Lithuanian small-sat mission integrator and bus manufacturer Kongsberg NanoAvionics has received an order for three more satellites from Luxembourg 5G telecoms operator OQ Technology.

They will be added to OQ Technology’s existing constellation, turning the company into what it says is the largest 5G NB-IoT satellite operator in the world.

This is NanoAvionics’ fourth contract with OQ Technology, having previously supplied Tiger-2, Tiger-3 and MacSat missions. Through the collaboration with NanoAvionics, OQ was able to launch the world’s first commercial nanosatellite, Tiger-2 in 2021, that provided 5G coverage for IoT devices based on NB-IoT and a first expansion of its services with Tiger-3 in 2022.

OQ Technology will provide the 5G payload, which is based on standard 3GPP Rel 17 technology, and the OQ in-house developed cell tower stack, and will take care of launch, satellite operations, spectrum licensing, service and market access.

With the recent traction of direct-to-device cellular communication through satellite, OQ Technology says it is a pioneer in direct cellular IoT to satellite connectivity.

The three 6U nanosatellites, Tiger-4, Tiger-7 and Tiger-8, will be built at NanoAvionics’s new MAIT (manufacturing, assembly, integration and testing) facility in Vilnius, Lithuania. The facility was setup to meet the demands for serial satellite production for constellations and larger satellites by commercial, civil and governmental organisations.

As a standard requirement for constellations, the nanosatellites will be equipped with a propulsion system for constellation deployment, formation flying and deorbiting after the end of their lifecycle.

“These three nanosatellites will allow us to grow our constellation, expand our global coverage, and enter new markets,” said Omar Qaise, CEO of OQ Technology. “In addition to pioneering the 5G NB-IoT technology, it is through partners like NanoAvionics that we are years ahead of the competition in the 5G IoT non-terrestrial networks market.”

Vytenis Buzas, CEO of NanoAvionics, added: “This latest contract is testament to the great working relationship we have built with OQ Technology over the last few years. Our level of standardisation, automation and experience with communications mission permits us to supply customers like OQ technology in an efficient manner.”

Kongsberg NanoAvionics is a small-sat bus manufacturer and mission integrator based in four locations across the USA, UK and Lithuania. The company’s efforts are focused on enabling critical satellite functions and optimising hardware, launch and satellite operation costs by providing end-to-end small satellite options ranging from single missions to constellations. Its core engineering team has implemented over 120 satellite missions and commercial projects during the past several years.

OQ Technology operates a constellation of LEO satellites providing 5G coverage for IoT devices based on 3GPP standard cellular technology for NB-IoT. Its technology is available for mobile operators and users in industries such as energy, mining, logistics, maritime, agriculture and defence. The company’s patented technology can be used to connect existing cellular chips, allowing billions of users around the world to have ubiquitous IoT connectivity anywhere, using both terrestrial and satellite networks.