The satellites were deployed aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket as part of the Transporter-18 mission launched from California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base on 2 October. The spacecraft form part of Sateliot’s Draconis mission, which is designed to strengthen the company’s 5G non-terrestrial network (NTN) Internet of Things (IoT) services. The launch brings the total number of satellites deployed by Sateliot to 11 and marks the next stage in the commercial rollout of its satellite-based connectivity platform.
According to the company, the additional satellites will reduce revisit times and help to improve coverage in regions where terrestrial infrastructure is unavailable. Jaume Sanpera, CEO and co-founder of Sateliot, commented: “Our goal is to make satellite connectivity a natural extension of their networks wherever terrestrial coverage cannot reach and, on that same standardised and interoperable 5G infrastructure, evolve towards increasingly critical and resilient services.” “We are building a European telecommunications infrastructure based on proprietary technology and the 3GPP standard, with global ambitions.” The new spacecraft were built by Spanish satellite manufacturer Alén Space, which previously delivered four satellites for Sateliot in 2024. The company said the latest generation of 6U CubeSats was designed and manufactured in roughly half the time required for the previous mission, reflecting improvements in its production processes.
Each satellite weighs approximately 10kg, measures 20 x 10 x 35 centimetres, and is expected to remain operational for around five years. The satellites have upgraded onboard computing systems, attitude control technology, and memory systems – designed to improve performance and resilience in the radiation-heavy space environment. They also feature enhanced payloads and more efficient onboard data storage capabilities.
Operating at an altitude of 510 kilometres, the satellites act as telecommunications towers in space, extending the coverage of mobile network operators through wholesale agreements. This allows operators to offer IoT connectivity services in remote and rural locations that would otherwise remain outside of terrestrial networks. Exolaunch handled mission integration and logistics, while KSAT and Leaf Space will provide ground station capabilities.
Comfone supplies IPX connectivity services to securely connect Sateliot’s network and mobile operators. “This mission is another key step in our close collaboration with Sateliot and in the development of the European 5G NTN ecosystem,” said Guillermo Lamelas, CEO of Alén Space. “Seeing these five satellites reach orbit confirms our ability to take on increasingly complex challenges and deliver the quality and reliability required by the most demanding satellite missions.” Looking ahead, Sateliot said the five satellites are only one step in a much larger roadmap. The company plans to build a constellation of more than 500 satellites that will evolve through successive technological generations. From 2027, its Tritó platform is expected to introduce 5G NR NTN technology, enhanced security features, greater network capacity, and support for mission-critical communications using innovations based on 3GPP Release 19 standards.
The planned platform will also incorporate advanced phased-array multibeam antennas capable of dynamically generating and managing multiple coverage beams, helping improve network flexibility and performance. For the satellite sector, the launch highlights the industry’s shifting focus. As operators seek to integrate satellite connectivity more closely with standardised 5G networks, non-terrestrial infrastructure is being positioned as a complementary layer to terrestrial coverage.
Future satellite constellations may focus on expanding coverage while also delivering the reliability and capacity needed to support the next generation of connected services worldwide. RELATED STORIES State of the Sector: Satellite 5 questions that will define Capacity Europe 2026 Capacity Europe 2026 13 October 2026 The 25th anniversary edition of Capacity Europe 2025 will bring together 3,500+ decision-makers from the global connectivity and digital infrastructure community. Register now See event details Catie Owen Regional Content & Insights Lead