Northwood Space Tests Next-Gen Phased Array Antenna Successfully
▼ Summary
– Northwood Space has successfully tested its second-generation phased array radar, capable of communicating with spacecraft across various orbits, from near Earth to geostationary space.
– The prototype gateway connected with multiple satellites, prompting Northwood to plan commercial deployment of its antennas within months.
– The upcoming Portal antenna system aims to support 500 simultaneous spacecraft across multiple orbits, frequencies, and data rates within three years.
– Portal can deliver 1 kW of transmit power and receive sub-picowatt signals, designed for low-Earth, medium-Earth, and geostationary orbits.
– Northwood addresses a bottleneck in commercial ground stations by developing more powerful, durable, and transportable antennas, like Portal, which withstands temperatures up to 50°C.
Northwood Space has successfully tested its next-generation phased array antenna system, marking a significant leap forward in satellite communication technology. The advanced system demonstrated seamless connectivity with multiple spacecraft across various orbits, from low-Earth to geostationary positions, during recent trials. This breakthrough paves the way for commercial deployment in the near future, addressing critical gaps in ground station capabilities.
Bridgit Mendler, co-founder and CEO of Northwood Space, confirmed the prototype gateway’s performance, highlighting its ability to establish reliable links with satellites in diverse orbital ranges. The company plans to roll out its production-ready antenna system, dubbed Portal, later this year, with ambitions to support up to 500 simultaneous spacecraft connections within three years. The system’s versatility spans multiple frequencies and data rates, making it a game-changer for the rapidly expanding satellite industry.
Portal’s technical specifications are equally impressive, boasting 1 kW of transmit power and the ability to detect ultra-weak sub-picowatt signals. This level of performance ensures robust communication even under challenging conditions. Unlike traditional ground stations, which often struggle with outdated infrastructure, Northwood’s solution is built to handle the exponential growth of satellite data traffic.
The company’s vision stems from a clear industry need, existing ground stations, many decades old, are ill-equipped to manage the surge in orbital activity. Northwood’s phased array technology eliminates bottlenecks by offering scalable, high-throughput connectivity. Early field tests last October in North Dakota revealed initial hurdles, but engineers quickly refined the system, leading to the development of a more durable second-generation prototype.
Enhancements include improved ruggedness, portability, and a liquid cooling system that allows operation in extreme temperatures up to 50°C (122°F). These upgrades ensure reliability in harsh environments while streamlining mass production for global deployment. With demand for satellite bandwidth soaring, Northwood’s innovation positions it as a key player in modernizing ground-based space infrastructure.
(Source: Ars Technica)