Deke Space Communicator will Help with FCC Deorbit Rule Compliance
The Deke Space Communicator in development by Solstar Space will provide a communications solution to support end-of-life decommissioning of spacecraft in accordance with the new FCC rule for deorbiting LEO Satellites, according to the company.
"Any organization launching spacecraft into low earth orbit has a responsibility to ensure there are redundant systems onboard for monitoring, managing, and deorbiting assets throughout the lifecycle. This will become a necessity as LEO becomes increasingly congested."
Brian Barnett, CEO, Solstar Space.
When installed on satellites prior to initial launch, the Solstar Deke Space Communicator will give satellite operators persistent communications with low earth orbit (LEO) assets, even when out of range of ground stations.
"Deke Space Communicators will make it simple for satellite operators and constellation owners to communicate with spacecraft to comply with regulations aimed at managing space debris. In addition, it can provide timely connectivity that supports anomaly resolution actions and collision avoidance maneuvers," says Brian Barnett, CEO, Solstar Space. "Any organization launching spacecraft into low earth orbit has a responsibility to ensure there are redundant systems onboard for monitoring, managing, and deorbiting assets throughout the lifecycle. This will become a necessity as LEO becomes increasingly congested."
Deke Space Communicator Issues Commands Immediately
"With the Deke Space Communicator designed into spacecraft during manufacturing, it provides a method for deorbiting LEO assets at the end-of-life, thereby avoiding creation of even more space debris in the future. This small, lightweight, and reliable communications solution is straightforward to add to any spacecraft. It will provide a narrowband connection designed to allow satellite operators to issue commands immediately instead of waiting for a ground station to come into view of the satellite. This instantaneous communications path provides peace of mind and ensures long-term security for LEO spacecraft," said Paul Frey, Director, Product Development, Solstar Space.
"Earlier prototypes of the Deke Space Communicator demonstrated persistent communications aboard Blue Origin New Shepard and sounding rocket flights. Providing a plug and play solution that will safeguard the future of spaceflight and space exploration by helping to manage space debris is a central mission for our crew here at Solstar," Frey said.
(Images provided with Solstar Space news release)