EOS buys US space communications business, enters satellite market

Defence, space and communications group Electro Optic Systems (ASX: EOS) has bought US space business Audacy Corporation for $10 million in cash.

The Canberra company’s subsidiary EOS Defence Systems USA Inc purchase of Audacy is part of a strategy to widen the remit of EOS’s operations in the United States.

The chairman of EOSDS John Berry said: “Following completion of this acquisition EOS will be able to build a satellite network that will provide a comprehensive, end to end communications and data transfer service through a new constellation of EOS satellites.”

The company pans to have satellites in orbit in 2024.

Until now EOSDS, of Huntsville Alabama, has focused on the production of the company’s remotely-operated weapons systems and products designed to counter rogue unmanned aerial vehicles.

EOS meanwhile has a focus on optical or laser space communications, with the new US purchase allowing it to enter the regulated microwave space communications sector.

The company said in a statement: “(This is) one of several channels the company intends to apply to commercialise its optical, microwave and hybrid microwave-optical communications technologies.”

The Audacy purchase brings with it a space satellite spectrum licence allowing it to use microwave spectrum bands for communication among satellites and with the ground.

Utilising the licence requires the launch of a constellation of new mid-earth orbit satellites to allow real-time data transfer with space vehicles and low earth orbit satellites.

The purchase builds on EOS acquisition in 2019 of EM Solutions which will develop ground terminals, and EOS Space Systems space sensors which protect satellites from collisions with space debris.

Picture: EOS

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