Anuvu constellation visualization of MicroGEO satellites with Telesat Lightspeed. Photo: Anuvu

Anuvu announced a deal with D-Orbit USA on Tuesday to study how a highly elliptical orbit (HEO) satellite network could bring additional capacity to the planned Anuvu Constellation. 

The Anuvu Constellation will include two MicroGEO satellites built by Astranis with six more to follow, and include capacity from Telesat Lightspeed in Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) when it is in service. This constellation will be dedicated to mobility customers in aviation and maritime. 

“With the Anuvu Constellation, we can add more capacity where it’s needed rapidly and with excellent economics. Adding HEO satellites to the Anuvu Constellation is a very exciting concept to offer LEO-like coverage and MEO-like performance, providing clients a tailored offering with an unlimited information rate,” commented Anuvu EVP of Connectivity Mike Pigott. 

D-Orbit USA is the U.S. subsidiary of Italian space logistics firm D-Orbit, led by CEO Mike Cassidy, former CEO of propulsion company Apollo Fusion. The joint venture was founded earlier this year in a bid to go after the U.S. market. 

“We are looking forward to this next phase of constellation design with Anuvu,” Cassidy commented. “Through our team’s expertise with designing thousands of satellites on orbit today, we believe our technology is a great fit for customers who need reliable, high-performance, low cost satellite constellations.”