Apogeo Space Signs Multi-Launch Agreement With INNOSPACE for IoT Constellation

Apogeo Space, an Italian Small Medium Enterprise focused on R&D activities in the space sector, particularly in nanosatellites and cubesats, has announced a strategic collaboration with INNOSPACE, a South Korean company dedicated to developing efficient small satellite launchers.

A technician working on one of Apogeo Space's Picosats. Credits: Apogeo Space — *A technician working on one of Apogeo Space’s Picosats. Credits: Apogeo Space*

The partnership between these two entities hopes to mark a significant milestone for realm of telecommunications for the Internet of Things (IoT).

Apogeo Space is committed to establishing Italy’s first private constellation of satellites tailored to provide telecommunication services for IoT devices.

Meanwhile, INNOSPACE is pioneering the development of innovative small satellite launchers, utilizing hybrid propulsion technology for cost-efficient and rapid deployment.

The agreement

This collaboration entails the management of multiple launches, starting from the second half of 2025, with the aim of deploying picosatellites into Low Earth Orbit (LEO). These picosatellites will populate the first Italian private constellation dedicated to IoT, offering global connectivity and reliable coverage for IoT devices worldwide.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with such an innovative company as Innospace. This agreement is of great importance as it guarantees the expansion of our partner base, allowing us to complete our picosatellite constellation for IoT by 2027,” said Guido Parissenti, CEO and Co-Founder of Apogeo Space.

In fact, Apogeo’s plans entail, on average, three to four launches per year, each comprising nine satellites measuring only 10x10x3 cm. This aims to establish the constellation, operational by late 2024 and completed by 2027, with 96 active picosatellites in orbit.

The launch of the initial nine test satellites occurred in November 2023, on board a SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket. Notably, the satellites were deployed thanks to the Orbital Transfer Vehicle (OTV) of the Italian company D-Orbit. The next launch is scheduled for July 2024.

A shot from INNOSPACE's first Test Launch Vehicle HANBIT-TLV from from the Alcântara Space Center, Brazil, on March 21, 2024. Credits: INNOSPACE — *A shot from INNOSPACE’s first Test Launch Vehicle HANBIT-TLV from from the Alcântara Space Center, Brazil, on March 21, 2024. Credits: INNOSPACE*

“We are delighted to announce this multi-launch agreement with Apogeo Space and are proud to undertake the three space missions for the deployment of the IoT picosatellite constellation,” said Soojong Kim, CEO and Founder of INNOSPACE in a sstatement, “our small satellite launch vehicle, HANBIT, will provide reliable launches to aid in the constellation’s construction.”

A growing constellation for a growing market

Clearly, this project could reinforce Italy’s role in telecommunications constellations, specifically those composed of picosatellites or nanosatellites.

Indeed, those satellites are capable of offering a wide range of advanced services. These services include data collection for various applications, ranging from agri-tech to integrated logistics, forestry and glacier monitoring, Oil & Gas, large hydrogeological basins, and network and infrastructure monitoring.

To sum up the status of these sectors, the April 2024 Insight Report by the World Economic Forum, in partnership with McKinsey & Company, suggests that data from IoT sensors, even in remote areas, will significantly benefit advanced services for supply chains, energy, agriculture, mining, and aerospace, generating an additional revenue of $3 billion by 2035.

Last but not least, German research institute Statista estimates approximately 30 billion connected IoT devices worldwide by 2030, with a steady annual growth of 2 billion devices until then.