Adelaide-based company Fleet Space Technologies has successfully demonstrated breakthrough two-way SATCOM capabilities using advanced microsatellite architectures, in a major step towards delivering sovereign multi-orbit space systems for Australia’s Defence Force and its allies.
The space tech company is pioneering innovative technology that enables two-way voice and data (TVAD) calls with its recently launched next-generation Centauri-6 satellite, as part of a $6.4 million contract with Defence.
The satellite communication system forms part of the ASCEND2LEO program, a combined research and development activity between Fleet, Defence, the University of South Australia, Safety from Space and SmartSat CRC.
The program aims to develop resilient and flexible low Earth orbit (LEO) capabilities leveraging Fleet’s Centauri satellites to advance tactical communications in low-connectivity environments.
Co-Founder & CEO of Fleet Space Technologies, Matt Pearson, said the TVAD demonstration marks the first time full duplex SATCOMs have been delivered using advanced microsatellites in low Earth orbit.
“Fleet Space’s successful demonstrations of high-performing SATCOM capabilities reflects our readiness to deliver resilient space-based systems using advanced microsatellite architectures with flexible and multi-purpose payloads,” Mr Pearson said.
“With Centauri 6, Fleet Space has established a proof-of-concept for delivering sovereign SATCOM capabilities.
“Our demonstration of microsatellite-enabled full duplex SATCOMs establishes Fleet Space and Australia’s space sector on the forefront of the global effort to build secure, flexible multi-orbit capabilities.”
In March 2024, Fleet Space successfully demonstrated Push-To-Talk capabilities by reprogramming its Centauri-4 satellite while in orbit – making it the world’s smallest voice-enabled satellite.
Adding to this achievement, Fleet Space’s Centauri-6 satellite – launched in April on SpaceX’s Bandwagon-1 mission – was reconfigured to perform full duplex SATCOMs with a re-engineered waveform.
