Analytical Space’s Radix Satellite Deployed From International Space Station
Radix, the first satellite from Analytical Space, was successfully deployed from the International Space Station early this morning via the NanoRacks CubeSat Deployer. The shoebox-sized satellite had been onboard the space station since May 24th, when the Orbital ATK Cygnus spacecraft that carried it into space docked with the station as part of a resupply mission.
Radix is a proof-of-concept mission to demonstrate the capabilities required to provide a hybrid RF-optical data relay service for satellites in low-Earth orbit. Analytical Space has lined up a number of beta-test partners who will transmit data from their satellites to Radix, where it will be stored for downlink using Radix’s high-speed RF and optical systems. These partners represent a cross-section of missions—from weather data to synthetic-aperture radar—and organizations, including commercial remote sensing, academic research and civil government agencies.
Analytical Space’s backwards-compatible approach allows users of the network to offload data using their existing RF hardware, minimizing barriers to adoption for customers and making Analytical Space satellites immediately useful for satellites already in orbit. The testing done on Radix and feedback from beta testers will help inform the design of future relay satellites and the roll-out of the network.
“As we add satellites to the network, we’ll be able to significantly increase the utilization of existing and future remote sensing satellites and decrease the time between data collection in orbit and analysis on the ground,” said Justin Oliveira, co-founder and CEO. “We’re excited to enable missions with higher data generation rates, translating into data products with higher spatial, spectral or temporal resolutions or novel low-latency applications, all of which lead to more actionable insights for use in industry, government and research around the globe.”
The concept came to Oliveira during his tenure at NASA and the White House. After retiring from the public sector, he matured the idea further at Harvard Business School with his co-founder Dan Nevius and together they launched Analytical Space. In the two years that followed, the team designed and built Radix, advancing the state-of-the-art for what can be accomplished on a CubeSat platform.
Analytical Space currently resides at The Engine, the venture firm founded by MIT to invest in “tough tech” startups—companies with longer investment horizons but the potential for widespread positive impact. “Analytical Space’s vision for transforming data downlink exemplifies the innovative technology the Engine was founded to support,” said Katie Rae, CEO and managing partner of The Engine. “We are proud to foster their development as they embark on this new chapter with Radix.”
About Analytical Space, Inc.
Analytical Space is developing a network of nano-satellites that will provide a communication backbone for remote sensing satellites and remote industrial IoT applications, enabling planet-level analytics and the global industrial internet. Backed by The Engine founded by MIT, Flybridge Capital, Space Angels and other top-tier investors, ASI was founded by Harvard Business School graduates with deep experience in space technology development and policy. The team’s background includes careers at NASA, the White House, Planetary Resources, BBN, Lincoln Labs, Draper, MIT, CalTech, Florida Tech, and Harvard. The company is advised by a blue ribbon advisory committee comprised of space, government and commercial veterans. For more information please visit: www.analyticalspace.com
