Photo: Rivada Networks

German space company Rivada Space Networks issued a request for proposals to prime contractors interested in building 600 Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, the associated ground systems, and providing integration for its planned government and enterprise connectivity constellation  The company anticipates selecting a prime contractor for each of these needs, as well as a heavy-lift launch provider by the end of 2022.

Rivada Space Networks, which was established in March of this year, said it expects to start deploying satellites in 2024, with 300 satellites in orbit by mid-2026 and the full constellation deployed by mid-2028.

“Our constellation in combination with our patented Open Access Wireless Market Platform allows us to offer a network with unprecedented flexibility,” Rivada Space Networks Founder Declan Ganley said in a statement. “It will be instrumental in driving the next leg of the ongoing communications revolution. Having recently joined the ITU Partner2Connect digital inclusion initiative and the EU’s multi-stakeholder Secure Connectivity Program, we are committed to providing a secure communications infrastructure like no other for government and enterprise.”

Rivada’s constellation will be designed to offer access to a secure satellite network with pole-to-pole reach, as well as end-to-end latencies similar or better than terrestrial fiber. The network will use lasers to interconnect satellites and deliver a secure global data network for business operations in the telecom, enterprise, maritime, energy, and government services markets.

Severin Meister, Rivada’s CEO, said that his company has spent the past eight months completing the design of its satellite system and growing its teams in Munich and Berlin.

“With over 60 people today, we anticipate expanding further to over 100 people by the end of Q1 2023 and are on track to execute our vision of providing the first truly global point-to-point low latency connectivity network,” said Meister.