Hyderabad-based XDLINX Labs, an end-to-end nano and microsatellite platform developer, announced that it has secured a contract with US-based Almagest Space Corporation to build, launch, and operate in-orbit XDLINX's XDSAT-NS satellite integrated with the world's first miniaturized space-grade E-band communication payload developed by XDLINX for Almagest.

The satellite, which will be powered by Antaris Space's Cloud Software Platform and SatOS onboard software, will support Almagest's Elevation E-band technology demonstration mission in low-earth-orbit (LEO) planned for mid-late 2024.

XDLINX will execute the Elevation mission in collaboration with Antaris and Ananth Technologies, an India-based aerospace technology company. This mission will provide Almagest with the foundation for its planned E-band global LEO two-way optically connected satellite network for ultra-high throughput data delivery services. Almagest will then begin network deployment and provide limited commercial service with its two-satellite TwinStar mission planned for 2025-2026.

Commenting on the development, Rupesh Gandupalli, XDLINX's CEO and Co-founder, said, "This cooperation with Almagest represents a pivotal step forward in pushing the boundaries of space technology. We are proud to lead the charge in unlocking E-band's transformative potential, redefining the future of space communication, and ushering in a new era of unparalleled connectivity."

Tom Barton, Antaris' CEO and Co-Founder, said, "We are pleased to be a part of Almagest's ground-breaking first mission. It is a perfect use case demonstrating how our Antaris Space Software platform can enable a very rapid mission timeline." 

"Ananth Technologies is pleased to be collaborating with Almagest and XDLINX on this novel demonstration project as the systems manufacturing and Satellite AIT partner," added Dr. Subba Rao Pavuluri, Chairman and Managing Director of Ananth Technologies.

Almagest's CEO and Co-founder, Raghu Das, said, "The commercial development of space-based E-band technologies is rapidly accelerating due to ever-increasing global demand for high-capacity systems that deliver high throughput data at a reasonable cost. Our Elevation mission is the first step towards creating a robust global constellation that will provide truly high-throughput services to meet high-capacity demand anywhere in the world, and we are very excited to be working with XDLINX and its partners to make our vision become a reality. We look forward to moving beyond Elevation and start providing early commercial point-to-point services commencing with our two-satellite TwinStar mission by 2026 before moving into high gear with the continued phased deployment of our planned gen-1 multi-satellite global constellation."  

Click here to learn more about XDLINX lab's XDSAT-NS Satellite Platform.

Click here to learn more about Almagest Space's E-band Communication Technology.