Actually it's just geometry. Anytime you create a parallelogram, you can cut that figure into 4 triangles. So you can, in this case, theoretically draw data through triangulation from 4 options plus the parallelogram itself. One launch of 4 sats is a lot more economical than 4 launches of 3 sats. Even though your 4 are all in the same orbit, the accuracy of the data and flexibility has to be greatly increased. As a ship moves across the sea, the 4 (5) perspectives will enable Kleos to more accurately determine aspects like direction and speed of movement, and perhaps size, identity and other data. Imagine you are looking at an object on the table through a small hole in a sheet of cardboard held above it in one position. Now move that hole so you have 4 positions you can look at the object through. They are 4 pieces of data and your brain puts them together to create a single image. (I just did it using by looking through my closed hand at a highlighter) Each data point is being fed by triangulation, which is what Hawkeye 360 & Unseenlabs are doing. This is why Kleos is unique as it will create 4 data points simultaneously for the program to assimilate to create the best possible information. It does also explain why they have been so determined to get the 4 sat formation going when they could have just flicked D when it went off the reservation. You drop 1 sat and you lose a lot of unique data. Also don't forget they lost their test sat when the NZ launch blew up last year. They need as much experience and knowledge from the KSM1 sats as they can get before the next 2 launches this year. Finally - their was mention they maybe they were moving sat maker from GOM to ISIS because maybe these sats are dicky. However it is worth noting that HE60 and Unseen have both chosen GOM to go with. So it might be cost, timing or even IP issues. Anyway that is the way I understand it, and as always could be entirely wrong. DYOR & enjoy the ride.
KSS Price at posting:
85.0¢ Sentiment: Buy Disclosure: Held
