Sky and Space moves toward commercialisation as nano-satellite’s pass penultimate test
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Tech
Special Report: Nano-satellite maker Sky and Space Global is ready to start building its next-generation Pearls satellites, following a critical tick of approval.
The company (ASX:SAS) has completed a critical design review of the Pearls with Europe-based Gomspace, a NASDAQ-listed contractor specialising in the construction and testing of bespoke nano-satellites.
The nano-satellites are now ready for assembly and integration, and the first batch of Pearls is due to be finished early next year.
The initial launch is still on track for 2019 and successive launches will take place until the full cohort of 200 nanosatellites is in orbit.
It’s one step closer to Sky and Space commercialising its technology which will offer reliable and affordable connectivity services to people and businesses in remote geographies.
“We are delighted to have successfully completed the critical design review with GomSpace, reaching another milestone and remaining on track for launch next year,” said CEO and managing director Meir Moalem.
“Positive results from the critical design review validate our technology, support our strategy and reaffirm our goal of providing communication technology to remote geographical locations.”
The company has been busy signing multiple binding MoUs with strategic international businesses, which they expect to convert into commercial revenue generating agreements.
It also has secured agreements with the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), a Caribbean-based inter-governmental organisation as well as deals in Indonesia and China.
What’s the big deal?
The design review is a major milestone for SAS.
GomSpace presented to SAS every technical part of the nano-sats, and after SAS was convinced it meets the requirements, the CDR was approved.
SAS concluded there were no problems with any of the hardware, software or technical components and green-lighted and the final assembly and integration.
It’s not the final review however.
Once the nano-satellites are built, they will go through more testing including a ‘space-simulation’ test before launch.
The progress positions Sky and Space to leverage the growing demand for small satellites.
A recent report from US consulting firm Frost & Sullivan has found that the launch demand for small satellites will hit 11,740 by 2023, with the revenue from the sector to exceed $70 billion by the end of that decade.
Sky and Space Global is a Stockhead advertiser.