Five satellites manufactured by Alén Space successfully launched into orbit for Sateliot’s Draconis mission

On October 1, five new small satellites manufactured by GMV's subsidiary, Alén Space were successfully launched into orbit aboard a Falcon 9 rocket on SpaceX’s Transporter-18 mission. Developed for Sateliot, the European satellite telecommunications operator, the satellites are part of Draconis, its new mission to expand the capacity of its 5G NTN IoT network and increase connection frequency in areas without terrestrial mobile coverage.

For Alén Space, this mission marks another significant milestone in the evolution of its small satellite production capabilities. Following the four satellites manufactured for Sateliot in 2024, the company has now delivered five additional 6U CubeSats, significantly reducing development time while incorporating new technical capabilities. The maturity of the platform has enabled the satellites to be designed and manufactured in half the time required for the previous mission. Overall, Draconis reinforces Alén Space’s experience in the serial production of small satellites for commercial constellations.

With this mission, launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, Sateliot has brought the total number of satellites launched since its foundation to eleven and takes a further step in the commercial deployment of a technology that has already been successfully validated.

The launch will reduce the time between satellite passes and increase the number of connection opportunities available to devices. On average, the number of daily passes will double, while revisit time will be halved. The five new satellites incorporate technological improvements, including an optimised payload and a more reliable and efficient system for storing data on board.

The new satellites also feature upgraded versions of the onboard computer and attitude control system, providing greater stability and enabling more efficient in-orbit manoeuvres, as well as memory systems with enhanced resistance to the harsh conditions of the space environment, particularly radiation.

The five satellites, which orbit at an altitude of 510 kilometres, incorporate the connectivity technology developed by Sateliot for its 5G NTN IoT network. Each satellite measures 20 x 10 x 35 centimetres, weighs 10 kilograms and has an expected operational lifetime of five years.  

The satellites operate as telecommunications towers in space, extending mobile operators’ coverage through wholesale agreements and enabling them to provide Internet of Things services in areas beyond the reach of terrestrial networks.