# Project ICARUS recently launched the second of two satellites that are crucial to its plan to gather granular data on the whereabouts of wildlife around the globe.

*aerospace · news · 2026-05-04 · National Geographic*

## Key points

- ICARUS has launched a second dedicated satellite carrying only their wildlife-tracking technology.
- Tags can sense subtle animal movements and AI will analyze these for health or environmental changes.
- 3,000 tracking tags are ready for deployment, with 3,000 more ordered and plans for 100,000 eventually.
- The new miniaturized tags weigh as little as one gram and can be distributed globally via local partners.

**Companies:** SpaceX
**Countries:** Germany, Russia, Bhutan, Bolivia, Iceland, Rwanda, Turkey, Seychelles, Spain

[Read the full story on National Geographic](https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/project-icarus-new-satellite-animal-tagging)

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