SES has reinstated its Cleosat low Earth orbit (LEO) project.

SES has resurrected its ‘Cleosat’ filing with the ITU which lapsed in 2015. Cleosat calls for an L and S-band constellation of 62 satellites (6×10 @ 850km/86°, 1 @ 533km/97.5° & 1 MEO @ 8062km) for a potential direct-to-handset service.

The original Cleosat filing with the ITU, made in 2015, was lost and expired due to delays reportedly at the Luxembourg Space Agency.

“SES applied for this [LEO] filing through the Luxembourg government because it recognises the potential of direct-to-handheld 5G satellite connectivity in the years to come. We haven’t made any decision to significantly invest in this technology at this stage, and will in the coming months do our due diligence of assessing the market and business plans,” stated a SES spokeswoman back in 2022.

The resubmitted filing was made to the ITU on January 7th

The filing is made – perhaps entirely coincidentally – with the SES decision to invest in Lynk Global, which is specifically targeting direct-to-handset connectivity. Advanced Television

NOTE: See letter shown below courtesy of Satnews