Mitsubishi Electric LEO Demo Mission to be Built on Terran Orbital Nebula Bus
Launch Date is Tentatively Set for 2029
The Mitsubishi Electric LEO Demo Mission, currently planned for 2029, will feature the Nebula platform developed by Terran Orbital. The company says the project, in collaboration with Mitsubishi Electric Corporation and Mitsubishi Electric US, represents a significant milestone in its ongoing efforts to advance low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellations.
“This project highlights our commitment to pushing the boundaries of space technology and delivering unmatched solutions for our clients.”
Peter Krauss, Terran Orbital
The satellite will be equipped with a Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) and Optical Terminal payload, provided by a Japanese team made up of members of the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), Mitsubishi Electric, and other Japanese partners. “This project highlights our commitment to pushing the boundaries of space technology and delivering unmatched solutions for our clients,” said Peter Krauss, CEO of Terran Orbital. “We look forward to the successful completion of this mission and the exciting opportunities it presents for the future.”
The project is set to have an 18-month delivery timeline from the Authorization to Proceed Agreement, with the bus delivery scheduled for 2027. The launch date is tentatively set for 2029.
Interesting collaboration bet ween Mitsubishi and Terran Orbital. The QKD payload is probably the most interesting part - quantum key distribution from LEO could change how secure comms work for critical infastructure. 2027 bus delivery with a 2029 launch feels pretty aggressive though, especially given how satellite schedules tend to slip. Curious if they're planning optical terminals for ground stations or inter-satellite links.