Kleos radio-locating satellite clusters
Kleos's groups of small satellites that flew together to pinpoint radio transmitters on land and sea. Three were still in orbit in late 2024, but the service stopped when the company wound down.
Why it matters
Kleos sold radio-signal geolocation from orbit for spotting illegal fishing, piracy and border activity, the same market HawkEye 360 and Unseenlabs serve. Its wind-down shows how hard that business is to sustain.
How the technology works
Kleos flew satellites in clusters of four in a rectangular formation (missions KSM1, KSF1, KSF2 and KSF3), so each signal reached the satellites at slightly different times and could be located. Data was sold through an API on recurring licenses.
By October 2024 three satellites (KSF3a, KSF3b, KSF3d) remained in orbit and the company had no staff.
Sources
Updated Oct 22, 2026 · How we source facts · Suggest a correction