Image courtesy of SWISSto12

Terran Orbital subsidiary Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems has partnered with 3D-printed telecommunications equipment provider SWISSto12 to manufacture mini-GEO satellites, the companies announced Aug. 29.

Tyvak will provide mission operations, platform, and payload expertise, and SWISSto12 will contribute end-to-end telecom payload and 3-D printed RF products. With both companies’ engineering teams from both Europe and the U.S. working together, the partners will aim to deliver low-cost, customized mini-GEO satellites covering frequency bands from X-band to Ka-band and Q/V bands.

“There is a lot of opportunity in mini-GEO satellites but the pace of development and delivery is hindered by the availability of products that can truly handle the performance and cost challenges while mitigating the risks of space,” said SWISSto12 CEO and former Startup Space competitor Dr. Emile de Rijk. “We are extremely excited to partner with Tyvak to enable new mission opportunities for the satellite communications industry.

“We are very excited about this partnership to enable and accelerate cost-effective, mini-GEO missions with SWISSto12 closing the gap through expertise and new technology applications,” Tyvak COO Marco Villa said in a statement. “Tyvak has invested in GEO bus technology for years and we are pleased to extend our reach and apply agile aerospace processes to the telecommunications sector.”