Singapore’s Addvalue has delivered the first flight model of its Inter-satellite Data Relay System (IDRS) terminal to startup Capella Space, which will fit the terminal aboard a LEO SAR satellite slated for launch in early 2020.
This will be the first satellite to be equipped with Addvalue’s IDRS, in the planned 36-satellite constellation for Earth Observation. The IDRS, developed in partnership with Inmarsat, will allow the 36 smallsats to communicate in real-time, by way of Inmarsat’s global L-band network.
Payam Banazadeh, CEO and Founder of Capella commented, “With Addvalue terminals, Capella will be the first satellite imagery provider with real-time tasking. Capella’s mission is centered upon transformative delivery of earth imagery, fueling real-time global insights. The satellite communication expertise that Addvalue and Inmarsat offer perfectly complement this mission; and we are excited about today’s milestone and our upcoming launch.”
Payam continued, “Subsequent to the successful delivery of this first flight model, Capella has given the go ahead to Addvalue for the fabrication and supply of the next 6 flight units to be delivered in early 2020.”
Dr Colin Chan Kum Lok, Addvalue’s Chairman and CEO, remarked, “The successful delivery of the first flight IDRS terminal to Capella Space is a major accomplishment in Addvalue’s history. Over the last twenty-five years, Addvalue has been at the forefront of communication technologies. It is with great pride that we announce this very significant milestone, which marks the commencement of our IDRS system commercialization.”
Nick Shave, VP of Strategic Programmes at Inmarsat, said, “We are excited to see Capella Space become the first smallsat customer to augment and enhance their operational capability by leveraging Inmarsat’s L-band service in a new market.”
