Hon Hai signs a low-orbit satellite launch contract with EXOLAUNCH and will launch two satellites with the help of SpaceX Falcon 9.
CTOnews.com Foxconn officially announced today that it has signed a launch service agreement with Exolaunch to provide mission management, orbital hardware deployment and related services for Hon Hai's first low-Earth orbit satellites.
Zhao Yuanhan, Director of Hon Hai Technology Group's B5G Policy Group, said,"In B5G and the new space age, the launch of LEO satellites will become more cost competitive and convenient. Hon Hai's first PEARL satellite program aims to demonstrate that we can meet the needs of critical components, subsystems and assembly integration testing in the face of innovation and growth in the new space industry. "
According to reports, the group's two satellites, code-named PEARL-1H and PEARL-1C, are scheduled to be launched with SpaceX Falcon 9's Transporter-9 mission no earlier than November this year.
CTOnews.com query found that Exolaunch GmbH is a German launch services, mission management and deployment systems provider headquartered in Berlin, Germany. The company's primary focus is on the deployment of small satellites, ranging from cubesats to nanosatellites, and has previously deployed more than 320 satellites.
At the beginning of this year, it was reported that the first "Hon Hai Made" low-orbit satellite "Pearl"(PEARL)"is expected to be launched this year. Its components are all produced by Hon Hai Group subsidiaries, involving its Taiyang, Jianhan, Yisheng-KY, etc.
It is said that the components used in the satellite are all produced by subsidiaries of Hon Hai Group. Hon Hai's low-orbit satellite strategy focuses on Internet of Vehicles + B5G, and advances to smart city-related applications such as autonomous vehicles.
Pearl will build a 6U experimental cube satellite, including OBC satellite computer, ADCS attitude control system, Ku and Ka band array antenna communication payload, camera module, satellite module, etc. It is expected to be launched sometime this year after passing the review.
