The Lithuanian company NanoAvionics has secured a contract valued at €122.5 million (£105.6 million) to develop and mass-produce 280 communication satellites for the Meridian Space constellation. This project is led by the American firm SpinLaunch, which is working to create an innovative satellite network. The contract marks the beginning of a long-term partnership, with plans to expand the constellation to at least 1,200 satellites over time.
Under the current agreement, NanoAvionics will collaborate with SpinLaunch to develop a satellite designed to enhance launch performance and overall efficiency. This includes the creation of two satellite prototypes, with one scheduled to serve as an orbital demonstrator in 2026. The agreement also involves a $12 million (£9.94 million) investment in SpinLaunch from NanoAvionics’ parent company, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace.
The satellites to be developed will be approximately 70 kilograms in weight, making them lighter than current satellite communication platforms. These microsatellites will be designed to offer significant performance advantages per kilogram. The goal is to create a low-cost, reliable, high-speed broadband service primarily for global businesses and governments, rather than individual consumers.
SpinLaunch’s constellation will aim to provide at least two terabits per second of capacity for sale. This communication system, operating at an altitude of 830 kilometres, will be arranged in such a way that the satellites will pass over the same areas at regular intervals. This positioning strategy will allow ground equipment to track the satellites in only one dimension, reducing costs and enhancing efficiency.
NanoAvionics’ expertise in small satellite manufacturing makes the company well-suited for the project. According to David Wrenn, CEO of SpinLaunch, the collaboration will result in a highly differentiated satellite communication constellation that can meet the growing demand for reliable satellite broadband.
In related developments, the French-British-German satellite communication operator Eutelsat has been negotiating with the European Union to provide satellite communication services to Ukraine. Germany has also financed access to the Eutelsat satellite network for Ukraine, although the number of terminals available remains limited. However, plans are in place to significantly increase this number in the near future.
The growing importance of satellite internet services comes against the backdrop of global political uncertainty, particularly the unpredictable foreign policy of U.S. President Donald Trump and his ally, Elon Musk. The development of alternative satellite networks like Meridian Space offers a valuable opportunity to ensure continued connectivity for government and corporate clients around the world.
Breakdown of Contract Details:
| Contract Value | €122.5 million (£105.6 million) |
|---|---|
| Number of Satellites | 280 |
| Weight per Satellite | 70 kg |
| Total Data Capacity | 2 terabits per second |
| Operational Altitude | 830 km |
Project Timeline:
| Prototype Development | 2026 (Orbital Demonstrator) |
|---|---|
| Full Constellation Size | 1,200 satellites |
