Nichols Martin
SES' government solutions business and Isotropic Systems will collaborate on a two-phase initiative to evaluate the potential of a multibeam satellite terminal for military connectivity under a contract from the Air Force Research Laboratory and the Army Research Engineering Team.
The industry team will help the two service branches test Isotropic terminal prototypes developed for use with SES’ O3b constellation of medium Earth orbit satellites, according to a joint statement released Thursday.
Phase 1 will focus on over-the-air testing through early fall and the next phase is scheduled to commence early next year for the demonstration of satellite beam linking with optical lens technology.
Isotropic plans to link one optical beam to a geostationary satellite and another beam to an MEO satellite during the evaluation.
"As we get ready for the launch of our O3b mPOWER MEO constellation and SES-17 GEO satellite late next year, it is vital that we work with the U.S. government to better understand their requirements, and to partner with companies like Isotropic Systems to help us meet those needs," said Pete Hoene, president and CEO of SES Government Solutions.
