Home-SWISSto12 contracts HPS/LSS for deployable antenna reflector on HummingSat GEO mission
SWISSto12, a Switzerland-based satellite communications company, has awarded a contract to German space subsystem consortiumHPS/LSSfor a large deployable reflector subsystem for the NEASTAR-1 mission.
The reflector will be integrated with SWISSto12’sHummingSatsmall geostationary satellite platform. According to the company, the mission will enable direct-to-device media broadcasting capabilities from geostationary orbit, supporting direct-to-device broadcasting through a single GEO platform instead of a distributed LEO constellation.
The large deployable reflector subsystem, or LDRS, will operate in L-band and unfold in orbit after launch. HPS/LSS will supply a 5 m diameter antenna reflector, including the deployment arm and associated subassemblies. SWISSto12 said the contract supports its strategy to strengthen European capabilities for end-to-end space systems.
European-built reflector for GEO direct-to-device services
The antenna reflector subsystem is the result of more than 15 years of development supported by theEuropean Space Agency’sAdvanced Research in Telecommunicationsprogramme,ESA Earth Observation Technology Developmentactivities, and the EU’sHorizon 2020 programme.
The NEASTAR-1-LDRS contract is co-funded by ESA, with core funding from the German Space Agency within the German Aerospace Center, and addit ional contributions from other ESA Member States.
SWISSto12 said the project combines its HummingSat platform with a large deployable L-band reflector antenna, opening a new category of space system for direct-to-device services. The company added that the architecture could provide wide coverage for critical network capabilities without operators relying on large satellite constellations.
Since the start of the HummingSat programme, SWISSto12 has expanded its industrial footprint in Germany. The company said this latest contract strengthens the German contribution to HummingSat and supports future cooperation aligned with the German Federal Government’s Space Strategy, particularly around secure communications.
The HPS/LSS consortium joins SWISSto12’s German supply chain network, which includesASP,AST,DLR,Tesat,Thales Germany,Jena Optronik, andRockwell Collins Germany.
Source: 3D Printing Industry
