Quasar selected for Catalyst Accelerator

Australian satellite communications business Quasar Satellite Technologies is among seven companies selected to participate in the 13th Catalyst Accelerator, a program run by the US Air Force Research Laboratory Space Vehicles Directorate (AFRL/RV).

Quasar has developed a technology based on CSIRO’s phased array research and is able to communicate with thousands of nanosatellites through one ground station.

The Catalyst Accelerator is described as exposing non-traditional technology companies to the US defence environment. It offers connections to US government agencies, alongside mentorship and to fast track business development opportunities.

Quasar is the only international company in the cohort, which is focussed on space domain awareness (SDA.)

According to a statement from Quasar on Monday (Sydney time), judges selected the company due to its “advanced phased array system which is considered to have high potential to benefit SDA. This is the result of its superior performance in detecting and characterising radio frequency (RF) signals from space for all-of-sky visibility with no blind spots.”

Richard Singh, Chief Sales Officer at Quasar, said the company’s technology is based on more than 12 years’ R&D in wideband RF arrays, and is fully software-defined and “designed for rapid deployment in forward-operating scenarios.”

Quasar’s inclusion in the Catalyst program follows the December launch of its Quasar Sense ground station.

“We launched our world-first SDA technology with resounding success – the number of satellites in space is ballooning, and civil, commercial and government defence and intelligence agencies not only want their own stake in the space race, but all-sky visibility to see what the rest of the world is doing in orbit,” said Singh. 

“We have already engaged with key agencies in the US, Australia and other markets to share our initial data sets and analysis. “

Quasar’s technology is available to Five Eyes and Quad nations and their allies, with the US its primary target market.

Further reading

Quasar launches digital multibeam satellite ground station

Quasar Satellite Technologies awarded space innovation contract

Quasar launches phased array satellite ground station