Spacecraft manufacturer Astranis has received a construction order from Apco Networks, a Mexican telecoms firm, for a pair of small communications satellites. The units, which weigh in at circa 400 kg and will use electric propulsion, will be operated in geostationary Earth orbit (GEO). Under a fast delivery to orbit schedule, they will be launched in 2024 although a rocket has not yet been identified. The Ka-band high-throughput satellites will be operated by Astranis on behalf of Apco, which will be able to wean itself away from having to lease satellite capacity.
Astranis illustration showing Apco satellite pair in GEO. Courtesy: Astranis
Comment by David Todd: The GEO market is splitting into large spacecraft and small ones, with little in between. While the large ones are used for high traffic, small satellites are used for regional applications where a large spacecraft, with multiple transponders, is simply not needed. Companies like Astranis have moved into what was initially a niche requirement for small regional satellites, where demand is now growing.
