Kepler Communications added two new satellites to its constellation on 28 September, the first of Kepler’s new GEN1 satellites. The two satellites, Kepler-4 and Kepler-5, were successfully launched via a Soyuz rocket at approximately 07:20EDT on 28 September. Once fully commissioned, these satellites will greatly increase the capacity of Kepler’s Global Data Services offering and expand Kepler’s narrowband availability, paving the way for early customer trials of Kepler’s EverywhereIoT service.
The satellites are the first of Kepler’s new GEN1 platform. Built entirely at Kepler’s production facility in Toronto, the GEN1 platform represents an evolution beyond Kepler’s pathfinder satellites, with an increase in size to a 6U-XL BUS. The increased size accommodates many technology enhancements, including additional power and antenna functionalities that allows the support of both Ku and narrowband spectrum from a single satellite. This multi-spectrum support is achieved with Kepler’s proprietary Software Defined Radio (SDR) which was proven onboard the three satellites already on orbit.
Kepler’s launch plans include an additional launch in 2020, currently scheduled for December, which will add additional GEN1 satellites to the Kepler constellation. As with today’s launch, these satellites will service the growing customer demand for Global Data Services and support EverywhereIoT demonstrations.
The launch was part of the Exolaunch Wanderlust mission, previously announced by Kepler on 18 August, and is the latest step in Kepler’s incremental approach to technology and commercial development as the company continues on its mission to build the internet in space.
