Map of planned Capricorn Space coverage. Photo: Capricorn Space

Capricorn Space secured licenses from the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), allowing the company to establish ground infrastructure to support a diverse range of satellite missions.

Founded in early 2018 and funded by the Knowles Group, Capricorn Space will finalize site and infrastructure selection with plans to begin commercial service in early 2019. Initial sites will be established on the west and southeast coasts of Australia, enabling satellites to be accessed across much of the southern hemisphere. Initial licenses have been secured in Ultra High Frequency (UHF), and S and X frequency bands, which are expected to attract SmallSat and CubeSat operators.

Capricorn Space intends to use partnerships with existing international infrastructure providers to improve the capability of satellite operators to control and distribute information from their space assets.