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Previously, available only as a managed service delivered by QuadSAT engineers, it says the system can now be also be acquired for third-party testing needs.
Quadsat’s system consists of the drones integrated with a custom RF payload, together with automation and measurement software. It is being partially funded by the ESA ARTES Core Competitiveness programme.
The managed service, which involves QuadSAT engineers carrying out the testing, will continue to be available.
It means companies can carry out their own drone-based tests and measurements on antennas and radio frequency equipment. This will be, without the need for QuadSAT engineers on site, although users will receive training from QuadSAT prior to deployment, says the company.
OneWeb is among the companies that have used the drones to use QuadSat. Pictured below is QuadSat performing in-situ verification of 10 antennas at the KSAT Svalbard Ground Station, the world´s largest and northernmost satellite station located at 78°North, in Norway. This was part of OneWeb’s ground segment rollout.
They also carried out an antenna validation campaign last year at the Telespazio teleport in Scanzano, Italy.
“While we will continue to deliver the service where it makes more sense, we anticipate many entities having to conduct ongoing tests will benefit from having their own version in house together with the training to deploy it effectively,” said the CEO of QuadSAT, Joakim Espeland.
See also: ESA funds use of drones for satellite antenna testing
