Paris-based satellite operator Prométhée have instructed mission integrator NanoAvionics to construct its first nanosatellite, as the French start-up begins progress on its plans to build a constellation of nanosatellites for Earth observation.
ProtoMéthée-1 is planned for launch in low Earth orbit (LEO) towards the end of 2023, according to a company statement by Prométhée. The nanosatellite’s construction will be based on the 16U nanosatellite bus M16P previously built by NanoAvionics. The smallsat bus manufacturer – which currently has offices in the US, UK and Lithuania – will also provide full mission services for the nanosatellite including testing, launch, licensing, and initial satellite operations.
Prométhée, which raised €4.72 million in its latest fundraising round in April, hopes that data and images from its constellation will be useful in forest fire detection, water management and urban planning among other activities.
Prométhée’s first nanosatellite will be built based on NanoAvionics 16U Nanosatellite Bus, pictured above. Courtesy: NanoAvionics.
