Astranis Explained

Astranis Space Technologies Corp.
Trade Name:Astranis
Type:Private
Industry:Satellite Internet
Hq Location City:San Francisco, California
Hq Location Country:U.S.
Products:Small geostationary communications satellites
Num Employees:250+
Num Employees Year:2023

Astranis Space Technologies Corp. is an American company specializing in geostationary communications satellites. It is headquartered in San Francisco, California.

In 2018, Astranis launched DemoSat-2, a prototype 3U cubesat. The launch aimed to test Software-Defined Radio (SDR) technology for future larger communications satellites.[1]

The company publicly disclosed its projects in March 2018, following a funding round that was aimed at the development of geostationary communications satellites.[2] [3]

In January 2019, Astranis initiated a commercial program with Pacific Dataport, Inc. to increase the satellite internet capacity in Alaska.[4] [5] A 350 kg satellite was launched on April 30, 2023, as part of a multi-satellite payload.[6] [7]

Astranis was part of the Winter 2016 cohort of the Y Combinator accelerator program[8] and has raised over $350 million in venture funding from firms such as BlackRock, Venrock, and Andreessen Horowitz.[9]

History

Demonstration satellite

On January 12, 2018, Astranis launched its first satellite, "DemoSat 2", using an Indian PSLV-XL rocket. The satellite was a 3U cubesat measuring 10 cm x 10 cm x 30 cm and weighing less than 3 kg. It carried a prototype of the company's software-defined radio.[10]

Geostationary satellites

Block 1

In 2019, Astranis leased its first MicroGEO spacecraft to Pacific Dataport, Inc., a subsidiary of Microcom. The satellite, named Arcturus, initially had an anticipated launch date in early 2022,[11] which was later delayed to April 2023. After the launch, the company confirmed successful communication with the satellite and hardware deployment. Subsequent tests showed the spacecraft could deliver up to 8.5 Gbps, compared to its design specification of 7.5 Gbps.[12]

In July 2023, Astranis reported a malfunction in an externally supplied solar array drive assembly on Arcturus, which affected the spacecraft's ability to provide internet service. According to Astranis CEO John Gedmark, no hardware built by Astranis failed.[13]

Block 2

In April 2022, Astranis signed a launch contract with SpaceX for their "Block 2" MicroGEO spacecraft. The company had previously initiated component orders for these spacecraft, with an initial aim to complete them by the end of 2022.[14]

Block 3

Block 3, consisting of five satellites, was originally planned to launch in mid-2024[15] but is now scheduled for 2025. Customers include Orbits Corp of the Philippines, Thaicom of Thailand, Orbith of Argentina, and Apco Networks of Mexico.[16]

Future

A replacement for Arcturus is scheduled for early 2025. Astranis CEO John Gedmark stated in April 2022 that the company aims to have over 100 satellites in active service by 2030.

