Sidus Space, an innovative, agile space mission enabler, has announced the successful completion of the critical design review for LizzieSat™ NL, a laser communication satellite contracted by The Netherlands Organization (TNO). This milestone not only validates the technical baseline for the satellite design but also triggers a milestone payment as part of the multimillion-dollar agreement.
The CDR milestone locks the space vehicle technical baseline, affirming LizzieSat™ NL’s readiness to proceed with flight-unit fabrication, assembly, system integration and testing. The completion of the major milestone moves the program closer to demonstrating TNO’s HemiCAT, a high-efficiency miniature communications laser terminal, integrated into Sidus’ hybrid 3D printed satellite platform, LizzieSat™. As part of the agreement with TNO, Sidus will manage all aspects of integration, deployment and on-orbit operation for HemiCAT.
“We are thrilled to achieve this critical milestone in the LizzieSat™ NL program, which not only advances our partnership with TNO but also demonstrates the value of our adaptable solutions and positions us at the forefront of innovation,” said Carol Craig, CEO of Sidus Space. “This milestone brings Sidus closer to harnessing the transformative power of laser communications, significantly improving data transfer rates and unlocking new opportunities for our customers.”
By utilizing laser technology, satellite operators can access much higher bandwidth compared to traditional radio frequency systems, enabling the transmission of up to 100 times more data. This increased capacity greatly enhances applications like persistent surveillance and Earth imaging, facilitating real-time insights and faster response times.