Nanosatellite mission integrator NanoAvionics has been contracted to integrate UK satellite communications provider Lacuna Space’s LoRa-based Space Gateway into its M6P nanosatellite bus.

The satellite will be launched on the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in the last quarter of this year.

NanoAvionics is also responsible for providing additional testing and launch services.

The two parties collaborated on the Lacuna Space technology demonstration mission earlier this year.

The satellite will be Lacuna Space’s fourth unit to be launched this year with the LoRa Internet of Things (IoT) Gateway. The first satellite of the year was launched in April.

Following the launch, Lacuna’s initial demonstration constellation will be complete.

The M6P-based satellite will join Lacuna Space’s IoT satellite constellation.

The mission is aimed at improving the payloads’ performance and then conduct tests with users to demonstrate the system. This will help confirm the pilot service’s performance.

NanoAvionics chief executive officer Vytenis J Buzas said: “The M6P nanosatellite bus is ideally suited for IoT communications.”

Lacuna has received part funding and support from the European Space Agency and UK Space Agency.

The company’s Lacuna Network will consist of a constellation of 32 nanosatellites in low-Earth orbit (LEO).

Lacuna Space chief executive officer Rob Spurret said: “Satellites in the Lacuna Network will receive data directly from inexpensive battery-powered LoRa IoT devices, even in the most remote parts of the world.”

The Lacuna Network will be able to provide widespread coverage for devices as the satellites travel in 500km polar orbits.