Tunisia's R&D engineering group Telnet announced a new step in its satellite programme, after signing a MoU agreement with two Russian companies to deploy a 30-strong constellation by 2023. The programme first emerged in April, when Telnet unveiled plans to put its first satellite into orbit with Russia’s Soyuz-2 rocket, using operator GK Launch Services. With this latest partnership, the company has agreed to co-develop the fleet’s components with aerospace manufacturer Sputnix, a Russian start-up specialising in nano/micro satellites, while working with GK Launch Services to put the constellation into orbit.
Announcing the trilateral agreement, Telnet said that the satellites will be used for IoT applications. It also highlighted the importance of the programme in laying the foundations for the development of a space industry in Tunisia, noting that the project also covers the establishment of test laboratories in the country and training for local R&D and engineering students.