Anywaves working with Loft Orbital YAM-series

France USA SatCom Earth Observation

Loft Orbital’s YAM Missions for Flexible Satellite Operations

Loft Orbital is a leader in space infrastructure, specializing in shared satellite platforms that simplify access to space. By hosting multiple payloads on a single satellite bus, their YAM (Yet Another Mission) series enables cost-effective, scalable solutions for commercial and scientific applications, ranging from IoT connectivity to Earth observation and advanced technology demonstrations.

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YAM Missions

The YAM (Yet Another Mission) series by Loft Orbital represents a scalable approach to hosting diverse payloads on shared satellite platforms. Missions such as YAM-3, YAM-5, and YAM-6 have successfully demonstrated the flexibility of this model, accommodating payloads for applications including IoT connectivity, RF technology testing, Earth observation, and virtual mission operations. The YAM series aims to streamline access to space for both commercial and governmental clients by leveraging a standardized, rapid-deployment approach.

Client's Needs

For the YAM series, Loft Orbital required:

Reliable Communication: Robust telemetry, tracking, and command (TT&C) links to manage multiple payloads simultaneously.
Compact Integration: Lightweight antennas that could fit within the tight constraints of standardized satellite buses.
Operational Versatility: Communication systems capable of functioning in diverse mission profiles, from IoT to scientific research.
Durability: Antennas that withstand the harsh conditions of space, including radiation, thermal extremes, and vacuum.

Why Anywaves

Loft Orbital selected Anywaves’ S-band antennas for their:

Performance Reliability: Consistent and high-gain communication capabilities, essential for TT&C.
Compact Design: Lightweight, <1U antennas that maximize payload space.
Technical Versatility: Hemispherical coverage and circular polarization (LHCP/RHCP) for flexible mission needs.
Space Qualification: Proven durability against space conditions such as extreme temperatures and electrostatic discharge (ESD).

For the YAM series, Loft Orbital required:

Reliable Communication: Robust telemetry, tracking, and command (TT&C) links to manage multiple payloads simultaneously.
Compact Integration: Lightweight antennas that could fit within the tight constraints of standardized satellite buses.
Operational Versatility: Communication systems capable of functioning in diverse mission profiles, from IoT to scientific research.
Durability: Antennas that withstand the harsh conditions of space, including radiation, thermal extremes, and vacuum.

Loft Orbital selected Anywaves’ S-band antennas for their:

Performance Reliability: Consistent and high-gain communication capabilities, essential for TT&C.
Compact Design: Lightweight, <1U antennas that maximize payload space.
Technical Versatility: Hemispherical coverage and circular polarization (LHCP/RHCP) for flexible mission needs.
Space Qualification: Proven durability against space conditions such as extreme temperatures and electrostatic discharge (ESD).

Product Chosen

S-Band TT&C Antenna

Anywaves S-Band antenna is our flagship S-Band TT&C (Telemetry, Tracking and Control) antenna with a strong flight heritage and a TRL 9.

Perfectly suited to LEO platforms, Anywaves S-Band TT&C Antenna operates both in transmission for telemetry and in reception for telecommand.

Its wide beam coverage enables the best satellite availability for TT&C link. In pair work, Anywaves S-band TT&C antenna provides an omni-directional coverage to enhance the satellite availability.

CNESAdvance & CNES SME Labels
Full Duplex Telemetry & Telecommand
Radome protection against harsh environment
Acceptance Tests included
Test cap compatible
ITAR Free

Discover our S-Band TT&C Antenna

Loft Orbital YAM 2 and YAM 3 satellites in orbit 1

Results

Anywaves’ S-band antennas contributed significantly to the success of Loft Orbital’s YAM missions:

YAM-3 (June 2021): Enabled reliable communication for multi-payload operations, including DARPA’s Blackjack program and Eutelsat’s IoT connectivity payload.

YAM-5 (January 2023): Supported RF Space Lab and other experimental payloads, facilitating in-orbit testing for Kinéis and other clients.
YAM-6 (March 2024): Provided consistent TT&C for virtual mission capabilities, integrating diverse payloads such as hyperspectral imaging and software-defined radios.

Missions Supported

2021

First Launch

2024

Last Launch

2–4 GHz

Frequency Range

“The meaning of this partnership with Anywaves stems from an intimate knowledge of the technology. Each of us focuses on their area of expertise and that is how we can bring the cost and delays down which is exactly what the customers want right now.”