Satnews Daily
September 13th, 2018

GapSat Orders Multi-Band Smallsat from Terran Orbital


GapSat has commissioned a geosynchronous satellite from Terran Orbital Corporation, a leading aerospace provider of smallsats and services.

GapSat-1 is a multi-band system offering wide band solutions in C-, Ku-, Ka- and Q/V-bands. The spacecraft will be injected directly into the geosynchronous arc. The system is equipped with an electric propulsion system that optimizes usable payload mass. The spacecraft is scheduled for launch in the third quarter 2020.

The Ka-band payload features wideband spot beams, suitable for significant traffic-carrying capability. These Ka-band spot beams are fully steerable across the visible arc promoting Internet and other high demand services. The use of the V/Q bands helps push the envelope of wideband services that can be offered via satellite. GapSat is proud to be part of this new market development effort.

Small, geosynchronous satellites are particularly well-suited to increase the capacity and the connectivity to well-defined target areas. Less CAPEX intensive by nature, this new class of satellites offers unique opportunities to scale up capacity and explore new business models for established operators and new market entrants ensuring a faster allocation of the full capacity of the satellite.

Executive Comment

Gregg Daffner, CEO at GapSat, said that the company has been working on developing the firm's own satellites for several years and it is terrific to have finally found a credible partner to execute on a technical solution that meets all business objectives. Terran Orbital showed a unique business approach defining a highly flexible, reconfigurable satellite at a cost that closes the company's business case and will provide customers with the tailored capacity they need.