December 17th 2013

Highly Flexible Nano-satellites with Reliable and Ultra-robust Data Links

The Danish National Advanced Technology Foundation has announced that they invest USD 900.000 (DKK 5 Mill) in a project with RESEIWE and GomSpace to develop a highly flexible Software Defined Radio module for nano-satellite applications with extremely reliable and robust data links.

 

Nano-satellites (nanosats) have emerged within the last decade starting as a tool for education and capacity building, but are now rapidly becoming a technology considered for the implementation of operational surveillance and communication services operated by national authorities. Nanosats provide a cost-efficient and relative fast option for deploying new space borne assets to support data gathering to improve situational awareness leading to increased operational efficiency.

 

The project will develop a Software Defined Radio (SDR) module for use on nano-satellites and with the ability to be reconfigured in space for different uses. The module will incorporate RESEIWE protocol coding to enable reliable and ultra-robust data links. Examples of services which can be offered using this new generation of nano-satellites with reliable and ultra-robust data links are

•Communication and sea traffic surveillance in the Arctic region now becoming relevant as the conditions for use of e.g. the north-west passage is changing

•Beyond line of sight coverage for better service in difficult-to-reach locations