CanarySat Attracts €500,000 Investment to Enhance Satellite Operations

The company CanarySat Satellite Services S.A., which is spearheading a satellite constellation project in collaboration with Arquimea, has successfully raised over €500,000 in a recent capital increase. This financial boost elevates the company’s share capital from €64,000 to €624,000 and introduces significant structural changes, including the addition of new partners and the formation of a board of directors.

Transformative Structural Changes

One of the most significant developments accompanying this capital increase is the shift from a sole ownership structure. Previously, CanarySat was entirely owned by a single shareholder. The new investment allows for the inclusion of additional investors and the issuance of “Class B” shares, which differentiate between founding members and new stakeholders. This approach is often utilized in technology and industrial sectors, enabling the company to retain strategic control while also attracting necessary external funding for future growth.

Moreover, CanarySat has updated its corporate objectives to include activities related to satellite communication systems, Earth observation, and the development of space infrastructure.

Upcoming Projects and Infrastructure Development

A key initiative linked to the satellite constellation’s launch is the establishment of a teleport and satellite control center in Tenerife. This facility will connect to the international network being developed by Arquimea and BeetleSat, the creators behind CanarySat.

BeetleSat’s Journey and Technological Innovations

Understanding the role of CanarySat requires a look at BeetleSat’s history. Originally founded as NSLComm in Israel, BeetleSat specializes in high-gain deployable antennas designed for small satellites. Their technology, validated in orbit in 2019, significantly enhances data transmission capacity in the Ka-band while minimizing the weight and size of satellite platforms.

The company has ambitious plans to establish a global constellation of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites that will provide comprehensive coverage and inter-satellite connectivity. Each satellite will act as a node in a digital mesh, facilitating high-speed data transfer across continents.

In 2021, BeetleSat entered into a strategic partnership with the Spanish firm Arquimea, which is based in Madrid and has a strong presence in the Tenerife Technological Park (ITER). Arquimea, with its extensive experience in engineering, defense, energy, and health sectors, collaborates with the European Space Agency (ESA) to contribute to the manufacturing and assembly of part of the satellite constellation in Europe.

This partnership has positioned the Canary Islands as an ideal location for the terrestrial segment of the satellite system, leveraging its strategic geographical position between Africa, Europe, and America, as well as its favorable tax regime.

Establishment and Role of CanarySat

Founded in 2023 and headquartered in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, CanarySat’s primary function is to manage the terrestrial segment of the satellite constellation. This includes overseeing control centers, antennas, data gateways, and related communication services. The operational headquarters is linked to the Institute of Technological and Renewable Energies (ITER) and operates under the oversight of the Tenerife Cabildo.

Plans are underway to construct a teleport that will connect to Canalink’s fiber-optic network, a neutral operator owned by the Cabildo. This teleport will serve as the critical link between the satellite constellation and terrestrial networks, facilitating the reception and transmission of signals. It will also monitor orbital operations and distribute data to clients and technological partners. This infrastructure, still in development, is expected to become a central hub for managing satellite traffic in the Atlantic region.

The total investment for the entire satellite project is estimated at around €300 million, with a significant portion allocated to the satellite fleet and the associated communications network.

Future Prospects for the Satellite Constellation

The BeetleSat constellation, with CanarySat as its operational ground segment, aims to deploy over 200 satellites across 12 orbital planes at approximately 800 kilometers altitude. These satellites will feature large aperture deployable antennas, ensuring global coverage in the Ka-band. Their applications will encompass high-speed connectivity, mobile communications, government services, and monitoring capabilities.

BeetleSat has already reached several technological milestones, including the successful validation of its antennas and the integration of testing stations.

Key points

• CanarySat Satellite Services S.A. has raised over €500,000, increasing its share capital to €624,000.
• The company has transitioned from sole ownership to include new investors and Class B shares.
• A teleport and satellite control center will be established in Tenerife as part of the satellite constellation project.
• BeetleSat, originally NSLComm, specializes in high-gain deployable antennas for small satellites.
• The total investment for the satellite project is estimated at around €300 million.
• The BeetleSat constellation will consist of over 200 satellites in Low Earth Orbit.
• CanarySat will manage the terrestrial segment, including control centers and data gateways.