SINGAPORE—Leonardo has started building the first satellites for a company-funded, multi-sensor low-Earth-orbit constellation, with launches to start next year.

The company in March said it planned to field the constellation of roughly 20 satellites. The system preliminary design review was accomplished within eight months, Massimo Comparini, managing director of Leonardo's space division, said here in an interview at the Space Summit 2026.

“Even big companies can move fast,” he noted.

The program appears to be sticking to its schedule. The first satellites are due to be launched before the end of next year, with the rest to follow in 2028. Leonardo plans for the system to deliver initial operational capability in 2028, with full operational capability expected in 2029, Comparini said.

Leonardo has previously indicated the satellites will evolve. They will likely feature in-space links and agentic artificial intelligence capability to execute multiple tasks autonomously. The company also has its eye on quantum key encryption for the system.

Production of the first satellites began late last year, Comparini said.

The constellation is likely to feature a mix of radar imaging spacecraft, electro-optical satellites and some with infrared capability.