May 11, 2022
CesiumAstro announced today that it was selected to provide its Nightingale active phased array hardware payload for CACI International, Inc.’s (NYSE: CACI) upcoming space technology demonstration. The CACI demonstration launches in early 2023 on a York Space Systems satellite into low Earth orbit aboard the SpaceX Transporter 7rideshare.
CACI recently announced it completed the Critical Design Review for the launch slated to deliver two demonstration mission payloads: an alternative positioning, navigation, and timing (APNT) payload and a tactical intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (TacISR) payload.
Nightingale’s active phased array payload is a complete hardware communications solution requiring only data and power connections. It consists of five software-defined modular components—active phased array antenna, radiofrequency converters, software-defined radio, single-board computer, and power conditioning—providing maximum flexibility through standard software programming tools. CesiumAstro customers can create their own waveforms and processing that can then be tested in-lab and ultimately deployed on-orbit.
“We’re pleased to support CACI as they pioneer new PNT and TacISR solutions for the Intelligence Community, the Department of Defense, and U.S. Government agencies,” said Shey Sabripour, CesiumAstro founder and CEO. “Our approach to a fully software-defined, off-the-shelf payload enables our customers to rapidly bring new capabilities on orbit.”
CesiumAstro’s phased array communications payloads support a wide range of civil, commercial, and defense missions requiring low-SWaP (size, weight, and power), high-data-rate communications, such as satellite operations, airborne connectivity, and ruggedized ground links for high-throughput communications and sensing applications.
