SES targets 28 satellites with K2 Space for next-gen MEO network
SES, the Luxembourg‑based satellite operator, announced it has ordered an initial set of 28 high‑power satellites from K2 Space to build its next‑generation meoSphere communications network targeted to enter service by 2030. The company said the collaboration pairs SES’s software‑defined payloads with K2 Space’s satellite platforms, allowing tighter control of production and supply‑chain elements while compressing build timelines for the new medium Earth orbit constellation. SES plans to begin flying a sequence of MEO pathfinder missions in the next three years to validate hardware and operational concepts ahead of full deployment.
Operating at roughly 8,000 kilometres altitude in medium Earth orbit, the meoSphere design will use four inclined orbital planes with seven satellites each in its first phase to deliver continuous global coverage. Each satellite’s platform is engineered to generate about 20 kilowatts of on‑board power and support digital regenerative payloads that handle radios, processors, and antennas for broadband and network services. The architecture includes optical inter‑satellite links to enable direct space‑to‑space data relay and is compatible with 5G non‑terrestrial network standards to support lower latency and increased throughput. SES’s in‑house payload development, combined with K2’s high‑power bus, is intended to boost data capacity while reducing terminal complexity and cost for commercial and government customers.
The meoSphere initiative follows SES’s operational experience with its existing O3b mPOWER medium Earth orbit constellation, which provides broadband services via steerable spot beams and integrates with geostationary and LEO networks. By scaling meoSphere beyond the initial 28 satellites as market demand grows, SES aims to provide a flexible multi‑mission backbone for global communications, support sovereign network requirements, and extend satellite connectivity to mobile, defence, and enterprise applications. The program’s phased development and pathfinder missions reflect broader industry trends toward modular, multi‑orbit architectures that blend performance with resilience.
