Thea Loise Woodward
A Mitre-built antenna will be tested on Analytical Space Inc.’s three-unit cubesat to explore potential applications of the technology for government communications, intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance missions.
ASI will launch the Meshbed satellite with the Frequency-scaled Ultra-wide Spectrum Element antenna for on-orbit trials in a bid to accelerate transmission of data from spacecraft to the ground crew, Mitre said Tuesday.
The nonprofit created FUSE with the Naval Research Laboratory and secured three patents for the wideband phased array platform, which features an electromechanical interface and does not require radio frequency connectors to function.
Mitre further developed the antenna for small satellite missions using a metal additive manufacturing approach.
Jay Schnitzer, chief technology officer of Mitre, said the project showcased the organization’s “ability to take technology developed to solve a difficult challenge for one of our government sponsors and accelerate technology development via government/commercial-partnered collaborative environment.”
FUSE earned an R&D 100 award in November.
ASI started its partnership with Mitre via the Innovation Bridge program, which provides Massachusetts-based businesses an opportunity to showcase products and service offerings to federal agencies.
