Revolutionizing IoT Beyond Earth | Challenges & Innovations in Satellite-Enabled IoT
Explore how Starlink, Swarm Tech, and startups reshape IoT via satellites in environmental, agricultural, logistical & disaster sectors.
Issue No 40. Subscribers 6624. Featuring insights from the founder and CEO of GorillaLink.
In the rapidly-evolving realm of technology, the intersection of space and the Internet of Things (IoT) is forging a new frontier. Cheaper launches are driving this transformation, making space-based IoT more accessible and practical in the most remote corners of our world. This shift, underscored by energy-saving phased arrays and new protocols, is enabling smaller devices to communicate directly via satellites.
The era of swarms and CubeSats is upon us, with powerhouses like Starlink and Swarm Technologies leading the pack. Fun fact: the latter had their FCC application being rejected due to concerns on tracking because of the very small size of the satellites (measuring at 0.25U). Nevertheless they were launched from India in January 2018, which led to a penalty of $900,000. They're shaping a broader ecosystem that enables space IoT for other market participants. Yet, even more transformative developments are on the horizon. As we extend our reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond, the prospect of IoT for objects deployed in space promises to spawn new markets, reshaping how we view and utilize space.
This journey, while promising, is not without challenges. For agile startups looking to make their mark in this field, navigating regulatory landscapes, overcoming technical hurdles, and distinguishing themselves in a market dominated by giants will be critical.
Exploring the Advancements and Challenges of Satellite-Enabled IoT: The Rise of CubeSats, Antenna Technologies, and Regulatory Factors
Space-enabled IoT refers to the use of satellites to enable two-way communication between IoT devices. While satellites have been used for communication for many decades (with the first communications satellite, Telstar, launched in 1962), the use of satellites specifically for IoT is a more recent development, spurred on by advancements in miniaturization and lower cost of satellite launch.Â
Not all forms of communication can be considered as part of the Internet. The term "Internet" specifically refers to the global network of networks that uses the Internet protocol suite (TCP/IP) to communicate, interconnecting computers and computer networks. The concept of "Internet of Things" extends this idea to include not just traditional computers and networks, but also a wide variety of devices and everyday objects that can communicate with each other and with larger systems. GPS (Global Positioning System, fully operational since 1993) is a system of satellites that provides geolocation and time information to various GPS receivers. It does not fit the common definition of an Internet of Things (IoT) system, because it doesn't involve the two-way communication and interconnection between devices that is typical of IoT. However, GPS is an essential enabling technology for many IoT applications, providing the geolocation data that many connected devices use to deliver their services.
The integration of space technology into IoT unfolds a wealth of benefits across sectors. The Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC), probably the first of its kind, leverages this technology since 2008 to provide timely information on natural disasters, enhancing response efficiency. The DMC satellites are notable for communicating with their ground stations using the Internet Protocol for payload data transfer and command and control, so extending the Internet into space, and allowing experiments with the Interplanetary Internet to be carried out.
A surge in satellite launches, fuelled by both governmental and commercial interests in space is probably the main factor why we witness the emergence of satellite-enabled IoT. An important trend accompanying this surge is the rise of CubeSats and SmallSats. These compact satellites have revolutionized the industry by making space more accessible and economical. Their reduced cost and ease of launch have made them particularly appealing for IoT applications. Swarm Technologies, founded in 2016, is a prominent example of a company utilizing this approach, deploying a network of tiny sandwich-sized SpaceBEE satellites to establish an affordable, worldwide IoT network. The company was acquired by SpaceX in 2021 (rough deal estimate is $85M).
A crucial enabler of this space-based IoT revolution is phased-array antenna and similar beamforming technologies. These are directivity-controllable antennas capable of electronically steering the antenna beam in various directions without mechanical rotation, thereby enabling faster, more energy - efficient communication between satellites and ground stations or IoT devices. One company leveraging this technology is Kymeta Corporation (raised over $416.8M, including the latest $84M round led by Bill Gates). It develops advanced, thin, flat, lightweight, software-steered satellite antennas, simplifying the connection between vehicles (land, sea, and air) and high-capacity communication satellites. Starlink antennas also rely on beamforming principles.
Two key players in this space, SpaceX's Starlink and Amazon's Project Kuiper, are influencing the IoT landscape. While they do not deploy IoT devices directly, they are working to provide the global broadband coverage that IoT connectivity heavily relies on, particularly in remote and underserved areas. Their low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellations aim to offer high-speed, low-latency internet service worldwide. As they provide the backbone for data transmission where terrestrial networks fall short, they significantly enable and extend the reach of IoT technologies.
