The CDR process was undertaken by global aerospace construction partner GomSpace, a European based, Nasdaq listed contractor, specialising in the construction and testing of bespoke nano-satellites.
SAS says it will deploy a constellation of 200 nano-satellites over the Equatorial Belt. This network aims to provide around the clock, affordable voice, data, instant messaging, M2M and IoT communications, enabling SAS to implement its vision to provide communication services to “Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime”.
SAS also aims for its services to deliver to the equatorial region a range of life saving and other services, including search and rescue, disaster management, emergency response, security alarms and recreational tracking. This is in addition to other services including cellphone applications, offshore communications, smart farming, interactive TV, airplane, vessel and animal tracking, water and electric metering, grid monitoring and ATM.
The CDR process assesses all technical components including: schedule, overall design, altitude control performance and system budgets (mass, power and link), to ensure each part is of the highest quality and meets the required standard to progress to the construction phase.
The review concluded that the design presented by GomSpace to SAS complies with the requirements, and the Pearls can now progress to assembly and integration, which will also be undertaken by GomSpace. Assembly and integration are scheduled to commence immediately and construction of the first batch of Pearls is expected to be completed on time for the planned launch.
Once construction and integration are complete, the nano-satellites will then pass through additional technical assessments and testing including a final acceptance test before launch.
SAS says this signifies the next step in implementing its business model for providing reliable and affordable connectivity services to individuals and businesses in remote geographies.
“We have successfully completed the CDR with GomSpace, reaching another milestone and remaining on track for next year’s planned launch,” says Meir Moalem, Co-founder, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at SAS.