Munich/Radolfzell, 4 May 2026 – With the successful launch of the RAVEN microsatellite, ICARUS 2.0, an international research project aimed at observing animals globally from space, has reached a crucial milestone. The satellite was launched aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, deployed via Germany’s launch integrator Exolaunch, and marks the beginning of a new, independent European-led space infrastructure for the so-called ‘Internet of Animals’. The project is being spearheaded by the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior in collaboration with its technology partner TALOS and other partners. This opens up new possibilities for the global monitoring of animal movements, biodiversity, agriculture and environmental changes.

ICARUS 2.0 builds on the original ICARUS system, which paved the way for satellite-based research into animal movements worldwide. The first system was developed with the support of the German Space Agency at DLR and was operated at the time on the International Space Station (ISS) in collaboration with the Russian space agency Roscosmos. After the original ICARUS system was discontinued as a result of Russia’s war against Ukraine, the Max Planck Society and the German NewSpace company TALOS teamed up to develop the next generation of the system.

An important intermediate step along this path was the successful precursor mission “ICARUS goes LEO”, conducted aboard the GENA-OT satellite of the University of the Bundeswehr Munich, launched in November 2025. The University of the Bundeswehr Munich has supported the ICARUS initiative from its very beginning. With its SPACE research centre, it hosts the Bundeswehr’s central hub for space research and also acts as a strategic driver of innovation for dual-use technologies, translating scientific insights into application-oriented and technologically sovereign space solutions in close collaboration with startups, industry partners, and space institutions.

TALOS and the Max Planck Society are planning ICARUS 2.0 as an independent constellation consisting of at least five small satellites in low Earth orbit, which will deliver up to five updates per day on the tagged animals. As a result, data collection will become more robust, frequent and independent in future, as the satellites will enable significantly greater temporal coverage and data can be collected continuously.

The scientific mission is led by the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, which has been setting standards in satellite-based animal monitoring for years through the ICARUS project. As a technology partner, TALOS plays a central role in establishing the constellation, designing the mission, managing its operational activities and further developing the tracking technology. Building on this foundation, TALOS is increasingly translating the technology into marketable applications. The result is a tool that, in addition to global environmental and biodiversity research, opens up new and long-needed opportunities for commercial applications – such as in global agriculture and for tracking livestock in remote regions.

“With RAVEN, we are launching our own infrastructure for ICARUS 2.0 into space for the first time – and with it, a new generation of space-based animal and environmental monitoring,” says Gregor Langer, Co-founder and CEO of TALOS. “The successful launch of the first operational satellite demonstrates that Europe is capable of establishing and operating an independent and high-performance satellite infrastructure for global scientific missions within just a few years. This independence is key to maintaining long-term, reliable access to data while preserving technological and operational sovereignty.”

The launch also marks a breakthrough in scientific terms. “ICARUS 2.0 opens up new possibilities for us to record animal behavior and environmental changes with a level of quality and continuity that was previously unattainable for research and nature conservation,” emphasizes Martin Wikelski, Director at the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior. “It is precisely the global and regular availability of the data that represents a decisive step forward for research – for instance, to better understand migration, biodiversity, disease outbreaks, natural disasters and ecological changes on a global scale.”

The project is supported by a strong network of partners. As the manufacturer of the satellite platform, EnduroSat is making a significant contribution to the development of the first satellite and is supporting the deployment of the constellation as an industrial partner. The company’s extensive flight heritage and end-to-end space services accelerate, de-risk and eliminate complexity in the deployment of space infrastructure. The German Space Agency at DLR on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space is overseeing the further development of the ICARUS system as a key funding and support partner, thereby helping to facilitate the transition from a scientific mission to a long-term infrastructure that can also be used by public institutions.

The National Geographic Society is also instrumental in supporting the mission: It provides additional support to RAVEN, thereby enhancing the mission’s international visibility and reach. At the same time, the ICARUS technology is to be made available to an international community of researchers and conservation projects via the National Geographic Society’s global Explorer network.

The launch of RAVEN marks the start of the development of a dedicated infrastructure for ICARUS 2.0. Over the coming months and years, the system will be gradually expanded to become a space infrastructure that can be used for both scientific and commercial purposes in the fields of wildlife observation, environmental monitoring and data-driven applications.

