Fleet Space shows two way voice and data communications

Satellite and space systems manufacturer Fleet Space Technologies has successfully demonstrated two-way voice and data (TVAD) satellite communications for the Australian Defence Force in support of the ASCEND2LEO satellite communication programme.

Developed as part of a $6.4 million contract with Defence, Fleet Space’s TVAD demonstration included a full duplex satellite communications system, enabling two-way voice and data calls with the company’s recently launched next-gen Centauri-6 satellite.

Fleet Space said the demonstration marked the first use case of a full duplex SATCOM system being enabled by advanced microsatellite architectures in low Earth orbit – an innovation necessary for the development of sovereign multi-orbit space systems with resilient narrowband SATCOM capabilities.

Co-Founder & CEO of Fleet Space Technologies Matt Pearson said: “With Centauri 6, Fleet Space has established a proof-of-concept for delivering sovereign SATCOM capabilities.

“We’re proud to pioneer this new-to-world innovation path to deliver advanced SATCOMs with reduced cost and added resilience in support of Australia’s Defence Space Strategy priorities and the expanding needs of allies and international partners around the world.

“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 Fleet Space demonstrated Push-To-Talk capabilities by reprogramming its Centauri-4 satellite while in orbit – making it the world’s smallest voice-enabled satellite.

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 developed by Safety from Space and SmartSAT CRC, with support from the University of South Australia (UniSA) and the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG).

ASCEND2LEO, a combined research and development activity between Defence, Fleet Space Technologies, University of South Australia, Safety from Space and SmartSat CRC, aims to develop resilient, rapidly-fielded, and flexible LEO capabilities leveraging Fleet Space’s Centauri satellites to advance tactical communications in low-connectivity environments.

The live Fleet Space TVAD demonstration, hosted by the University of South Australia exceeded a strict performance criterion of voice quality, reliability, and link persistence – enabling live voice calling and data transmission between two geographically remote users.

The Defence & National Security Coordinator at SmartSat CRC Peter Kerr said: “We understood from the outset that helping to shape the concept of this demonstration would open new innovation pathways for future resilient space-based capabilities,” added Peter Kerr.”

Further reading:
Fleet Space’s Centauri satellite made voice capable in orbit
Fleet Space Centauri-6 satellite deployed in space

Picture: Fleet Space Technologies