One main obstacle facing space IoT is the need for a powerful energy source for IoT devices that keep on getting smaller, with a potential solution lying in hybrid stations. Progressions in beamforming technology synergistically align with the development of low-power, long-range communication protocols., long-range communication protocols, such as Semtech’s LoRa (NASDAQ: SMTC). Other drawbacks to be mentioned are latency and low data rate: while advancements are being made, especially with LEO satellites, the latency in satellite communication is generally higher than in terrestrial networks. If your IoT application involves transmitting large amounts of data, a high-speed cellular network (like 5G) or broadband satellite connection might be needed. However, for applications that only require transmitting small amounts of data (like sensor readings), a lower-bandwidth, satellite Internet connection could potentially be less expensive.
Regulatory factors, such as traffic management for satellite constellations, allocation of the communication spectrum, and rules concerning space debris, also need further refinement.Â
Nevertheless, on this front governments globally are investing in space-based IoT, recognizing its immense potential. A prime example is the European Space Agency's SATis5 project, which aims to test IoT devices' connectivity in a 5G network environment using a geostationary satellite.Â
Space-Based IoT applications: Unlocking Remote Connectivity for Environmental Monitoring, Agriculture, Logistics & Disaster Management
While ground-based IoT continues to thrive in populated environments due to lower costs and latency, space-enabled IoT becomes a compelling option where the deployment of terrestrial networks is impractical or overly expensive. Unlike terrestrial networks that can leave remote or rural areas without connectivity, satellite networks can cover virtually every part of the Earth. Satellites are not affected by terrestrial disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, or flooding. This makes satellite networks extremely reliable for critical communication needs. Swarms of thousands of small satellites can be easily scaled up to improve service and coverage.Â
The ability to collect and transmit data in real-time (or near-real-time) from any location on the Earth can provide valuable insights for many applications such as:
Environmental Monitoring: Satellites can collect data from IoT sensors located in remote locations (oceans, polar regions, forests) to monitor climate change, wildlife migration, deforestation, and more. In a remote learning project, EduClima partnered with Hiber to install IoT devices in schools throughout Peru. These devices measure temperature, humidity, and air pressure, enabling students to understand and analyze weather patterns. Here, Space Tech-Enabled IoT not only provided hands-on education for students in remote areas but also contributed to a broader dataset for understanding climate change. This was possible due to Hiber's nano-satellites enabling reliable, cost-effective IoT connectivity in remote locations. Saildrone which deploys unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) to collect ocean data for climate studies and fish stock analysis, is another good example. Their USVs use Iridium's satellite communications to transmit collected data from anywhere in the world's oceans. This allows for unprecedented access to real-time ocean data, enabling better climate modeling and sustainable management of marine resources.
Agriculture: Satellite-enabled IoT can help farmers monitor crop health, soil moisture, and weather conditions in real-time, helping improve yield and reduce waste. For example, Myriota partnered with Davey Water Products to develop a remote water monitoring solution for farmers in Australia. Myriota's IoT solution helped farmers keep track of water levels in their storage tanks, a task which was previously challenging due to the vastness of Australian farms. This solution helped farmers improve water usage and conservation, a vital task in drought-prone regions. Myriota raised $32.1M in total, including the latest $28M Series B round in 2020. In a similar use case, Virridy (former SweetSense), a provider of low-cost remote monitoring solutions, teamed up with Swarm Technologies to monitor groundwater levels in rural areas of Kenya. Virridy's IoT sensors, combined with Swarm's low-cost satellite connectivity, enable continuous monitoring of groundwater levels. This information is critical to manage water resources effectively in these areas where water scarcity is a major issue.
Logistics and Asset Tracking: Satellites can provide global tracking of assets, such as shipping containers or vehicles, even in areas without cellular coverage. Santos, an Australian energy company, utilizes Hiber's IoT solution to monitor and manage infrastructure in remote and offshore locations. The data gathered helps Santos in predictive maintenance, leading to improved operational efficiency and safety.
Disaster Management: Satellites can relay data from IoT sensors in disaster-prone or affected areas to aid in early warning, response, and recovery. The Disaster Monitoring Constellation mentioned above is a great representative of a successful project.
Pioneers of Satellite-Enabled IoT: Iridium, SPOT Trace, Lacuna Space, and Beyond
The roster of companies pioneering satellite-enabled IoT is extensive, reflecting the diverse array of solutions being developed across this sphere. The ones previously mentioned in this article constitute just a fraction of the innovators in this burgeoning domain, and numerous other players are also making significant strides in this field.