About ICARUS: 

ICARUS (International Cooperation for Animal Research Using Space) is a space-based system initiated by Martin Wikelski. The system enables the continuous global tracking of animals, surpassing traditional methods such as bird ring marking. While the original system, which consisted of an on-board computer and an antenna attached to the International Space Station (ISS), was discontinued in March 2022, the new system will operate independently through its own satellite fleet. It will provide 3D tracking of animal migrations across all continents in near real-time. The initiative aims to democratize access to tracking technology for the global scientific community, allowing smaller research organizations to participate in cutting-edge conservation efforts. The objective is to develop this global biodiversity IoT system into an open-source and participatory project for all nations. A 3D rendering of real animal movement data can be viewed here. 

About TALOS 

TALOS is a Munich- and Dresden-based NewSpace startup and a leading innovator in IoT and animal tracking technologies. Founded in 2022, the company is at the forefront of harnessing space technology to advance wildlife conservation, environmental and climate change research. Its lightweight, solar-powered IoT trackers and CubeSat constellation will provide precise animal tracking and environmental data collection, enabling researchers, conservationists, and scientists to better understand and protect the natural world.  

About Max Planck Society 

The Max Planck Society is one of the world’s leading research organizations, dedicated to advancing scientific knowledge across a wide range of disciplines, from the natural sciences to the humanities. With over 80 institutes and research facilities worldwide, the Society fosters groundbreaking research to address global challenges and deepen our understanding of the world. Its mission is to drive innovation, contribute to scientific progress, and improve human welfare, making significant contributions to both fundamental science and practical applications. 

Learn more at https://www.mpg.de/en 

About German Space Agency at DLR

The German Space Agency at DLR, independently carry out sovereign tasks in the field of space on behalf of the Federal Government. Under the ‘Raumfahrtaufgabenübertragungsgesetz’ (Space Tasks Transfer Act), the agency advises the government, develop strategic approaches for space policy, and implement the government’s space strategy and space security strategy. The German Space Agency at DLR develop and manage the National Space Programme for Innovation and international Cooperation and represent Germany’s interests in space-relevant European and international bodies, as well as through international collaborations. The Agency serves as the central point of contact for the federal states and ensure close coordination with federal ministries. Through missions and projects, the agency strengthens the excellence of German science, enhance Germany’s defence capabilities and expand the technological expertise and global competitiveness of German industry.

Learn more about: https://www.dlr.de/en/ar

Photo credit: © SpaceX

Der Beitrag RAVEN satellite successfully launched erschien zuerst auf Talos.

The project will collect satellite data to monitor vital wildlife indicators 

12.01.2026 – German space startup TALOS and Bulgarian satellite manufacturer EnduroSat have partnered up to build the ICARUS 2.0 satellite constellation. The mission – which is also known as the “Internet of Animals” – is a research project of the leading German science institution Max Planck Society that aims to monitor wildlife movements and environmental changes through advanced satellite technology. TALOS has been closely involved in the ICARUS project as a core technology partner for some time. With EnduroSat as a new industrial partner, it is now implementing the build-up of its own constellation.

Following the successful launch of a technology demonstrator in November 2025, the operational build-up of the constellation has now begun. The launch of the first operational satellite, named RAVEN, is scheduled for early this year. By the end of 2026 / beginning of 2027, four further satellites will complement the constellation which is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space and the German Space Agency at DLR. Once fully deployed, the system will provide up to five daily updates on tracked animals around the globe.

Raycho Raychev, Founder and CEO of EnduroSat, said: “We are excited to enable the deployment of space infrastructure that delivers vital data about the state of wildlife and biodiversity. This project demonstrates how space data could help address our Planet’s most pressing challenges.”

“This is European innovation at its best,” added Gregor Langer, Co-Founder and CEO of TALOS. “A Bulgarian manufacturer and a German startup are teaming up to power a global research initiative. With the upcoming launch of our first satellite, ICARUS 2.0 is moving from vision to reality. Together with EnduroSat and the Max Planck Society, we’re leveraging space technology to better understand and protect life on Earth.”

