Australian satellite developerFleet Spacehas revealed plans to launch a new generation of 3D printed small satellites in the next 12 months, called Alpha.
Alpha声称自己是世界上第一个完全3D印刷的卫星，将整合该公司的先进波束成型技术和获得专利的天线，以更快地和更多位置解锁更大的连接。
“It is Fleet Space’s vision that everyone, everywhere, has access to unlimited connectivity, no matter where they are on the globe, in cities, remote regions, on land or navigating the oceans,” said Flavia Tata Nardini, CEO and Founder of Fleet Space. “Our recent Series B investment empowered us to realize this vision by embarking on a bold new strategy.”
瞄准无限的连通性
Fleet Space made history by launching Australia’s first four commercial nanosatellites into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) back in 2018, namely its Proxima 1 and 2 and its Centauri 1 and 2 satellites. The firm has since continued work on its Centauri program and launched its fifth and sixth satellites earlier this year.
Last month, the company secured $26.4 million in Series B funding to bolster its mission to provide global satellite Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity. Upon the funding announcement, Fleet Space was valued at $126 million and backed by the likes ofArtesian Venture Partners，，，，黑鸟冒险，，，，Grok Ventures，，，，andHorizons Ventures，，，，among others.
Fleet Space has a history of firsts within advanced manufacturing, including a world-first in metal 3D printing patch antennas for small satellites which delivered 10 times more throughput per kilo of spacecraft. Now, the company is funneling its expertise and fresh capital into creating a new generation of small satellites with improved connectivity capabilities.
“This new chapter in our story is led by the development of a new constellation of satellites named Alpha, which will work in harmony with our existing Centauri constellation,” said Nardini. “Alpha represents a major step forward and the first time a satellite has been created entirely through 3D printing.
“By bringing together the creation, deployment, and service of space technology this is a clear statement of our intent to become a global leader in space technology, and to support Australia’s ambition to lead this critical field.”
阿尔法星座
Fleet Space’s new alpha constellation will sit alongside its existing Centauri satellites, which are among the world’s most advanced space communications systems. The company plans to leverage the experience and learnings from its growing constellation of small satellites to develop the Alpha and subsequently expand its coverage reach. The firm hopes to provide down to sub-seconds latency to deliver a cost-effective means of providing “unprecedented” connectivity more quickly and in more locations.
根据舰队空间的说法，阿尔法将代表世界上第一个完全3D印刷卫星。该卫星将与该公司的高级数字波束形成技术集成，该技术使用多个3D打印的全金属天线以及数字信号处理功能。
The technology generates a high number of highly-directional low-interfering beams in point-to-point satellite communications to substantially increase the throughput of customer IoT data and subsequently service a higher number of customer terminals at once. This process delivers a high spectral efficiency which improves quality of service through enhanced frequency reuse, faster data rates, and more robust links.
The beamforming technology will be integrated into the LEO Alpha, which is not much larger than half a square meter, in another “world first” claimed by the company.
与Fleet Space最新的卫星Centauri 4中的四个，Alpha最多将拥有该公司金属3D印刷贴片天线的64个，其性能增加了16倍，而重量仅为四倍。
The Alpha satellite is estimated to be ready for launch in around 12 months, and represents a “fundamental shift” for Fleet Space as it expands the scope of its R&D arm. The Alpha will add to Fleet Space’s LEO small satellite network, which it is aiming to expand to a 140-strong constellation.
加强澳大利亚的太空领域
Fleet Space’s recent Series B funding marks a firm commitment to Australia’s burgeoning space industry, the company says, and will lead to the creation of 70 new jobs, many of which will be in STEM positions.
在宣布这一消息时，创新与技能部长戴维·皮森（David Pisoni）议员说：“舰队太空技术的增长和这一资金的成功完成，这是对澳大利亚和南澳大利亚太空行业持续发展的肯定。部门。
“在支持舰队中，马歇尔自由党政府正在支持在南澳大利亚创造高技能的工作，并将轨迹绘制到澳大利亚航天局所说的目标，目的是在2030年之前建立120亿英镑的行业。”
Aside from Fleet, there have been several recent additive manufacturing developments from other players in Australia’s space sector. Back in 2018, Australia’sCommonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation(CSIRO) highlighted the importance of 3D printing for the development of the country’s space sector and它可以在实现“ Space 2.0”中发挥的作用。
Since then, Melbourne-based metal 3D printer manufacturerTitomichas partnered with fellow Australian space firm吉尔莫太空技术到3D打印高性能火箭和空间组件for Gilmour’s launch vehicles. More recently, Titomic teamed up with on-demand production providerRomar Engineering到确保AUD 810万美元的赠款，该公司将分别用于生产和商业化卫星零件以及用于未来空间任务的流体和运动控制系统。
同时，原始的of University of Technology Sydney(UTS) recently carried out a pilot project withNano Dimension，一家工业3D打印机的制造商，用于加性电子产品（AMES）雷电竞app下载利用5G的功率为太空行业and advance 3D printed millimeter-wave and terahertz antennas and circuits.
在其他地方，澳大利亚金属3D打印机OEMAML3Dannounced plans to make its首次进入太空行业with a partnership with an unnamed aerospace firm, while Australian cold spray 3D printer manufacturerspee3dunveiled its own plans to “revolutionize” the space sector withlow-cost metal 3D printed rocket engines。
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Featured image shows狮子座的Alpha小卫星的渲染。通过车队空间图像。
