SWISSto12, a provider of 3D-printed telecommunications equipment, closed a partnership with Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems, Inc., a Terran Orbital Corporation. They team up to offer mini satellites for the Geostationary Equatorial Orbit where the satellite always appears stationary above the same point on earth’s surface.
The evolution of mini GEO missions (GEO satellites of 100-500kg for an altitude of 36.000 km) is complementary to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) constellations offered by the satellite communications industry. However, up until now the market lacks experienced and trusted mini-GEO solution providers that can offer reliability and high performance at a price point compatible with the market’s new expectations.
The combination of Tyvak’s mission operations, platform, and payload expertise, along with SWISSto12’s end-to-end telecom payload and 3-D printed RF products, brings a new level of innovation to the GEO market. Together they will deliver highly efficient and customized min-GEO satellites at competitive cost. Capitalizing on engineering teams from both Europe and the U.S., Tyvak and SWISSto12 aim to expedite the delivery of mini-GEO satellite fleets.
“We are very excited about this partnership to enable and accelerate cost-effective, mini-GEO missions with SWISSto12 closing the gap through expertise and new technology applications,” said Marco Villa, COO of Tyvak. “Tyvak has invested in GEO bus technology for years and we are pleased to extend our reach and apply agile aerospace processes to the telecommunications sector.”
“There is a lot of opportunity in mini-GEO satellites but the pace of development and delivery is hindered by the availability of products that can truly handle the performance and cost challenges while mitigating the risks of space,” said Dr. Emile de Rijk, CEO of SWISSto12. “We are extremely excited to partner with Tyvak to enable new mission opportunities for the satellite communications industry.
https://www.startupticker.ch/en/news/september-2019/swissto12-enables-cost-effective-mini-satellites