ICARUS 2.0 builds on the legacy of the original ICARUS project, an international wildlife tracking system initially hosted on the International Space Station (ISS). After the original project was suspended in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, TALOS replaced Roskosmos – the Russian Federal Space Agency – as a key partner, joining forces with the Max Planck Society to develop and launch a new satellite constellation. By shifting to a dedicated satellite network, ICARUS 2.0 enables more frequent, cost-effective, and reliable data collection on animal movement, behavior, and environmental conditions. The system is often referred to as the „Internet of Animals“ because it creates a global, interconnected database of animal activity, similar to how the Internet connects and shares human-generated data worldwide.

The first satellite of the constellation is a so called 6U CubeSat, a compact satellite about the size of a shoebox. It is equipped with software-defined radio, which will receive data from small tracking  tags attached to animals and transmit it back to Earth. These monitor changes in location, temperature, humidity, pressure, and acceleration, providing critical insights for conservation and ecological research. The satellite is being produced in Sofia and is scheduled to be launched in February

TALOS is leading the mission design, operations and development of the tracking technology, while EnduroSat provides the satellite platform and facilitates ground station access through its network of partners. The Max Planck Society, as the scientific lead, contributes its expertise in animal tracking. Additional support for the RAVEN satellite has been provided by the National Geographic Society. As part of its global Explorer network, the organisation plans to make ICARUS technology accessible to an international community of researchers and conservation projects. The aim is to accelerate scientific work on animal migration, biodiversity and global ecosystems, while also making the insights gained available beyond academia for conservation, education and broader societal impact.

About EnduroSat

EnduroSat is a space infrastructure builder, streamlining space missions in LEO and beyond. The company manages every step – from mission design to launch and operations – serving over 350 customers globally and employing more than 300 space professionals across 6 locations worldwide.  

Learn more at https://www.endurosat.com

About TALOS

TALOS is a Munich- and Dresden-based NewSpace startup and a leading innovator in IoT and animal tracking technologies. Founded in 2022, the company is at the forefront of harnessing space technology to advance wildlife conservation, environmental and climate change research. Its lightweight, solar-powered IoT trackers and CubeSat constellation will provide precise animal tracking and environmental data collection, enabling researchers, conservationists, and scientists to better understand and protect the natural world.

About Max Planck Society

The Max Planck Society is one of the world’s leading research organizations, dedicated to advancing scientific knowledge across a wide range of disciplines, from the natural sciences to the humanities. With over 80 institutes and research facilities worldwide, the Society fosters groundbreaking research to address global challenges and deepen our understanding of the world. Its mission is to drive innovation, contribute to scientific progress, and improve human welfare, making significant contributions to both fundamental science and practical applications.

Learn more at https://www.mpg.de/en

Der Beitrag European partnership to build Satellite Constellation erschien zuerst auf Talos.

• Back in orbit: ICARUS will be installed on the GENA-OT satellite, launched on 19 November by German launch integrator Exolaunch as part of SpaceX’s Transporter-15 mission aboard Falcon 9.
• Flying on a CubeSat: The ICARUS receiver, developed by the company TALOS, is aboard the Gena-OT research satellite belonging to the University of the Bundeswehr Munich and built by the Munich-based company OroraTech.
• Mission starts after test phase: After a three-month testing phase in orbit, ICARUS will resume satellite-based tracking of animals worldwide.

After a three-year pause, ICARUS, the pioneering project that tracks wildlife from space, is set to resume operations. On 19 November 2025, a rocket will carry a satellite equipped with the ICARUS receiver into space—opening a new chapter in the study of animal observation.

During the first three months in orbit, the system will undergo extensive testing. Once operational, ICARUS will establish a continuous link with miniature sensors on animals across the globe, enabling scientists to monitor the locations, behavior, health, and environmental conditions of species ranging from migratory birds and bats to sea turtles and large mammals. For the first time, ICARUS will offer full global coverage—a critical leap forward in understanding biodiversity, ecosystem health, and the impact of climate change.

For ICARUS, the 19 November launch is only the beginning: a second receiver will follow in 2026, carried by an independent satellite from the Max Planck Society and the space company TALOS. Additional satellites are already in the planning stage. Together, they will form ICARUS 2.0, a constellation designed to deliver more frequent and higher-resolution data faster than ever before.

“With ICARUS 2.0, we are building a truly planetary-scale observatory,” said Martin Wikelski, Director at the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior. “For the first time, we will be able to listen to the signals of animals worldwide in near real time, offering unique insights on biodiversity and environmental change.”

