kineis connectivity is simple to integrate into third-party devices, consumes very little power and is reliable. The company will become the natural partner for all entrepreneurs seeking to offer their customers an inexpensive satellite-based Internet of Things,” said Alexandre Tisserant, Kineis Project Leader.
“With Kineis, French NewSpace is becoming a reality based on more than 50 years of space success that can provide a competitive offer with high added value. Kineis has CNES’s unconditional backing to develop what will become soon a worldwide reference. A new opportunity for CNES to promote the development of the space industry and its excellence,” said Jean-Yves Le Gall, CNES President.
