Pyxis

Pyxis is a planned network of telecommunications satellites in highly elliptical (Molniya-type) orbit, designed by Dauria Aerospace to deliver internet access to northern polar and sub-polar regions. The Molniya orbit, pioneered by the Soviet Union’s 1965 Molniya-1 relay satellite, allows a spacecraft passing over the northern hemisphere to loiter for extended periods at high altitude before rapidly transiting the southern hemisphere, appearing to nearly stand still in the sky as seen from high-latitude ground stations for up to 12 hours per orbit. Using a constellation of several satellites, continuous broadcast/communications coverage can be maintained for polar regions of Russia, Europe, Canada, and the United States. The Pyxis project envisioned developing and launching four satellites of up to 100 kg each (suitable for piggyback launch alongside other payloads going to the same orbit) into Molniya orbit by 2020. At full constellation strength, Pyxis was intended to provide internet access for approximately 10,000 users, targeting customers such as oil and gas operators, Northern Sea Route vessel crews, polar researchers, and residents of remote polar regions lacking terrestrial connectivity.