From ISS to CubeSat
ICARUS first took flight in 2020 as a technological experiment aboard the International Space Station (ISS). An antenna on the ISS collected signals from lightweight sensors attached to animals, providing unprecedented insights into migration routes, breeding behaviors, and survival strategies. The project quickly proved its value: in its first year, ICARUS delivered datasets on dozens of species worldwide. However, the war on Ukraine in 2022 brought the ICARUS collaboration with Russia to an abrupt end. ICARUS paused operations. For the team behind the project, this pause became an opportunity to reimagine the technology from the ground up.

Working with the Munich-based NewSpace company TALOS, engineers miniaturized the ICARUS system into a ten-centimeter payload that can fly on a tiny satellite known as a CubeSat. Compared to the ISS-based prototype, the new receiver consumes one tenth the energy, reads four times as many sensors, and enables faster data downloads and remote software updates. It was successfully tested in an experimental orbital flight in 2023.

“What once required a massive antenna on the International Space Station now fits into the palm of a hand,” says Gregor Langer, CEO of TALOS.

First receiver in orbit
The space mission was made possible by a collaboration between ICARUS and the SeRANIS research mission of the University of the Bundeswehr Munich (UniBW). SeRANIS is funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU at the Bundeswehr Centre for Digitalisation and Technology Research. With a budget of approximately €70 million and a fleet of small satellites serving as a “laboratory in orbit”, SeRANIS is one of Germany’s largest university space programs. The new ICARUS receiver is flying on the Gena-OT CubeSat. The satellite is a platform developed by the Munich-based company OroraTech. The mission was funded by the German Aerospace Centre (DLR).

“We are delighted to have ICARUS in our orbital laboratory,” says Andreas Knopp, spokesperson for the SPACE Research Centre at the University of the Bundeswehr and head of the SeRANIS program. “We have been happy to provide technological support for Martin Wikelski’s groundbreaking work from the very beginning, and have learned a great deal ourselves in our scientific cooperation. We are convinced that Germany should derive much more benefit from projects of this kind.”

After a three-month test phase at an altitude of around 500 kilometers, ICARUS will begin two-way communication: miniature sensors attached to animals will begin transmitting high-precision GPS data to the satellite, which will in turn relay it back to researchers on Earth. This bi-directional function also means that scientists can remotely reprogram sensors without having to remove them from animals.

ICARUS 2.0: a new chapter in wildlife tracking
The second receiver has already been built and is scheduled to launch into space aboard a SpaceX mission in 2026. Independently operated by TALOS and the Max Planck Society, and funded by the National Geographic Society, this satellite will double the frequency of ICARUS data collection.

By mid 2027, a constellation of six ICARUS receivers is expected to be operational, creating an array that guarantees continuous functionality and delivers near real-time information on animal movements. This improved coverage will allow scientists to monitor animals’ well-being with unprecedented accuracy, detect disease outbreaks at their earliest stages, and anticipate ecological shifts that affect both wildlife and humans.

“This capability radically increases the speed with which we can respond to global challenges such as habitat loss, disease outbreaks, and shifting migration patterns,” says Wikelski, who is also a professor at the University of Konstanz.

Complementing the new receivers are a suite of next-generation animal tags currently under development. According to Gregor Langer from TALOS, which is the company developing the tags, “ICARUS tags will be among the lightest, smallest, and most energy-efficient sensors on the market.” These tiny, ultra-light sensors will not only record location data but also temperature, humidity, air pressure, and acceleration. Thanks to sophisticated on-board data pre-processing, they will give researchers a holistic view of animal health and behavior within their environments.

A global tool for big challenges
At a time when biodiversity loss and climate change are accelerating, ICARUS 2.0 represents a vital tool for science and conservation. The project is now embedded within the Animal Movement Biodiversity Observation Network (Move BON). By linking ICARUS data to Move BON, the signals collected from tagged animals can be translated into indicators of ecosystem health, migratory connectivity, and species resilience. These indicators feed directly into global biodiversity monitoring frameworks and help guide decision-makers, ensuring that the movements of animals inform strategies to protect habitats, mitigate climate impacts, and safeguard species at risk.

Adds Wikelski: “From predicting the spread of zoonotic diseases to tracking the survival of endangered species, ICARUS offers insights that will shape policies, guide conservation strategies, and deepen our understanding of the interconnectedness of life on Earth.”

