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This is the startup that builds microsatellites the size of a smartphone
Elon Musk's SpaceX is in the course of acquiring Swarm Technologies, a company that has probably gone under the radar all this time, although it has a lot to offer. Similar to what SpaceX is doing with its Starlink satellites, Swarm is also building a satellite network for ground communications. But there is an important difference, its satellites do not exceed the size of a smartphone.
SpaceX is taking over Swarm and all of its operations on
Earth and in space, according to documents provided to US authorities and a
report from CNBC. Currently, the company has hundreds of microsatellites
already launched into space, as well as interesting and coveted licenses from
the FCC (US Department of Communications) from which SpaceX will benefit.
11 x 11 x 2.8 cm satellite television
One of the maximum interesting things about Cloud is probably its moons, which they describe as "the smallest commercial satellites in space." They degree only 11 x 11 x 2.8 cm and weigh 400 grams each. In context, the rough size and weight of a smartphone.
This small size has enormous advantages such as production
costs or especially start-up costs. As they are so small, they can be easily
stacked and launched on a rocket. Swarm indicates that the cost is
"small" compared to traditional CubeSat satellites.
How did they get such small companions? Using exactly the technology used in smartphones. Instead of filling each satellite with hundreds of cables, everything is built and designed on a board like a smartphone.
Roy's goal? Similar to Starlink's goal: to offer Internet
connectivity from anywhere in the world. Of course, no promising streaming
movies or low-ping online video games. Swarm has focused more on connections
that don't require a lot of data, particularly on IoT devices.
The idea was to be able to connect thousands of sensors and devices on the earth's surface to collect and transmit data. For example, small weather bases in remote areas that send data in real time to make more accurate weather forecasts. It can also be useful, for example, to determine the exact position of the ships (SpaceX has a similar idea for Starlink).
The deal with SpaceX will allow Swarm to become a subsidiary
of SpaceX. SpaceX will receive not only Swarm technology, but also licenses
from the FCC for satellite and ground stations. In fact, these licenses are
likely to be one of the main factors that led Space to acquire Swarm due to the
frequent difficulty in obtaining wireless licenses from the FCC.
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