Swissto12 additively manufactured all-metal patch antennas. Photo: Swissto12

Fleet Space Technologies has selected Swissto12 to deliver additively manufactured all-metal patch antennas for its C4 and C5 satellites. Swissto12, which develops advanced engineered Radio Frequency (RF) products for aerospace applications, said in a Feb. 9 release that this delivery will be the first of its kind. 

The contract will include the manufacturing with Swissto12’s patented and space qualified additive manufacturing processes specially optimized for RF applications. Fleet Space said the Centauri 4, or C4 payload will provide the most powerful communication nanosatellite in Low-Earth Orbit (LEO), with the ability to connect millions of gateways for the Internet of Things (IoT) market. 

Fleet Space CEO Flavia Tata Nardini commented: “I have never been so excited by a technological breakthrough such as this latest generation of the payload. This and the new 3D printed antennas that my amazing team have built at Fleet Space. We can finally demonstrate how powerful nanosatellites can be in the comms world.”