New Additively Manufactured Satellite

Development of the metal AM Alpha satellite. (Courtesy Fleet Space Technologies)

Fleet Space Technologies, Beverley, Australia, announced the planned development of a ‘constellation’ of metal AM satellites within the year. Aided by a recent $26.4 million Series B investment, the startup has expanded the scope of its dedicated R&D to create the Alpha satellite. The company believes this to be the world’s first entirely additively manufactured satellite, and it integrates Fleet’s advanced beamforming technology and patented antennas.

Fleet’s existing Centauri constellation is said to be among the world’s most advanced space communications systems. Developed in collaboration with Tyvak, Boca Raton, Florida, Fleet Space’s latest Centauri 4 small satellite is integrated with Fleet Space’s breakthrough digital beamforming technology, that uses multiple metal AM antennas. Alpha satellites will have up to 64 of these antennas on board versus only 4 in the Centauri 4.