AAC Clyde Space leads consortium to develop laser communication system valued at SEK 40.4 M
2024-04-26 AAC Clyde Space AB (publ)
AAC Clyde Space's subsidiary AAC Hyperion and its partners, Netherland's FSO Instruments and TNO, have agreed to develop the next generation of laser communication terminals for small satellites. In the project, AAC Clyde Space is to deliver a compact, low-cost, laser system capable of transmitting data from space at a speed of up to 10 Gbps. The project is planned to be finalized during the third quarter 2026.
"The demand for direct laser communication between satellites and Earth is growing rapidly. With this project, we aim to stay at the forefront of technological development," says AAC Clyde Space CEO Luis Gomes.
AAC Hyperion will productionise the existing 1 Gbps system, CubeCAT V1, in corporation with FSO Instruments. This will also expand CubeCat's capacity to 10 Gbps to generate a next-generation terminal to enable space-to-ground communication between small satellites and optical ground stations.
The total value of the project is EUR 3.5 M (approx. SEK 40.4) of which EUR 1.9 (approx. SEK 22.3 M) will be co-funded by the Dutch National Growth Fund program NXTGEN HIGHTECH through the Netherlands Space Office (NSO). The project is thereby carried out under a programme of and funded by the European Space Agency. The project will be recognized as revenue with no net margin since AAC Hyperion and partners will fund the remaining EUR 1.6 M
(approx. SEK 18.2 M).
As commercial and government data demands continue to increase, the need for high-quality, timely data from space is growing rapidly. Laser communication technologies are being increasingly used to send data generated on satellites directly to earth. By transmitting through the infra-red wavelength band, the limitations of standard radio frequency communication technologies are avoided, thereby increasing transmission capabilities of satellites by factors of 10 to 100. Moreover, the narrow beamwidth makes optical communication links more secure. Laser communication systems also have the potential of lower size, weight and power, which is important in the Space domain.
The CubeCAT V1 is currently flying in Low Earth Orbit on a technology demonstration mission. It has been developed by TNO together with AAC Hyperion, the Group's subsidiary in the Netherlands specialised in optical communications, and other partners.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Please visit: www.aac-clyde.space or contact:
CEO Luis Gomes, [email protected]
CFO Mats Thideman, [email protected], mobile +46 70 556 09 73
The information in this press release is such that AAC Clyde Space AB (publ) shall announce publicly according to the EU Regulation No 596/2014 on market abuse (MAR). The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above, at 08:30 CEST on 26 April 2024.
ABOUT AAC CLYDE SPACE
AAC Clyde Space specialises in small satellite technologies and services that enable businesses, governments and educational organisations to access high-quality, timely data from space. Its growing capabilities bring together three divisions:
Space Data as a Service - delivering data from space directly to customers
Space missions - turnkey solutions that empower customers to streamline their space missions
Space products and components - a full range of off-the-shelf and tailor-made subsystems, components and sensors
AAC Clyde Space aims, in our chosen markets, to become a world leader in commercial small satellites and services from space, applying advances in its technology to tackle global challenges and improve our life on Earth.
The Group's main operations are located in Sweden, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, South Africa and the USA, with partner networks in Japan and South Korea.
AAC Clyde Space's shares are traded on Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market. The Company's Certified Adviser is Carnegie Investment Bank AB (publ). The share is also traded on the US OTCQX-market under the symbol ACCMF.
ABOUT NXTGEN HIGHTECH
This project is made possible in part by a contribution from the National Growth Fund program NXTGEN HIGHTECH, which is about to be launched. This program will invest as much as € 1 billion until 2030 with over 330 partners, in more than 60 projects and in six essential domains. In doing so, NXTGEN HIGHTECH will make a significant contribution to the structural and sustainable economic growth in the Netherlands and offer solutions for the major societal challenges in the areas of energy transition, health, safety and food.
For more information, please visit www.nxtgenhightech.nl
DISCLAIMER
The view expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Space Agency.
