Clutch Space Systems
Single ‘micro’ ground station tracks and communicates with 20 satellites, simultaneously
Clutch Space is disrupting the $7.5bn satellite ground station market using a low-cost, digitally-controlled antenna system that enables more efficient communications for low Earth orbit satellites.
The demand in satellite communications has risen exponentially due to the growing number of satellite launches. However, the antenna systems currently in use in the industry are still comparable to systems used in the Apollo era, reliant on massive reflector dish antennas and dedicated buildings or fields, in order to reach single satellites in low earth orbit. After developing their software-defined radio frequency signal processing chain, Clutch Space realised the need for an equally flexible, robust, and novel antenna system, which is an essential part of their aim to deliver a fundamental change in the way satellites are operated and used in low Earth orbit.
“We’re strong on the space systems side, but developing new and novel antenna concepts was something we were looking to improve. Considering that the 5G/6G Innovation Centre at the University of Surrey has extensive experience in antenna development and testing, particularly in miniaturisation and space applications, defining and driving this leap of technology and approach through strong academic research support, funded by SPRINT, was pivotal to the success of the project.”
Martin Philp
CEO and Co-founder of Clutch Space Systems
Actions taken
To support the development of a new prototype system, Clutch Space secured funding from the SPRINT business support programme. This enabled the company to collaborate with the University of Surrey and access expertise and facilities, including the University’s 5G/6G Innovation Centre, which is pioneering the next generation of information and communication technologies.
A new low-cost, software-defined ground station was designed to offer S-band telemetry, tracking and command to low Earth orbit satellites. The implementation of the ground station required an innovative and simple digitally-controlled antenna design, along with advanced software-defined back-ends and cloud-based server infrastructure.
The SPRINT project accelerated the development and testing of an experimental prototype to form the baseline for a production version that can be deployed as part of a demonstration network. This involved designing, developing, testing and validating the antenna in an anechoic chamber.
Outcome/ impact
The next generation system will provide 100% global availability, greater than 10 times lower operating costs per contact, and with more than 20 times the capacity of traditional systems, an unparalleled capacity for new space and traditional space operators. The satellite operator will no longer need to schedule a pass, or wait for the latest update before engaging an action, and they will have persistent connectivity for supervised autonomy, a critical aspect as the missions going into orbit become more complex.
With the growth of LEO satellites there’s a growing demand for low-cost antenna solutions suitable for satellite links to be scattered over the globe. This work plays an important part in that world-changing engineering plan.
The future
The next phase of development is extending the project into a three-unit demonstrator network, which is attracting considerable commercial interest and private investment. A global rollout will then be planned.
Clutch Space are also talking to the University of Surrey about further design iterations and additional next generation developments for satellite communications including for deep space and cis-lunar systems.
Organisations involved
Clutch Space Systems Ltd
University of Surrey
Surrey Research Park