The review was conducted by GomSpace, the company building Kleos' satellites, and involved the critical assessing of the following components:
- Interface control documentation;
- Radio frequency (RF) subsystems;
- Budgets;
- Verification planning;
- Acceptance test plans and criteria;
- RF test procedures, downlink test plans;
- Geolocation payload verification;
- End-to-end test procedures; and
- Hardware availability.
The successful review confirmed that the hardware is "on track" for the initial Scouting Mission satellites to be launched on a Rocket Lab Electron rocket from New Zealand by the end of the second quarter of 2019.
The satellites will be integrated into Rocket Lab's bespoke Maxwell dispensers for low orbit deployment following a final acceptance review, due by May.
“Kleos continues to achieve important milestones on schedule and in line with our plans. GomSpace’s nanosatellite expertise has met and exceeded our expectations. We are focused on completing the final acceptance of the satellites on schedule,” said Andy Bowyer, CEO of Kleos Space.
“Kleos will be on the path to commercialisation with the launch of our Scouting Mission satellites, generating revenue following the successful collection of data. Our Scouting Mission satellites will provide daily intelligence geolocation data-as-a-service (DaaS) while our larger constellation will provide near-real time updates.”
The Scouting Mission system involves multi-satellites and will "form the foundation of a constellation that delivers a global picture of hidden maritime activity, enhancing the intelligence capability of government and commercial entities when AIS (automatic identification system) is defeated, imagery unclear and targets out of patrol range".
The independent, activity-based intelligence, geolocation DaaS will enable governments to detect and locate activity such as drug and people smuggling, illegal fishing and piracy, and identify those needing search and rescue at sea.
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