Iridium Communications (NASDAQ: IRDM) is a standout entity, operating an exceptional satellite constellation that offers voice and data coverage to satellite phones, pagers, and integrated transceivers across the Earth's surface. Unique in its scope, the Iridium network blankets the entire globe, including poles, oceans, and airways, thus providing unparalleled coverage.
The SPOT Trace Anti-Theft Tracking Device presents another compelling case of satellite-enabled IoT, using this technology to track and communicate the location of assets like boats, cars, and other valuables. Its operation is truly global, proving effective even in remote areas where cellular coverage is notoriously poor.
In the realm of startups, Lacuna Space is making a name for itself by utilizing LoRa technology to connect IoT devices via satellite in remote locations. Their groundbreaking approach was demonstrated in 2019 when they launched their first LoRa-based test satellite.
Another startup, Hiber, launched its first two nanosatellites in 2018, with a specific focus on providing IoT connectivity in remote and undeveloped regions of the world (raised over $17.3M to date). The modems attached to IoT devices transmit signals to Hiber's satellites, which are then relayed back to ground stations.
Fleet Space Technologies, an Australian startup, harbors the ambitious vision of connecting everything, everywhere using a global constellation of nano-satellites. Their novel technology is tailored to enable affordable IoT connectivity in distant areas.
NanoAvionics, a nano-satellite bus manufacturer and mission integrator, is concurrently developing a constellation of nano-satellites dedicated to IoT connectivity. Their work highlights the manufacturing side of this industry.
Kepler Communications, a Canadian enterprise, is deploying a network of small satellites with the aim of constructing an in-space telecommunications network. Their connectivity solutions cater to a broad spectrum of IoT applications. Kepler has raised $92 Million USD in a recent Series C round.Â
Helios Wire aims to create a space-enabled IoT network through a constellation of satellites, offering applications such as asset tracking and monitoring.Â
Lastly, Skylo Technologies is working to connect the world's machines affordably through satellite networks, paving the way for IoT devices in remote areas to transmit and receive data.
These examples underscore the vast landscape of innovation and potential in the sphere of satellite-enabled IoT, as numerous players - from startups to established corporations - strive to push the boundaries of this technology.
Emerging Tech and Startups in Space-Based IoT: The Role of Cybersecurity, Regulation, and Mega-Constellations
Cheaper, more accessible launches make space-based IoT a compelling option. Energy-saving phased arrays and new protocols enable smaller devices to establish satellite connections. Satellite swarms led by Starlink and Kuiper herald a future where connectivity is no longer a luxury but a given.Â
Amid this tech evolution, it's important to remember that a vibrant market thrives on diversity. While major telecom corporations dominate the landscape, startups provide the innovation and agility necessary to keep the industry dynamic and responsive. For example, GorillaLink, a SatCom start-up that is introducing an advanced technology that brings a 100% secure means to transmit critical data to the cloud via satcom & IoT.
According to Co-Founder & CEO Nadav Nachshon:
«The company is now announcing the launch of the GorillaLink iPDU
 - a first of its kind Powered Distribution Unit that allows any kind of operator to control the connectivity of any kind of equipment in remote locations where there is a lack of connectivity or no connectivity at all.»
According to Nachshon, a good example is the full control over a camera that is connected to the GorillaLink iPDU by a remote operator that relies on a satellite communications network. Â
Nachshon explains:
« Once connected, the operator will immediately gain full connectivity anytime, anywhere even if there is no cellular communications whatsoever at that specific location.
This is essentially the future of connectivity.»
However, the expansion of IoT devices into space underscores the need for robust cybersecurity measures. With IoT devices becoming an integral part of critical infrastructure, ensuring the security and integrity of these networks is paramount. The regulatory landscape also needs to adapt to these changes, addressing issues ranging from satellite traffic management to spectrum allocation.Â
The future of IoT in space technology holds immense promise. The emergence of satellite mega-constellations, such as SpaceX's Starlink and Amazon's Project Kuiper, could provide comprehensive global coverage, guaranteeing reliable connectivity for IoT devices everywhere. However, the most exciting prospects lie in the realm of space-deployed IoT. Unmanned IoT-enabled objects in orbit are on the horizon, with potential applications ranging from scientific research to space debris cleanup. With NASA awarding Nokia the contract to build the first 4G LTE network on the moon, IoT networks are poised to expand to other extraterrestrial bodies, paving the way for space exploration and colonization. As we advance into the cosmos, we'll witness the birth of new markets revolving around the Moon, Mars, and orbital factories.
If your startup leverages satellite IoT, we'd love to hear from you. Please reach out to us at hello@spaceambition.org.
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