Contact
Prof. Dr. Martin Wikelski
Director, Department of Migration
Max Planck Insitute of Animal Behavior & University of Konstanz
wikelski@ab.mpg.de

Uschi Müller
Project Coordinator Icarus
Max Planck Insitute of Animal Behavior
umueller@ab.mpg.de

Media Contact
Carla Avolio
Max Planck Insitute of Animal Behavior
cavolio@ab.mpg.de

About OroraTech and GENA-OT:
Since 2022, OroraTech has launched 10 CubeSats into orbit, establishing the world’s largest thermal satellite network. Its mission focuses on fighting forest fires, providing real-time situation awareness and immediate risk alerts to enable timely intervention. Since 2018, the company has been developing effective thermal products and satellites for users around the world.

Gena-OT is a generic nanosatellite platform funded by DLR and developed under ESA GSTP, consisting of a modular 16U CubeSat. GENA hosts payloads for important research projects such as @SeRANIS and @ICARUS. This strengthens cooperation across the entire NewSpace ecosystem. The launch is planned for November 2025 at the earliest as part of the SpaceX T15 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base.

About SeRANIS:
SeRANIS (Seamless Radio Access Networks for Internet of Space) is the world’s first and only project to provide a publicly accessible multifunctional experimental laboratory in orbit with the Athene 1 small satellite mission, thereby connecting research, industry, the armed forces and society. More than fifteen innovative and complex experiments involving key and future technologies will be conducted simultaneously on the Athene 1 satellite, which is scheduled to launch in 2026. As a dtec.bw cutting-edge research project funded by the European Union’s NextGenerationEU program, the project strengthens Germany’s national and international leadership role in space science.

About the Max Planck Society:
The Max Planck Society is one of the world’s leading research institutions and is dedicated to promoting scientific knowledge in a wide range of disciplines, from the natural sciences to the humanities. With over 80 institutes and research facilities worldwide, the Society promotes groundbreaking research to address global challenges and deepen our understanding of the world. Its mission is to drive innovation, contribute to scientific progress and improve human well-being, making significant contributions to both basic research and practical applications.

About TALOS:
TALOS is a NewSpace startup based in Munich and Dresden and a leading innovator in IoT and wildlife tracking technologies. Founded in 2022, the company is at the forefront of harnessing space technology to advance wildlife conservation, environmental and climate change research. Its lightweight, solar-powered IoT trackers and CubeSat constellation will provide precise animal tracking and environmental data collection, enabling researchers, conservationists, and scientists to better understand and protect the natural world. So far, the company is exclusively financed by customer orders and public grants and has been recognized for its innovation, including selection for the DBU GreenStartup program and as a finalist in the ESA BA challenge of the InnoSpace Masters 2024 competition.

About ICARUS:
ICARUS (International Cooperation for Animal Research Using Space) is a space-based system initiated by Martin Wikelski. The system enables the continuous global tracking of animals, surpassing traditional methods such as bird ring marking. While the original system, which consisted of an on-board computer and an antenna attached to the International Space Station (ISS), was discontinued in March 2022, the new system will operate independently through its own satellite fleet. It will provide 3D tracking of animal migrations across all continents in near real-time. The initiative aims to democratize access to tracking technology for the global scientific community, allowing smaller research organizations to participate in cutting-edge conservation efforts. The objective is to develop this global biodiversity IoT system into an open-source and participatory project for all nations. A 3D rendering of real animal movement data can be viewed here.

The image shows the GENA-OT satellite with its solar panels stowed away and the ICARUS antennas folded down on the side. – Ororatech GmbH

The image shows the zenith side of the GENA-OT satellite with all solar panels. – Ororatech GmbH

*Title image – Martin Wikelski / Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior

Der Beitrag ICARUS returns to space erschien zuerst auf Talos.

Press Release

• TALOS will deploy a fleet of at least five CubeSats to track animal movements, providing the Max Planck Society with access to both the technology and the collected data.
• ICARUS 2.0 will be available globally and allow for comprehensive research into biodiversity loss, climate change and animal disease spreading

[Munich, January 13, 2025] — TALOS, a Munich-based NewSpace startup and pioneer in animal tracking as well as IoT technologies, has signed a 4-year cooperation agreement with the Max Planck Society to launch ICARUS 2.0: The partnership will define the next generation of satellite-based animal tracking and create unprecedented opportunities for global science and conservation.

