Kepler decides to build its 140-satellite cubesat constellation in-house

Kepler Communications has decided to manufacture its cubesat satellite constellation in-house.

The company said Jan. 28 it will build its constellation of 140 cubesats in a 5,000-square-foot facility it commissioned late last year at its Toronto headquarters.

Kepler CEO Mina Mitry said the company made that decision after an “exhaustive analysis” of the supply chain for smallsats, concluding that the industry has “a significant challenge ahead in maturing the supply chain” for smallsat components.

Mitry told SpaceNews that Kepler considered around 10 different smallsat manufacturers before deciding to build its satellites in-house.

Kepler decides to build its 140-satellite cubesat constellation in-house article