Constell'Actions July 2024

Accueil > Newsletter > Constell'Actions July 2024

Constell'Actions n°11

July 2024

SUMMARY

KINÉIS CONSTELL’ACTIONS

Many of you were receiving Kinéis Constell'Actions, the monthly newsletter devoted to progress on deployment of the Kinéis connectivity system for the Internet of Things (IoT). Launched in July 2023, it has kept you informed at every stage, from the space segment to the ground segment. After the success of the 1st launch, and even if the 4 others will mobilise the Kinéis teams, you will very soon find a new newsletter which will keep you informed of our concretization phase and corporate news. In this latest issue of Constell'Actions, we take a look back at the highlights of the event held on 20 June. We were delighted to share with you the behind-the-scenes story of this unique adventure. Welcome on board, enjoy your reading and see you soon!

SUCCESS FOR THE 1ST KINEIS LAUNCH: ROCKET LAB SUCCESSFULLY PLACES THE FIRST 5 NANOSATELLITES IN THE CONSTELLATION INTO ORBIT

no-time-toulouse---rocket-labs-50th-electron-launch_53805154155_o

Take-off of the "No Time Toulouse" mission on 20 June 2024 at 20:13 (Paris time)

On 20 June 2024, the day of the summer solstice, Rocket Lab's Electron rocket successfully completed its 50th mission after launch from New Zealand, putting into orbit the first 5 of the 25 satellites in the Kinéis constellation, Europe's 1st constellation dedicated to the Internet of Things (IoT).

The "No Time Toulouse" mission lifted off from Rocket Lab's launch complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand, at 8.13pm (Paris time), successfully deploying five satellites weighing 28kg each into a low circular orbit at 635km. This mission was the first of five Electron launches dedicated to Kineis.

Back to summary

FOR ITS 1ST LAUNCH, KINEIS IS PRODUCING A LIVE BROADCAST ON YOUTUBE

Alexandre Tisserant, CEO of Kinéis, and Christine Bouillot, the evening's master of ceremonies

For this launch, the first in the deployment of its constellation, Kinéis pulled off the feat of producing a 2-hour live broadcast of the launch from New Zealand. Originally scheduled for 18 June at the Cité de l'Espace in Toulouse, the broadcast took place at CLS.

A total of 250 people attended this high-quality broadcast, hosted by journalist Christine Bouillot. The programme included talks by Alexandre Tisserant, CEO of Kinéis, a duplex with the CNES control centre in Toulouse where the integrated teams operate the satellites, a duplex with the teams in New Zealand, and a round table discussion on "Kinéis on the challenges of the French New Space" (with the participation of CNES, Hemeria and Thales Alenia Space). The public and Internet users were also able to follow discussions with CLS on the Kinéis mission and the uses of the constellation. In particular, CLS illustrated the transformation that the new Kinéis technology will bring to its historical applications, notably for fishing and science. Last but not least, the highlight of the event was the broadcast of the launch.

Michel Sarthou, Kinéis Technical Director, and Olivier Dumond, Kinéis Project Manager at CNES, from CNES

The evening was rich in emotion and tinged with an enthusiasm rarely seen in the French space industry. The delighted guests left the evening with the feeling of having experienced an exceptional moment.

The Kinéis teams following the success of the 1st launch

Relive the broadcast: https://www.youtube.com/live/lekRGP0nUDc?si=coJ-OilTXv_7NqkM

Back to summary

THE KINEIS-CNES TEAMS ENSURED THE POST-SEPARATION OPERATIONAL PHASE OF THE 5 SATELLITES WITH ELECTRON

Rocket Lab's Electron microlancer injected the first 5 nanosatellites perfectly into the target orbit for positioning. The sequence proceeded nominally, with contact with the 5 satellites established overnight. Their configuration was carried out as planned by the integrated Kinéis-CNES teams responsible for their positioning from the constellation control centre at the CNES space centre in Toulouse.

This first phase of the satellite's life is an assessment phase to locate the 5 satellites precisely in the sky, to check that they are in good health, that their equipment is working properly, that their on-board temperature is regulated and that their batteries are fully charged.

These Launch Early Operations Phase (LEOP) operations also demonstrated the technical reliability of the ground segment of the Kinéis system, comprising a control centre, a mission centre and a network of 20 ground stations deployed around the world and operated by Kinéis teams. This ground system was used for the first time in operation and functioned in its entirety, with all activities running smoothly.

The integrated Kinéis-CNES teams were well-prepared beforehand, particularly during the dress rehearsals for the LEOP phase, and demonstrated excellent coordination and organisation during the operational sequences.

Back to summary

2ND BATCH OF SATELLITES IN PRODUCTION AT HEMERIA

Clean room for the production of Kinéis nanosatellites at Hemeria - Photo credit: Kinéis2024

The 2nd batch of 5 nanosatellites (batch 2) is currently being produced at Hemeria in Toulouse. Their industrialisation follows the same logic as the previous batch: mechanical integration, functional tests on the health of the satellite equipment, integration of the solar panels with deployment tests, weighing of the nanosatellites and measurement of their centre of gravity, magnetic tests, mechanical tests, final and functional tests on the health of the satellite.

Batch 2 will leave for New Zealand this summer. The 5 nanosatellites will then be taken over by the Kinéis and Hemeria teams at Mahia to be prepared and put into optimum configuration for launch.

Read previous Newsletter