The original ICARUS system, hosted on the International Space Station (ISS), was developed in collaboration with the Russian space agency, Roscosmos. However, all research projects with Russia were halted at the onset of the war in Ukraine, including ICARUS. Now, ICARUS 2.0 will operate independently with its own dedicated fleet of at least five CubeSats in low Earth orbit (LEO).

The advanced system will enable high-precision tracking of animals with GPS-accuracy. It will also provide researchers with animal location updates at least once a day, with the potential for updates up to five times per day once all five satellites are operational. In addition to location data, the five-gram tags attached to animals will measure temperature, humidity, pressure, and acceleration, offering a comprehensive dataset to support diverse research objectives.

Professor Martin Wikelski, Director of the Max Planck Institute for Animal Behavior, added:“This collaboration continues the legacy of ICARUS, allowing us to explore uncharted frontiers in animal behavior and global biodiversity. ICARUS 2.0 will be a critical tool for addressing environmental challenges, including climate change, conservation, and zoonotic disease tracking such as SARS, bird flu and the West Nile virus. By leveraging space technologies and collaborating with innovative space startups, the ICARUS initiative benefits from faster development cycles and enhanced capabilities, further expanding its reach and impact in global scientific research and conservation efforts.”

Gregor Langer, CEO of TALOS, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership:“ICARUS 2.0 represents a transformative leap in animal tracking and environmental science. Together with the Max Planck Society, we are empowering scientists worldwide to gain deeper insights into our planet’s ecosystems and the movements of animals on an unprecedented scale. Thanks to the increasing affordability of space technologies and satellite launches, space startups like TALOS are emerging as key players in advancing scientific research, effectively supporting research institutions in delivering real solutions for life on Earth.”

The ICARUS 2.0 mission aims to launch the CubeSat constellation in phases. The first satellite will launch in fall 2025. The full constellation of five satellites is expected to be operational by end of 2026.

About the Max Planck Society

The Max Planck Society is one of the world’s leading research organizations, dedicated to advancing scientific knowledge across a wide range of disciplines, from the natural sciences to the humanities. With over 80 institutes and research facilities worldwide, the Society fosters groundbreaking research to address global challenges and deepen our understanding of the world. Its mission is to drive innovation, contribute to scientific progress, and improve human welfare, making significant contributions to both fundamental science and practical applications.

About TALOS:

TALOS is a Munich- and Dresden-based NewSpace startup and a leading innovator in IoT and animal tracking technologies. Founded in 2022, the company is at the forefront of harnessing space technology to advance wildlife conservation, environmental and climate change research. Its lightweight, solar-powered IoT trackers and CubeSat constellation will provide precise animal tracking and environmental data collection, enabling researchers, conservationists, and scientists to better understand and protect the natural world. So far, the company is exclusively financed by customer orders and public grants and has been recognized for its innovation, including selection for the DBU GreenStartup program and as a finalist in the ESA BA challenge of the InnoSpace Masters 2024 competition.

About ICARUS

ICARUS (International Cooperation for Animal Research Using Space) is a space-based system initiated by Martin Wikelski. The system enables the continuous global tracking of animals, surpassing traditional methods such as bird ring marking. While the original system, which consisted of an on-board computer and an antenna attached to the International Space Station (ISS), was discontinued in March 2022, the new system will operate independently through its own satellite fleet. It will provide real-time, 3D tracking of animal migrations across all continents. The initiative aims to democratize access to tracking technology for the global scientific community, allowing smaller research organizations to participate in cutting-edge conservation efforts. A 3D rendering of real animal movement data can be viewed here.

Media Contact
Philipp Lehmann
+49 1525 7619239
plehmann@b2p-communications.com

Der Beitrag TALOS and Max Planck Society Partner erschien zuerst auf Talos.

We are thrilled to announce that TALOS was selected as one of the winning teams of the cubesat competition of the Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR) funding the launch of our TALOS-I constellation!

The constellation will start with five cubesats in 2025 and will work cooperatively with the ICARUS goes LEO project.

The awards were presented by Anna Christmann, the Coordinator for Space and Aerospace of the German Federal Government. Her presence underscored the national significance of the cubesat competition and the TALOS-I constellation.

We extend our gratitude to the jury of DLR, ESA and the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Action for recognizing our commitment and vision to track wildlife, livestock and other assets from space using our space-proven and unique technology.

