Are smaller electronically steered antenna (ESA) solutions easier to bring to market? SatixFy aims to find out, with the launch of the Onyx Aero platform. The terminal, now moving towards certification after its public unveiling at the Farnborough International Airshow last month, aims to be available for customers in the first half of 2023.
The Onyx terminal provides a great opportunity to improve in-flight experience as it is known today, and provides the level of connectivity that the entire aviation industry is looking for based on SatixFy’s in-house unique capabilities.
– Simona Gat, SatixFy’s President and UK CEO
The terminal uses SatixFy’s latest multi-beam ESMA and SDR technology to connect to both LEO and GEO Ku-band satellite constellations simultaneously to provide in-flight connectivity at high data rate speeds. The terminal delivers a low weight, low drag, small footprint design. These all help to lower costs and expand the range of aircraft the system can serve.
Read more: Intelsat goes multi-orbit with OneWeb LEO option for airlines
The Onyx Aero integrates SatixFy’s next generation Sx3099 SDR modem baseband ASIC for a comprehensive terminal solution. The terminal features a tailor-made Ku-band radome to ensure minimal RF degradation throughout its wide range of operation. The radome also includes a patented air-breathing cooling system, helping it to better dissipate the heat generated by the ESA inside.
While the Onyx Aero is smaller than some other Ku-band antenna solutions, it is also not the smallest. SatixFy chose a 1700mm X 470mm X 120mm footprint for the design. This size aims to match the ARINC-781 footprint, with an eye towards displacing SwiftBroadband L-band satellite solutions.
LEO-only ESAs from Hughes and Starlink are smaller, but don’t deliver the flexibility of multi-orbit constellation connectivity. The larger Onyx platform is necessary to include sufficient elements to connect to GEO/GSO satellites, in addition to the NGSO constellations such as OneWeb. Connecting to the geosynchronous satellites also typically requires more power, necessitating the higher cooling performance of the design.
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Also of note, some of the development costs for the Onyx Aero terminal were covered by the European Space Agency and the UK Space Agency. The European Space Agency similarly funded efforts from Viasat that were unveiled last year. Unlike SatixFy, however, Viasat sees no urgency in moving from a demo flight to a commercial offering for its esa-funded ESA.
SatixFy previously announced its intentions to become a publicly traded via a SPAC merger with Endurance Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ: EDNC).
More news from the 2022 Farnborough International Airshow
- Delta confirms 737 MAX 10 order
- Boom Overture adds engines in design revamp
- Porter Air boosts Embraer E2 commitment in advance of service launch
- Dash 8 adds IFE/C with Starlink option
- SatixFy’s Onyx Aero terminal seeks middle ground is ESA market
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