AAC Clyde “Space-as-a service” Offer
A communications and earth-observing constellation service
Advanced [nano]satellite manufacturer, AAC Clyde Space UK (AAC Clyde), has joined forces with the European Space Agency (ESA) to develop an innovative satellite constellation service. The project, additionally co-founded by the UK Space Agency, will see the development of “10 small satellites” by AAC Clyde. As part of this three year partnership called project xSPANCION, the development and manufacturing of ten new satellites will provide space-based services to make it effortless for companies to use such services without ploughing money into related expertise in a wide array of areas.
These services which will be offered, will allow for companies to apply various satellite applications, such as Earth Observation, remote sensing and satellite communication, to address their respective business problems. The satellite constellation will fulfill businesses data demands in one go. As a single point of contact, it cuts out the necessity of carrying out space activities individually.
The satellite constellation will encourage innovation and allow for companies to develop their own innovative constellation services using the data and images provided by AAC Clyde. These services will be provided at a cheaper rate than before. Additionally, the project will increase delivery capability for the new space technology company.
AAC Clyde Space UK offer
AAC Clyde’s “space-as-a-service” offer — which is an “end-to-end mission service covering everything from design, launch and satellite operations to data delivery, will be revolutionised by the partnership project.
Space-as-a-Service provides AAC Clyde customers with various options, such as Mission analysis & spacecraft design, satellite manufacturing & delivery, launch services and much more. All the options can be tailored to suit the company’s liking.
AAC Clyde Space UK CEO Luis Gomes states that the project will revolutionise their space-as-a-service offer. This will allow it to reduce the cost of data,, messages collected, images captured. Since many companies see the need to harness space-based activities to improve their business dealings, many of those businesses are unable to show just cause for their CapEx’s to have sensors in orbit. Thus, AAC Clyde “customers will no longer have to worry about the access to space”, instead they can focus on enhancing core business services.
The core aim is to give leave to AAC Clyde to take care of the “space aspect” of things in order to allow for businesses to focus on delivering top-notch services to their customers.
Phases
Project xSPANCION, as an ESA Pioneer Partnership Project, aims to support the European Space industry by demonstrating new and innovative technologies, services and systems in space. The project has two fragmentary phases. The first phase, speculated to run until mid-2021 will deliver initial design for the next generation space-as-a-service offer. The value is estimated at 1.8m EUR. In the second phase, AAC Clyde Space intends to use its constellation services to establish and carry out data delivery agreements for its customers — this is hoped to bring additional co-funding to the project.
Once successfully completed, project xSPANCION’s first phase peak will be the manufacturing of the 10 satellites and thereafter a demonstration of 4 satellites in orbit. AAC Clyde has estimated this part to cost 17.9m EUR.
The second phase of the project will ensure that AAC Clyde Space is ready for its demanding production and constellation operations. According to the news release, Project xSPANCION will “encompasses design of a satellite platform and production process, manufacturing, licensing, and launch coordination, as well as the development of new technologies for the future constellation, such as for propulsion, inter-satellite links, safe and secure transmission of data and a customer interface”. Although quite vast and costly, several parts will be funded from development work financed through Scottish Enterprise.
Iain Stewart,UK Government Minister for Scotland remarked that “ it is fantastic to see more UK Space Agency funding being awarded to Scottish companies, highlighting the UK Government’s commitment to become a global leader in the space industry.”
UK Space Agency Chief Executive announced that the project will be a game-changer as it will see AAC Clyde Space developing new and innovative technology which will “include communication between satellites to increase data performance”.
The success of this partnership project is signalled by the vast collaboration of technologies and companies within the industry. AAC Clyde Space will not only work with ESA, the UK Space Agency, the Scottish Enterprise but also The University of Strathclyde, Alden Legal UK, UK space software giant Bright Ascension, Satellite Applications Catapult and more.
REFERENCES:
https://www.aac-clyde.space/latest/91-aac-clyde-space-to-develop-a-197-meur-innovative-constellation
