[Infostellar Co., Ltd.]
Infostellar provides ground stations from KHI, Azercosmos, and other overseas partners to Panasonic Group’s microsatellite “CURTIS” *Infostellar Co., Ltd.*
Press release: September 5, 2024
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Infostellar provides ground stations from KHI, Azercosmos, and other overseas partners to Panasonic Group’s microsatellite “CURTIS” *Supporting rapid technology demonstration of “CURTIS” in space with StellarStation*
* Ground Segment as a for orbiting satellites
Infostellar Co., Ltd. (Representative Director: Naomi Kurahara, Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; hereinafter referred to as “Infostellar”), a service (GSaaS) provider, has announced that it will use the microsatellite “CURTIS” operated by the Panasonic Group. We would like to inform you that we will be providing multiple ground stations through StellarStation. The ground stations provided by Infostellar for CURTIS will be the Gifu station belonging to Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI), the Azerbaijan ground station belonging to Azercosmos, and the South African and Bahrain ground stations belonging to other overseas partners. *
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By using StellarStation, we were able to complete the setup of four ground stations from different operators within a few months, making it possible to quickly conduct technology demonstrations. *
“CURTIS” is a satellite released from the International Space Station (ISS) in April 2024, and the technology demonstration this time mainly focuses on the following three points (quoted from the Panasonic Group press release dated April 12, 2024) .
(1) We will demonstrate the operation of the microsatellite itself, which is designed as an easy-to-assemble satellite.
(2) We will carry out technology demonstrations in space for the product lines handled by the Panasonic Group. Regarding the group of parts to be demonstrated this time, we will use parts and modules used on the ground to verify the possibility of reusing them for space applications.
(3) Technology that miniaturizes the basic bus section of a satellite and expands the volume of the mission section, using high-density circuit design technology and mounting technology cultivated in mobile terminals and product groups that require small size and light weight, and heat dissipation. We will demonstrate circuit formation technology using a thermal management unit constructed using graphite material technology with excellent properties.
In such technology demonstrations, it is common for only one ground station to be used. This is because setting up a ground station requires complex work and time, and it is not efficient to use ground stations from multiple operators for technology demonstrations. On the other hand, by using StellarStation, which networks multiple ground stations with different owners and locations, it is now possible to set up multiple ground stations in a short period of time. In addition, by adopting multiple ground stations, we increase communication opportunities with satellites in the S-band, which is common in satellite operations, and by dividing observation data and sending it to each ground station, large amounts of observation data can be transmitted. It is now possible to download the software, making it possible to quickly and effectively conduct technology demonstrations.
In addition to providing ground stations with StellarStation, Infostellar has also supported ITU international frequency
coordination and the acquisition of radio station licenses for ground stations, including satellites and overseas stations. The Kinki Telecommunications Bureau of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications will issue a wireless station license on July 22, 2024, and Infostellar will become a GSaaS (Ground
As a Segment as a Service) provider, we were able to provide comprehensive support.
Infostellar will continue to work together to support the operation of CURTIS by providing a ground station network through StellarStation. ■Comment from Naomi Kurahara, CEO of Infostellar
We are very pleased that StellarStation was able to provide multiple ground stations for the Panasonic Group’s microsatellite “CURTIS” and support the issuance of a radio station license.
Our mission is “We connect Earth and Space to empower the future” and “Be the most
effective enabler of space business by providing the best access to With the vision of “Satellite”, we hope to contribute to the success of satellite operators’ missions by comprehensively providing services related to the terrestrial segment.
We hope that the use of technical data obtained through the Panasonic Group’s demonstration will lead to the future development of the space industry.
* ■About Infostellar*
Infostellar provides GSaaS (Ground Segment as a
Service) provider. We provide ground station networks with excellent flexibility and scalability through StellarStation, a cloud platform that virtualizes ground station networks. We also provide support for ground segment operations necessary for satellite operations, such as obtaining radio station licenses and frequency adjustment services. By reducing the difficulty of building terrestrial segments, we support mission development and service improvement for companies working on new businesses that utilize satellites. Infostella is
The company was headquartered in Tokyo, Japan in 2016 and currently has offices in the UK and the US.
For more information, please visit https://www.infostellar.net/jp
StellarStation is a highly flexible and scalable cloud-based ground station platform. Satellite operators can set up once and access ground stations around the world. On the other hand, ground station owners can generate revenue by renting out ground station downtime to other satellite operators.
For more information, please visit https://www.stellarstation.com/.