Kepler’s satellites require a fraction of the power of conventional devices and can be launched for $250,000, compared to as much as $500 million for a typical satellite.
So far, the company has sent two into orbit, but aims to launch 140, to allow clients to send and receive data from fixed locations or moving vessels anywhere in the world. Kepler sees an opportunity to help companies track assets such as railcars and shipping containers.
The company got its start in 2015 through Start@UTIAS, a Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering incubator created with the help of a $1-million gift from Francis Shen (MASc 1983).
The initial support was critical for Kepler to develop its core intellectual property, which includes the specialized radio equipment the satellites rely on, says Jeffrey Osborne, vice-president for strategy and business development.
While the company’s current focus is using satellites to cheaply connect things here on Earth, Osborne says the long-term vision is to enable connections between space-based vehicles.
Recent Posts
Fighting for Justice
In her latest documentary, filmmaker Nisha Pahuja tackles a most difficult topic – sexual assault
Rogers Foundation Gives $90 Million to Usher in New Era in Cardiac Care
Gift will enable the Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research to expand its research into heart failure – and save lives
Solving a Climate Puzzle, One Tree Ring at a Time
A natural archive reveals how Canada’s arctic climate has changed over the past 1,000 years
