NanoAvionics’ 6U satellite bus. (Photo: NanoAvionics)

Luxembourg-based satellite company OQ Technology selected Lithuania’s NanoAvionics to build, integrate, and operate a 6U nanosatellite for its upcoming constellation, OQ announced Monday.

This is the second satellite that NanoAvionics will build for OQ, which is developing a Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation to provide commercial 5G Internet of Things (IoT) and M2M services in Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Latin America using spectrum in the mid-band 5G (sub-6 GHz) frequency bands.

OQ said that NanoAvionics’ fast turnaround time will allow the company to launch this new satellite by the end of the year and start generating revenue. Last month, OQ contracted Spaceflight Inc. to provide launch and integration services for its first batch of six satellites.

“Without partners like NanoAvionics, achieving such a target within a short time frame will not be possible,” said OQ Technology CEO Omar Qaise. “To grow our constellation and provide global coverage we plan to add more nanosatellites soon.”

Specifically, OQ said it aims to quickly add another two missions to its constellation, followed by a batch of six satellites.

“Our nano- and microsats are ideal for IoT and Earth Observations with single, formation and constellation setups and our rapid integration accelerates the time to market applications for companies like OQ Technology,” said Vytens J. Buzas, CEO NanoAvionics.