Fleet Space Technologies’ has announced the successful demonstration of satellite-enabled Push-to-Talk (PTT) capabilities as part of the Defence Space Command-funded ASCEND2LEO project.
SmartSat Cooperative Research Centre (SmartSat) and Safety from Space supported Fleet Space by adapting a variant of the ‘Beagle’ communications waveform, which Fleet Space implemented on the Centauri-4 satellite for this demonstration.
Voice capabilities for Fleet Space’s Centauri satellite were enabled via a software update, establishing a proof of concept for the Regenerative Voice System architecture underlying the ASCEND2LEO program. As a result, this demonstration validated the ability of microsatellite constellations to deliver SATCOM capabilities at scale.
“Enabling an entirely new voice capability for a satellite that is already in orbit is a tremendous technical accomplishment," said Peter Kerr, SmartSat’s Defence & National Security Coordinator, who drove the concept for SmartSat’s involvement in the project by adapting and delivering the Beagle waveform.
"With this proof of concept, SmartSat is playing a critical role in helping the Australian industry develop SATCOM resiliency for Australian Defence and validate the Regenerative Voice System architecture, a powerful and ambitious approach undertaken by the ASCEND2LEO program.”
During the live demonstration hosted by the Defence Science & Technology Group (DSTG), Fleet Space’s PTT capabilities met performance criteria for one-way voice transmission including voice quality, reliability, and link persistence.
"Our demonstration of PTT for the ASCEND2LEO program is the latest example of Fleet Space’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation to meet the rapidly evolving and complex needs of the Australian Defence Force,” said Matt Pearson, Co-Founder & Chief Exploration Officer at Fleet Space.
“By successfully delivering a software update to our Centauri satellite while in orbit, we are proud to be the developer and operator of the world’s smallest known voice-enabled satellite, creating new innovation pathways to advance new capabilities for the global space industry and beyond.”
The ‘Beagle’ waveform technology was first demonstrated in SmartSat’s Resilient Emergency and Search and Rescue Communications project, to develop an enhanced emergency safety beacon using next-generation satellites, particularly in remote locations.
A variant of the Beagle waveform was delivered to Fleet Space for their ASCEND2LEO program, following the signing of a $6.4 million contract with Defence Space Command, to deliver tactical voice and data transmission where connectivity is limited.