Denmark-based GomSpace has entered a procurement deal to develop and deliver a constellation of satellites for the UK's Sky and Space Global (SAS) within four years.
The contract is valued between €35m and €55m depending upon various options, including development, services and choice of satellites. Delivery of the first set of units is expected by next year.
GomSpace CEO Niels Buus said: “With this project, we believe that Sky and Space Global, seconded by GomSpace, is on the verge of a breakthrough for nanosatellites in the professional low-earth orbit satellite business.”
SAS is currently preparing to launch its first 3 Diamonds nanosatellite constellation from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, India.
The satellites are planned to be sent aboard a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), and are due to be launched by the second quarter of the year.
Sky and Space Global CEO Meir Moalem said: “We are getting very close to the launch of our first 3 Diamonds mission, to which GomSpace is already a key supplier, and our goal is to build a communication network based on a constellation of nanosatellites.
“This contract with GomSpace is another step towards a commercial, revenue generating service. We are very happy to continue working with GomSpace, which has proven its value and capabilities.”
Construction of the 3 Diamonds satellites' hardware and operating systems was completed in January.