Unseenlabs announces successful launch of BRO-23 and BRO-32 satellites

Unseenlabs announces the successful launch of BRO-23, a Gen 1 nanosatellite, and BRO-32, a Gen 2 microsatellite. BRO-23 and BRO-32 lifted off from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California aboard a SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket as part of the Transporter-18 rideshare mission. The two satellites were ssdeployed into orbit on October 1. Their integration was managed by Exolaunch. This launch brought together an Unseenlabs Gen 1 satellite and Gen 2 satellite on the same mission for the first time. Following their deployment, BRO-23 and BRO-32 have brought Unseenlabs’ constellation to 25 satellites. “The successful launch of BRO-23 and BRO-32 is the result of the work of our teams and partners. Seeing these two generations reach orbit together marks a new milestone for our constellation, with maritime monitoring remaining at the core of our activities and Gen 2 opening up new fields of application,” said Clément Galic, co-founder and CEO of Unseenlabs. Following BRO-31, Unseenlabs’ first Gen 2 satellite, BRO-32 continues the deployment of this new generation. Its coverage of the L, S, C, and X bands will enable the detection, identification, geolocation, and characterisation of a wider variety of RF emitters across maritime, land, and space environments. Both generations will continue to be deployed within the same constellation. Each satellite operates independently thanks to Unseenlabs’ monosatellite technology. BRO-23 therefore strengthens the constellation’s maritime detection capabilities, while BRO-32 expands its capabilities to address new operational needs. BRO-23 is a Gen 1 nanosatellite that strengthens Unseenlabs’ maritime monitoring capabilities through space-based radio frequency signal detection. It detects RF emissions from vessels at sea, including those not reporting their position via AIS. Rheinmetall Italia and Argotec deploy first air defence satellite Rheinmetall and Argotec announced the first satellite developed within their collaboration was successfully launched into orbit aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch vehicle from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, United States. With this successful launch, the Düsseldorf-based technology group, acting through its subsidiary Rheinmetall Italia S.p.A., initiates the targeted development of an independent, satellite-based capability for national security and military situational awareness, in close coordination with institutional stakeholders. The successful launch marks an important milestone in Rheinmetall’s expanding activities in the space domain. The satellite programme, launched on 1 October 2026, focuses on gathering intelligence rather than on conventional mapping of ground objects. The program focuses on generating information rather than conventional mapping of ground objects. Instead, the sensors of the orbiting satellite identify ground-based indicators of emerging airborne threats, delivering critical early warning and provide data critical for air defense. The acquired situational data and imagery will be processed with the support of AI to integrate seamlessly into national defense and air defense systems, making them directly available to customers. The system combines different capability layers such as space-based observation, ground-based nodes, and tactical networks that will be managed through an advanced Command and Control Post, to meet new generation defense and security needs, allowing intelligence superiority missions. In Argotec, Rheinmetall has found an industrial partner with extensive experience from NASA and other leading international space programs. Both partners are utilizing the current mission success to validate their respective technical capabilities in real-world operations and subsequently advance them through step-by-step joint development. Core Element of a Future Satellite Constellation “The successful launch of our first satellite marks a milestone in strengthening national security and space capabilities,” states Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG. “Integrating space-based data into existing defence architectures is a critical step in addressing the changed security environment. This cooperation confirms the trust in our technological integration expertise and makes a vital contribution to technological sovereignty and resilient, networked situational awareness.” “The successful launch of this satellite is a key milestone in building the next generation space infrastructures, designed for operational and defence needs,” said David Avino, CEO and founder of Argotec. “Together with Rheinmetall, we’re turning space technology into a valuable operational asset, scalable, connected, and ready to support complex defence scenarios. This is an important step toward greater technological autonomy, as we transform data into near real-time information supporting decision-makers.” The medium- to long-term program is structured according to a modular approach. The completed launch establishes the technological foundation for validating operational functionality in orbit and consolidating subsequent funding phases. Building on this initial capability, the space-based component is scheduled to expand progressively into a broader satellite constellation. A subsequent satellite launch is already firmly anchored in the program roadmap for 2028. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Kym Bergmann at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Group Sales Director Simon Hadfield at [email protected]