Montreal based NorthStar Earth & Space is one step closer in being able to operate its planned Skylark constellation after receiving approval in principle for its spectrum.
Approval by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) of its radio frequency spectrum license was a critical step for its planned space situational awareness constellation of 52 satellites.
Stewart Bain, CEO of NorthStar Earth & Space said “as NorthStar is advancing towards the launch of its first three Skylark satellites, this authorization from ISED to operate NorthStar’s planned 52-satellite constellation with the radio-frequency spectrum that we’ll need is an important milestone.”
NorthStar stated that “ISED has authorized use for all NorthStar requested Ka-band and X-band radio-frequency ranges.” This will allow the company to offer satellite imagery “from multiple sensor types.”
To date the company has said it has raised $86 million towards the building of its constellation. The company had also previously announced that Thales Alenia Space would build the first three satellites which are scheduled to launch sometime in 2022. The satellite bus will be provided by LeoStella, a joint venture between Thales Alenia Space and Spaceflight Industries. That bus is based on the design LeoStella developed for the BlackSky Constellation.
A further nine satellites will be built in the initial phase of the constellation with a planned launch in 2024 for those satellite. Funding permitted, NorthStar then hopes to expand the constellation by another 40 satellites.