Another leap into space: Satellogic already has its own factory in the Netherlands

In a world devastated first by the pandemic, now by the war, Satellogic just took another leap into space. The world leader in microsatellites is start a factory of these satellites no less than in the Netherlands, to increase its production and put about 300 satellites into orbit. A whole constellation.

is approx a great achievement for a company that was born and still considers itself Argentine. Its programmers are in Buenos Aires. The 5,200 square meter plant in which Satellogic will assemble the satellites is located in Berkel en Rodenrijs, a strategic location, surrounded by universities and colleges that are a talent pool and very close to the port of Rotterdam, which facilitates its logistics.

There are vital parts for the satellites there, the size of a small kitchen. This is the case with optics and electronics. The plant will permanently employ 80 people. Its head of operations is Gustavo Wenhold, considered one of the world’s leading experts in the specialty. “We are preparing to offer high-frequency, high-resolution images”He says.

The current location in the Montevideo free zone will continue to be a pilot for the introduction of new technologies in the next generation of satellites. The goal of both will be the same in a company standardization process with the aim of zero defects.

Inspiration from a mathematician

Satellogic was born in 2010 from the inspiration of the mathematician and entrepreneur Emiliano Kargieman who was inspired by the space sciences. With low-cost microsatellites all types of phenomena are studied in real time, from climate change to road traffic or agricultural production of the planet. He has already launched 20 mini satellites with very Argentine names in space: Fresco and Batata, Captain Beto, Tita, Manolito and Milanesat, just to name a few.

In a short time he obtained international recognition. To such an extent that former US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin’s Liberty Strategic Capital fund invested 150 million dollars and is about to become the 12th unicorn in Argentina. Mnuchin is a banker, film producer and fund manager. He was Trump’s chancellor and when he sets his sights on a company, he sets the trend.

“The best way to predict the future is to invent it”, It’s one of Kargieman’s mottos that he started coding at the age of 8, started his first business at 15, was a hacker, worked for DGI testing systems while in high school, and studied math and philosophy for vocation. He envisioned Satellogic as a vertically integrated Earth observation company. They design and manufacture each of the sensors and components.

Alliance with Elon Musk

Elon Musk’s aerospace company is in charge of putting its satellites into operation. This alliance allows Satellogic to reduce the time between development and launch into orbit thanks to the frequent dating program of the South African billionaire and Tesla owner.

These microsatellites can produce full-motion video up to two minutes in length. And they circle the earth every 90 minutes to collect data through their cameras. Then they transmit the images to the two stations of the company, one at the South Pole and one at the North Pole.

With the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Satellogic was chosen by the international community to offer free access to high-resolution images of affected areas in Ukraine to humanitarian and non-governmental organizations for peaceful uses. So they found the best ways to evacuate the citizens.