Outernet cubesat

The UK Space Agency has joined British firm Clyde Space and US-based Outernet’s project to develop a constellation of low-cost CubeSats, to provide telecommunication services to remote regions of the world.

The agency is providing funds for the project under the International Partnership Space Programme (IPSP).

IPSP is designed to support British companies’ projects with international partners to develop satellite technologies.

Clyde Space’s CubeSat expertise will facilitate Outernet’s plan to offer cheaper telecommunications infrastructure alternatives and achieve hardware independence through its own space assets.

Outernet intends to make web access free and unrestricted globally through space-based telecommunications.

"CubeSats are primarily designed to downlink images and other data to ground stations."

Outernet CEO Syed Karim said: "This project is not just about producing test hardware for Outernet to use in advancing our mission, but about refining a process that changes the entire communications industry."

CubeSats are primarily designed to downlink images and other data to ground stations. The satellites will broadcast data to handheld devices such as tablets and smartphones.

UK Space Agency CEO David Parker said: "The Outernet project is an excellent example of how international collaboration on space programmes can provide new business opportunities to the UK, whilst supporting vital areas of global space activity such as telecommunications.

"By combining expertise in space technology, we can boost innovation and widely share the considerable economic and social benefits that space can provide."

Clyde Space will initially build three 1U CubeSats for Outernet and expects to secure business from the latter to develop 200 satellites broadcasting the service.

Satellites will feature Clyde Space’s CubeSat products, including deployable solar panels, attitude control system, next-generation power management system and an onboard computer.

Image: An artistic view of Outernet CubeSat. Photo: courtesy of Clydespace.