SatixFy’s new Onyx Aero terminal. Photo: SatixFy

SatixFy revealed details of its Onyx Aero terminal for aviation on Monday, touting that it can simultaneously communicate with multiple satellites in multiple orbits. SatixFy said Onyx uses multi-beam electronically steered multi-beam antenna and software-defined radio (SDR) technology.

Onyx Aero is scheduled for test flights on wide-body and narrow-body aircraft in the second half of this year. This will be followed by full certification processes, anticipated in early 2023. 

SatixFy said that the Onyx Aero terminal can simultaneously communicate with multiple satellites in Geostationary, Medium-Earth and Low-Earth Orbits (GEO/MEO/LEO). The Ku-band terminal consists of a patented air-breathing radome cooling system, is fully electronic and has no moving parts. SatiFy says this will allow for simple installation, high reliability operation throughout flight altitude, and low maintenance. It integrates SatixFy’s Sx3099 SDR modem baseband ASIC for a comprehensive terminal solution. 

“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,” commented ​​Simona Gat, SatixFy president and U.K. CEO.

SatixFy previously announced a contract agreement with OneWeb to design and build an IFC terminal that will work for both the operator’s LEO network and GEO satellite networks. SatixFy did not specify any partners in Monday’s release. 

SatixFy also has a communications on the move (COTM) antenna for defense customers based on a similar platform. This antenna can be installed on a moving ground vehicle and can also be operated using GEO\LEO\MEO satellites.

The company is currently in the midst of a previously announced deal to go public through a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) merger with Endurance Acquisition Corp.