Australian Internet of Things (IoT) startup Fleet Space Technologies has announced launch plans for its first two nanosatellites, Centauri I and II, in the second half of 2018. The NewSpace startup, via launch services provider Spaceflight, will launch them on Indian space agency ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), and SpaceX’s Falcon 9, respectively.
The two nanosatellites, each weighing less than 10kg, will begin Fleet’s planned 100-nanosatellite global constellation. According to Fleet, just one of these satellites will be able to cover 90% of the Earth.
“It’s a huge milestone to have secured our first satellite launches with incredible organisations. We’re thrilled to work alongside some of the world’s leading space innovators to help transform industries down on Earth,” said Fleet Space Technologies co-founder and CEO, Flavia Tata Nardini.
Fleet has already begun commercializing its offerings. Currently, the company is using third party satellite systems, along its proprietary LoRaWAN™, a low power wide area network (LPWAN) for wireless battery-operated devices. Later this year, its edge computing solution The Portal will be operationalized, with Fleet taking pre-orders now.
Along with securing the launches, Fleet has also partnered with IoT security company Cog, and will deploy Cog’s D4 Secure platform on trial projects around the world. Target industries are remote industrial agriculture, maritime logistics, mining and environmental applications.
“Our world is facing huge challenges in the upcoming years with exponential population growth, rapid resource depletion, intensifying extreme weather events and heightening environmental issues,” said Fleet’s Co-founder and CEO, Flavia Tata Nardini.
Currently, Fleet is undertaking a variety of pilot projects to develop the technology, with applications ranging from precision agriculture and virtual fences to maritime logistics and mining. So far, some of Fleet’s projects include using its technology to monitor water quality, temperature and key characteristics of the Great Barrier Reef, as well as to monitor farm temperatures and soil moisture in Australia.
