MARATHON IoT – a race for 264 satellites

Hello there! Welcome to the official RESHETNEV company blog. Here we will be posting about space technology, satellite systems and many other fascinating stuff. My workfellows and I are going to share our thoughts and opinions on these topics and help you to puzzle out the intricacies of modern state of space technology. Feel free to join the discussion!

Year by year, we see the arousing interest in space technology. Satellites have become pivotal in communication, navigation, weather forecasting, mapmaking, telecommunication and rescue operations. Thus, it is only sensible to stay in step with trends and innovations.

I am convinced that our blog will be of help for better understanding satellite systems working principles and purposes to which they serve. You will sure find the blog useful for the projects and research of your own.

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Without further ado, let’s get into our first publication. Today’s topic is MARATHON IoT satellite constellation.

In 2023, we have made a major step in creating MARATHON IoT, a multi-satellite data transmission system, which is one of the key activities of the SPHERE federal program. The objective of this ROSCOSMOS State Corporation paramount initiative is the development of space information technology and levelling down a “digital gap” existing in the country. SPHERE is intended to create a state-of-art distribution and monitoring network, which shall include both existing and plannd space infrastructure.

Small satellites - big goals

MARATHON data transmission satellite, manufactured on ROSCOSMOS commission, is the first Internet of Things (IoT) satellite.

IoT (internet of things) – is a network of physical devices, connected to the other devices and services over the internet or other network to exchange data. IoT is applicable to any field where any automation whatsoever is required. Most frequently, IoT has been used in industrial production (e. g., iiot - Industrial Internet of Things), logistics, agricultural sector, retail, healthcare, power engineering, organization of city life and other infrastructures including “Alert button” - a service helping people in distress. Currently, there are over a billion of connected devices, and there are more and more of them every year.

As for MARATHON IoT, the global low-orbit data transmission system will encompass 264 micro-class satellites.

• Satellite constellation – 264 satellites.
• Orbit type – low.
• Orbit altitude – 750 km.
• Number of planes – 12 (22 satellites each).

Mass reduction

The main advantage of the multi-satellite system is the small mass and dimension so that 44 satellites can be launched and injected into low circular orbit as one cluster.

MARATHON satellites are produced using additive technology, which significantly cuts the price and improves workmanship. It also helps improving performances and quality of production.

Additive technology – is a method of creating a 3D objects and components by adding the material layer by layer. MARATHON satellite features metal-printed antenna feeder devices. 16 transmitter shields and 4 feeder line antennas for the first MARATHON satellite were manufactured at the SLS facility. Apart from that, a set of devices for the satellite autonomous testing was designed and manufactured.

MARATHON satellites are going to feature battery cells developed as required for serial production and in-orbit testing. TUSUR university (Tomsk State University of Control Systems and Radioelectronics) experts are the ones responsible for production of batteries for RESHETNEV satellites.

Due to its light and compact structure, the battery is capable of powering the satellite throughout the whole lifetime including Earth and Moon eclipse orbits. The battery uses new type cells as well as a built-in equalizer to balance voltage between the individual cells. The battery prototype for the first MARATHON satellite has successfully passed field testing.

• MARATHON performances
• Launch mass: below 100 kg
• Dimensions:
  • launch configuration: 47х96х97 cm
  • operational configuration: 47х267х97 cm
• Lifetime: 5 years

Closing stage

Recently RESHETNEV has received all the experimental satellite components manufactured by partners. The last batch of modules underwent acceptance tests at the manufacturers' premises, followed by incoming inspection in Zheleznogorsk, Russia.

Representatives of another ROSCOSMOS State Corporation enterprise, RSS (Russian Space Systems) have also participated in equipment incoming inspection.

The equipment supplied by RSS included 3 modules: avionics, feeder radio-frequency transmission line and ADS-B module. The avionics is going to be used as the satellite onboard control complex and shall carry out energy conversion. Feeder radio-frequency transmission line carries out the task of both command and measurement system, which transmits the data to the ground control station, and the target information transmission system. ADS-B (automatic dependent surveillance broadcast) module will allow obtaining up-to-date information from aircraft (aircraft identifier, location, etc.).

The main component of the MARATHON satellite is IoT module, developed by Novosibirsk State University. This equipment will ensure prompt reception and transmission of Internet of Things signals in various frequency bands.

Goodness marathon

70 addresses from children shall travel to space by the first MARATHON satellites produced by RESHETNEV.

Throughout 2023 The Unity Charitable Foundation team carefully collected not only images, but also emotionally charged phrases from children with cancer: "I am radiantly healthy", "Let's live, we are strong", "Peace, kindness, love", "Believe in a miracle!" and others.

All these messaged were combined into eight theme based collages and laser engraved on the spacecraft balance plates by Siberian satellite engineers.

MARATHON shall become the second RESHETNEV satellite with such a noble goal. In October 2022, SKIF-D delivered dreams of children from 3 countries right into space.

To be continued

RESHETNEV company is open for collaboration with foreign partners who understand the importance, relevance and prospects for the development of modern space technologies. We are ready to answer any of your questions. For this purpose, the website has an ASK A QUESTION form, a CONTACTS section and a presentation. You can download it on the HOME page or here.

Thank you, and read me next time!