Eutelsat, the European geostationary satellite operator and member of the global FSS “Big Four”, has placed orders for four nanosatellites. These would join the planned Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Internet of Things (IoT) constellation called ELO. The orders have been placed with US company Loft Orbital and UK-based AAC Clyde Space, each set to provide two satellites.
The planned ELO constellation is expected to consist of 25 nanosatellites by the end of 2022. They are scheduled to reach orbit in 2020-2021 after the expected launch of the demo ELO unit early next year.