Spacecraft

Launch<-- all dates UTC -->Number<-- In absence of official Astranis numbering scheme: sort by date (earlier first), then COSPAR ID for satellites on same flight (lower first) -->SpacecraftLongitudeCustomerStatus
12 January 2018,PSLV-XL—DemoSat-2
5 kg CubeSat carrying prototype software-defined radio payload.
1 May 2023,Falcon Heavy[17] 1Arcturus / Aurora 4A163°W Pacific Dataport
First MicroGEO spacecraft, customer designation Aurora 4A. Launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy in April 2023, co-manifested with primary payload Viasat-3 Americas and Gravity Space GS-1. A defect in the spacecraft's solar array drive assemblies in early July 2023 left the spacecraft with insufficient power for its primary mission. Spacecraft remains functional, with Astranis attempting to recover the spacecraft's solar arrays or repurpose it for secondary missions.
2024,Falcon 92–5Andesat-1 Andesatrowspan="4"
Anuvu-1 Anuvu
Anuvu-2
UtilitySat Pacific Dataport
"Block 2" MicroGEO spacecraft, with upgraded lifetime and throughput performance.[18] Four spacecraft will be launched by a dedicated Falcon 9 mission directly to geostationary orbit. Manifested are:
  • One of two spacecraft ordered by Grupo Andesat for "more than $90 million" to provide internet service to Peru.[19]
  • Two of eight spacecraft ordered by Anuvu (formerly Global Eagle) for maritime and aviation connectivity.[20]
  • UtilitySat, a versatile on-orbit spare planned to replace the failed Arcturus spacecraft until a dedicated replacement can be launched.
20256-10
Apco-1 Apco Networksrowspan="5"
Apco-2
unknown Orbith
Orbits Corp
Thaicom-9 Thaicom
"Block 3" MicroGEO spacecraft. Manifested are:
  • Two spacecraft ordered by Apco Networks for service to Mexico.
  • One spacecraft ordered by Orbits Corp for service to the Philippines, capacity itself contracted to telecom provider HTechCorp.
  • One spacecraft ordered by Thaicom for service to Thailand[21]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Krebs . Gunter Dirk . DemoSat 2 . Gunter's Space Page . https://web.archive.org/web/20230729183447/https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/demosat-2.htm . July 29, 2023 . live .
  2. News: Finley . Klint . Can These Small Satellites Solve the Riddle of Internet From Space? . March 1, 2018 . . Condé Nast . https://web.archive.org/web/20230729183448/https://www.wired.com/story/can-these-small-satellites-solve-the-riddle-of-internet-from-space/ . July 29, 2023 . live .
  3. News: Boyle . Alan . With $13.5M boost, Astranis unveils big plan to beam internet from small satellites . March 1, 2018 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20230729183448/https://www.geekwire.com/2018/13-5m-boost-astranis-unveils-big-plans-beam-internet-small-satellites/ . July 29, 2023 . live .
  4. News: Boyle . Alan . Astranis and Pacific Dataport team up on satellite broadband access for Alaska . January 16, 2019 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20230729183449/https://www.geekwire.com/2019/astranis-pacific-dataport-team-satellite-broadband-access-alaska/ . July 29, 2023 . live .
  5. News: Brehmer . Elwood . Microcom founder launches new satellite broadband project . January 16, 2019 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20230729183447/https://www.alaskajournal.com/2019-01-16/microcom-founder-launches-new-satellite-broadband-project . July 29, 2023 . dead . June 10, 2021 .
  6. News: Jewett . Rachel . Astranis and Infinite Orbits Confirm Success on ViaSat-3 Launch . May 1, 2023 . Via Satellite . https://web.archive.org/web/20230721180809/https://www.satellitetoday.com/launch/2023/05/01/astranis-and-infinite-orbits-confirm-success-on-viasat-3-launch/ . July 21, 2023 . live .
  7. Web site: Krebs . Gunter Dirk . ViaSat 3 Americas, APAC, EMEA . Gunter's Space Page . https://web.archive.org/web/20230326153805/https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/viasat-3.htm . March 26, 2023 . live . September 22, 2020 .
  8. Web site: . Astranis . https://web.archive.org/web/20230608211847/https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/astranis . June 8, 2023 . live .
  9. News: Sheetz . Michael . April 14, 2021 . Astranis, with a new approach to satellite internet, raises $250 million from BlackRock and others . June 15, 2021 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20230916142919/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/14/astranis-satellite-internet-raises-250-million-from-blackrock-others.html . September 16, 2023 . live .
  10. News: Shieber . Jonathan . Astranis emerges from stealth with a new satellite technology for connecting the world . March 1, 2018 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20180301150939/https://techcrunch.com/2018/03/01/astranis-emerges-from-stealth-with-a-new-satellite-technology-for-connecting-the-world/ . March 1, 2018 . live .
  11. Web site: Petition for Declaratory Ruling . 2021 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20230523150834/https://fcc.report/IBFS/SAT-PPL-20210607-00075/8982903.pdf . 23 May 2023 . live .
  12. News: Astranis says its first internet satellite is working ‘perfectly’ as company prepares to bring coverage to Alaska . May 24, 2023 . . Michael Sheetz . https://web.archive.org/web/20230916142947/https://www.cnbc.com/2023/05/24/astranis-first-internet-satellite-over-alaska-working-perfectly.html . September 16, 2023 . live . July 22, 2023.
  13. News: Sheetz . Michael . July 21, 2023 . Astranis internet satellite malfunctions before beginning Alaska service, backup planned for spring . July 22, 2023 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20230818054742/https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/21/astranis-alaska-internet-satellite-malfunctions-backup-planned.html . August 18, 2023 . live .
  14. April 5, 2022 . Astranis Space Technologies Signs Contract with SpaceX for Dedicated Multi-Satellite Launch in 2023 . Astranis . BusinessWire . https://web.archive.org/web/20230119112800/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220405005129/en/Astranis-Space-Technologies-Signs-Contract-with-SpaceX-for-Dedicated-Multi-Satellite-Launch-in-2023 . January 19, 2023 . live . July 22, 2023 .
  15. News: Sheetz . Michael . July 11, 2023 . Astranis to bring satellite internet to 2 million people in the Philippines next year . July 22, 2023 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20230906150049/https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/11/astranis-satellite-internet-coming-to-the-philippines-next-year.html . September 6, 2023 . live.
  16. News: Rainbow . Jason . Orbith orders small Astranis GEO broadband satellite for Argentina . 18 March 2024 . SpaceNews . 18 March 2024.
  17. Web site: Krebs . Gunter Dirk . Arcturus (Aurora 4A) . July 22, 2023 . Gunter's Space Page . https://web.archive.org/web/20230602231212/https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/arcturus.htm . June 2, 2023 . live.
  18. News: Rainbow . Jason . July 15, 2021 . Astranis accelerates production with four more small GEO satellites . July 22, 2023 . SpaceNews.
  19. December 7, 2021 . Andesat and Astranis Sign Landmark Two-satellite Agreement to Expand Broadband Access in Peru . July 22, 2023 . BusinessWire . Astranis . https://web.archive.org/web/20230916143047/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211207005251/en/Andesat-and-Astranis-Sign-Landmark-Two-satellite-Agreement-to-Expand-Broadband-Access-in-Peru . September 16, 2023 . live.
  20. News: Rainbow . Jason . July 27, 2021 . Anuvu orders first satellites for small GEO mobility constellation . July 22, 2023 . SpaceNews.
  21. News: Rainbow . Jason . Thaicom orders small GEO satellite from Astranis for a launch in 2025 . 18 March 2024 . SpaceNews . 6 March 2024.

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