Maybe they already have ground stations in place?
https://www.investi.com.au/api/announcements/sas/01870796.pdfExtracts from above document:The latest testing confirms that the 3 Diamonds are operatingas expected and are communicating to the ground stationswith no anomalies.
Sky and Space Global is using two ground stations, one in Aalborg, Denmark and one in Alaska. Theseground stations provide communication services in almost every satellites orbit.
Sky and Space Global’s CEO, Mr. Meir Moalem said:“We are delighted to reveal that the 3 Diamonds continue to perform as planned and arecommunicating with the ground stations with no anomalies.
https://spacenews.com/cubesat-voice-comms-test-paves-way-for-sky-and-space-globals-200-satellite-constellation/Extract from above:Moalem said Sky and Space Global intends to build a network operations center in London, and is investing in network management software for the fleet. Those investments should make constellation operations manageable with one primary and one backup ground station, he said.“Our entire network management is done autonomously in space within the constellation, and the entire communications traffic is done in space without any need for the ground station to be involved,” he said.
Rather than build a new ground station network, Moalem said Sky and Space Global will likely join forces with a ground station services provider — a move made possible by several companies tailoring services for smallsats.
Virgin Orbit LancherOneLauncherOne appears to be set for its first orbital test flight on March 15. If all goes well then timelines will be tight, but hopefully it will progress quickly from there.
Otherwise, Plan B with China Great Wall Industries.
https://www.investi.com.au/api/announcements/sas/32aeefce-c5e.pdf• MOU signed for a launch service with China Great Wall IndustriesCorporation
• No commitment has been made to use any one supplier for all of thelaunches, so decisions will be made according to price, launch capacity,and the launcher’s performance
• Currently in discussions with other potential launch services providersfor securing additional launches
• Launch, In-Orbit operations and revenues will be fully insured with zerofinancial exposure for the company
FundingAs for needing $288m. Everblu Research Report stated that SAS would be self funding after three batches are up. So, based on your figures of up to $12m per batch, then they would require a further $24m after the first batch to get three batches in orbit. Hopefully, a free ride from there.
I agree that an awful lot has to go right for this to work and the timing of revenue will be critical. I have everything crossed that all the ducks will line up as planned. Can't say I'm not feeling a bit nervous about the whole thing though.
