Furthering the momentum that it has generated over the past two years, satellite telecommunications operator Sateliot has announced the successful launch of five new satellites for its 5G non-terrestrial network (NTN) internet of things (IoT) services platform as scheduled.
Founded in 2018, Sateliot deployed the “first low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation” in early 2024, with 5G standards for narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) satellite IoT with 100% global coverage, launching four satellites from SpaceX’s Transporter-11 mission. It has the ambition of complete deployment of its constellation in 2027/28, providing real-time coverage worldwide. Sateliot has already launched six satellites, and plans to launch five more in 2026.
Basing its offer on the 3GPP Release 17 standard, which standardises using satellites with cellular modems and antennas, Sateliot said it can support cellular-enabled IoT devices for thousands of clients in 50 countries around the world to connect directly to its satellite network when terrestrial cellular coverage is unavailable, achieving radio access technology (RAT) connectivity to non-terrestrial networks from a single SIM service.
It said this ensures customer devices can enjoy uninterrupted and reliable IoT connectivity across both terrestrial and satellite infrastructures, providing ultra-high-quality connectivity in the remotest environments.
As a result of the new mission, named Draconis, the Spanish operator said that it is now able to increase connection frequency and service capacity in areas without terrestrial mobile coverage. The deployment brings the total number of satellites launched since its foundation to 11, which the firm said advances the commercial deployment of a technology that has already been validated.
With the nominal initial status of all five units confirmed, Sateliot stressed that their incorporation into the constellation will both reduce the time between satellite passes and increase connection opportunities for devices. Specifically, they will double the average number of daily passes and cut revisit time in half.
In addition, the five new units incorporate technological improvements compared with the four satellites launched in 2024, including an optimised payload and “a more reliable and efficient onboard data storage system”. They also feature upgraded versions of the onboard central computer and attitude control system, providing greater stability and facilitating in-orbit manoeuvres, said the firm, as well as memory systems that are more resilient to space conditions, particularly radiation.
The five new units will orbit at an altitude of 510 km, incorporate the connectivity technology developed by Sateliot for its 5G NTN IoT network. Each satellite measures 20x10x35 centimetres, weighs 10kg and has an operational lifetime of five years. Alén Space was responsible for their manufacturing, while Exolaunch handled their integration with the launch vehicle.
The satellites will also form part of a single constellation of more than 500 satellites that will evolve through successive technological generations, from massive IoT to higher-capacity and mission-critical services, including D2D capabilities.
Commenting on the launch, Sateliot CEO and co-founder Jaume Sanpera noted that the Draconis mission was a strong reflection of where the company currently stood: “We have validated the technology and are now increasing capacity and service regularity to scale together with mobile operators.
“Our goal is to make satellite connectivity a natural extension of their networks wherever terrestrial coverage does not reach and, using this same standards-based and interoperable infrastructure, evolve towards increasingly critical and resilient services. We are building a European telecommunications infrastructure based on our own technology, built on the 3GPP standard and with a global ambition.”
The launch comes after Sateliot received in April 2026 Series C financing round valued at €100m. At the time, the company said the capital would be allocated mainly to the deployment of 16 satellites and that it was projecting revenues of €500m in 2027 and €1bn in 2030. It approached the capital increase with pre-contracts valued at €270m, with more than 400 clients in 60 countries, in addition to agreements with operators such as Telefónica and Deutsche Telekom.
Since its founding, Sateliot has raised nearly €100m, supported by a block of leading industrial, institutional and financial investors such as Indra, Cellnex, the Spanish Society for Technological Transformation, Sepides, Hyperion, Global Portfolio Investments and Banco Santander, as well as backing from the European Investment Bank.
