LizzieSat Concept Image by Sidus Space

A research organization in the Netherlands reached a deal to deploy its laser communications technology on a future Sidus Space satellite for a tech demonstration mission. 

The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research, known as TNO, will deliver its HemiCAT miniature laser communications terminal to Sidus Space to integrate, deploy, and operate on a LizzieSat satellite. The in-orbit demonstration mission is part of a study of Dutch defense technology.

Sidus announced the multi-million dollar agreement on Wednesday. Sidus Space is developing the LizzieSat constellation, a multi-mission constellation to support custom payloads and missions, and has deals with Mission Space and Dawn Aerospace. The company also announced a new Netherlands office last year. 

“This HemiCat is an important new technology and we look forward to working with Sidus to launch and test HemiCAT as a pathfinder for future laser satellite communication systems,” Michiel Ringers, TNO business development manager said. “The Sidus team offered the best turnkey solution, designing, building, and deploying flight heritage hardware for demanding applications — the perfect combination of expertise and capabilities we look for in a partner.”