This milestone marks not just a victory for TALOS but a leap forward to protecting our biosphere from space.

Here is the link to the official announcement: Kleinsatelliten – Gewinner von drei DLR-Wettbewerben gekürt

Photo is copyright by DLR. All rights reserved.

Der Beitrag TALOS wins cubesat competition erschien zuerst auf Talos.

The ICARUS initiative

The International Cooperation for Animal Research Using Space (ICARUS) system was a technological and scientific breakthrough in studying the behavior of animals from space. The system was operational on the International Space Station for a few years as a technology demonstrator to validate its concept of operation, technology and scientific usefulness. In the short time, it proved to be very successful by producing valuable scientific data for researchers and scientists all over the world.

Next phase: “ICARUS goes LEO”

TALOS was awarded a contract by the Max Planck Society to build the next generation ICARUS system which will fly on a cubesat in a low earth orbit. A huge technological challenge, considering the previous system size on the ISS.

The new ICARUS system will already become operational in fall 2024. This will allow all scientific projects to continue and also bring significant advances to its operation concept: for the first time, the ICARUS system will allow for a real global coverage detecting ICARUS tags anywhere on Earth once a day.

The system is also open to be extended by additional cubesats enabling shorter update times to keep an even closer eye on wildlife and hence predict and hopefully prevent natural disasters.

Constant updates

We are very proud that TALOS has now become part of the ICARUS initiative and contributes to its technological and scientific success. Over the next months, we will constantly share updates of our progress towards the launch next year. And afterwards, we will share some of the amazing scientific discoveries we helped make possible.

Find out more on ICARUS here: Icarus – Erdbeobachtung mit Tieren | Tiersensoren – Max-Planck-Gesellschaft (mpg.de)

Der Beitrag First major contract erschien zuerst auf Talos.

PaTTS by TALOS won the SeRANISxfounders-Challenge of the Universität der Bundeswehr München and thus secured an opportunity to fly on the SeRANIS small satellite mission. PaTTS (Passive Tag Tracking by Satellites) is a new and innovative passive tracking technology that was invented by researchers of the TU Dresden and will now be further developed by the new startup TALOS based in Munich and marketed as a national key technology. In this context, the recent statements by the Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck (Grüne) on European sovereignty at the ESA Council of Ministers in Paris are viewed very positively and more political support for German start-ups in the space industry is called for.

At Monday’s final pitch of the start-up challenge SeRANISxfounders – the first competition of this kind at the Universität der Bundeswehr München – PaTTS by TALOS was able to prevail over five competitors and convinced the top-class jury from the Federal Armed Forces, research and industry with the enormous progress made in recent months and the proposed business plan.

PaTTs describes a new type of passive tracking technology that implements a number of innovative ideas: The technology works purely passively and can therefore not be located by third parties. The tags also have an enormous life-time paired with low maintenance cycles, since no transmission components are used. Last but not least, the tags are small, light and have a high level of robustness in regard to large temperature ranges and mechanical stress.

PaTTS by TALOS will now bring scientific equipment onto the SeRANIS small satellite mission and can thus carry out a first in-orbit validation of its passive tracking technology. This is the first step towards marketing this globally unique technology and opens up the opportunity to create a new national key technology.

Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) said on Tuesday at the ESA Council of Ministers meeting in Paris: „What is happening on earth must also apply to space. A separate sovereignty, satellites and thus security and security communication must also be granted in space.“ In addition, Habeck continued, it is also a priority to obtain data on climate change through earth observation. PaTTS can make an enormous contribution to this in particular and provide valuable measurement data that allow scientists to draw conclusions about climate change. Bruno Le Maire, France’s Economy Minister, also stressed at the Council of Ministers meeting: „If we want to be independent, we have to put money on the table“.

The emphasis on space as an integral part of European sovereignty is viewed very positively and underlines the need for political support for the German space industry. However, startups must also be considered in order to give new and innovative ideas a chance on the world market. The removal of bureaucratic hurdles and the simplification of public procurement processes would be a step in the right direction so that start-ups can contribute to European sovereignty.

Further information can also be found in the IDW press release from the Universität der Bundeswehr München on the SeRANISxfounders Challenge

Der Beitrag PaTTS by TALOS wins startup challenge erschien zuerst auf Talos.