LOGAN, Utah — Oxford Space Systems announced the successful deployment Aug. 7 of its Yagi very high frequency, high gain antenna. The U.K. company released images showing Yagi deploy on the Ymir-1 maritime communications satellite.
“This is a major step for us in demonstrating our deployable technology and increasing the credibility of our solutions,” Juan Castillo, Oxford Space Systems business development manager, told SpaceNews. “This antenna enables ship tracking and communication from low-cost platforms.”
AAC Clyde Space, Saab and Orbcomm collaborated on the Ymir-1 mission. The mission is focused on enhancing maritime communication through the VHF Data Exchange System.
“The successful deployment of the Yagi antenna on Ymir-1 marks a significant step forward in our mission to enhance maritime communications,” Luis Gomes, CEO of AAC Clyde Space, said in a statement. “This collaboration with Oxford Space Systems is a testament to the innovation and partnership that drive our industry forward.”
Compact Stowage
Oxford Space Systems designed and manufactured the Yagi antenna with proprietary materials and techniques. The antennas can be stowed within a one-unit cubesat, which measures 10 centimeters on a side. When deployed, the antenna operates from the 156.5 megahertz to 162.5 megahertz band.
“We are thrilled to see our Yagi antenna successfully deployed on the Ymir-1 satellite,” said Sean Sutcliffe, Oxford Space Systems CEO, said in a statement. “This achievement not only demonstrates our expertise in deployable antenna technology but also highlights the importance of collaboration in advancing global maritime communication.”