• SAS has successfully completed the Critical Design Review (“CDR”) for its Pearls nano-satellites and is now advancing the project to the construction and integration phase.
• Significant milestone achieved with the presentation of key hardware and software requirements by SAS’ aerospace partner GomSpace.
• First launch of the “Pearls” remains on track for 2019, with successive launches to proceed in the following quarters until the entire constellation of ~200 nano-satellites are in orbit in 2020.
• Multiple binding MoU agreements signed with strategic international telecom partners, are expected to be converted into commercial revenue generating agreements in due course.
• CDR supports the business model of providing low cost communications solutions to individuals and businesses in remote geographies.
Sky and Space Global Ltd a New Space UK company listed in the Australian Stock Exchange, has completed the Critical Design Review (“CDR”) of the Pearls satellite, which now allows the company to immediately proceed with assembly and integration of the nanosatellite network, the company announced. The CDR process was undertaken by global aerospace construction partner GomSpace (SS: GOMX) a European based, Nasdaq listed contractor, specializing in the construction and testing of bespoke nano-satellites.
SAS will deploy a constellation of 200 highly sophisticated nano-satellites over the Equatorial Belt. The network of nano-satellites will provide around the clock affordable voice, data, instant messaging, M2M and IoT communications, enabling SAS to implement its vision to provide communication services to Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime.
SAS services will also bring to the equatorial region a huge range of life saving and other services, including search and rescue, disaster management, emergency response, security alarms and recreational tracking. This is in addition to many other services including cellphone applications, offshore communications, smart farming, interactive TV, airplane, vessel and animal tracking, water and electric metering, grid monitoring and ATM.
“We have successfully completed the CDR with GomSpace, reaching another milestone and remaining on track for next year’s planned launch,” says Meir Moalem, Co-founder, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at SAS. He added that the positive results from the CDR validate the company’s technology, supports its strategy aimed at achieving the goal of providing connectivity to remote geographical locations.
The CDR process assesses all technical components including; schedule, overall design, altitude control performance and system budgets (mass, power and link), to ensure each part is of the highest quality and meets the required standard to progress to the construction phase.
The review concluded that the design presented by GomSpace to SAS complies with the requirements, and the Pearls can now progress to assembly and integration, which will also be undertaken by GomSpace. Assembly and integration are scheduled to commence immediately and construction of the first batch of Pearls is expected to be completed on time for the planned launch.
Once construction and integration are complete, the nano-satellites will then pass through additional technical assessments and testing including a final acceptance test before launch. This represents an important milestone for SAS and signifies the next step in implementing its business model for providing reliable and affordable connectivity services to individuals and businesses in remote geographies.