MOSCOW, February 16 The launch of the first satellite constellation of the Internet of Things «Marathon IoT» has been postponed from February 29 to an indefinite period for software checks, Roscosmos reported.
“The launch of the first demonstration spacecraft “Marathon IoT” has been postponed for the purpose of additional software checks, as well as clarifying the program of additional research. After solving these problems, the device will be launched into space as an accompanying payload,” the message says.
The launch of the satellite was planned for December 26, 2023. Later, the source said that the IoT Marathon could be launched into orbit together with the Meteor-M hydrometeorological satellite, which is scheduled to launch on February 29.
In September 2023, Roscosmos signed a contract with the satellite manufacturing company Reshetnev to create the first satellites of the full-scale Marathon IoT orbital constellation. It is expected that it will consist of 264 devices in orbits at an altitude of 750 kilometers in 12 planes with a circumpolar inclination. This will make it possible to provide data services throughout the Earth.
The Marathon constellation will be part of the Sphere multi-satellite system. This project is designed to provide Russians with the Internet of things, as well as communications in areas remote from the center, in particular in the Arctic. The developers place special emphasis on ensuring communications on the Northern Sea Route. The first vehicle of the group, the Skif-D technology demonstrator, was launched on October 22, 2022 from the Vostochny Cosmodrome.
The Internet of things (IoT) allows the exchange of data between various electronic and household devices that are equipped with technologies for connecting to the World Wide Web. IoT technologies automate many processes in medicine, energy, transport and the urban environment.