Lithuanian smallsat manufacturer NanoAvionics – now known as Kongsberg NanoAvionics – has been awarded satellite contracts from two French companies.
ONERA
On 30 November 2022 ONERA ordered two CubeSats from Kongsberg NanoAvionics, the first 8U and the other 6U. These satellites to be known as FlyLab-1 and -2 are expected to be delivered ready for launch in 2025. Each CubeSat will carry different payloads for in-orbit validation as well as a propulsion system.
The larger FlyLab-1 will host two optical payloads. The first is an “uncooled megapixel thermal camera” occupying 1.5U volume, developed by industrial partners. The other is another camera operating in the visible spectrum, 1U volume. This CubeSat will reportedly also be equipped with electric propulsion.
FlyLab-2 will host ONERA-developed payloads. One is a VHF antenna equipped with a software defined radio card (SDR), the other is an L-band antenna for radar analysis. This unit will host a “hybrid chemical-cold gas” system.
Absolut Sensing
Based in Grenoble, France, Absolut Sensing has selected NanoAvionics to build its demonstration satellite. The contract signed on 7 December 2022 tasks NanoAvionics with supplying a 16U CubeSat to carry a hyperspectral imager. The mission is expected to be ready for launch in early 2024. NanoAvionics is also expected to provide spacecraft operations services as part of the contract.
