SWISSto12 provides RF products to Northrop Grumman for GEOStar-3 satellite program

Written by Copernical Team Tuesday, 14 May 2024 13:28

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Berlin, Germany (SPX) May 13, 2024

St12 RF Solutions, the US-based division of SWISSto12, has successfully developed, qualified, and delivered three integrated RF Antenna Feed Chains for the Northrop Grumman commercial GEOStar-3 satellite. The qualification was completed in January 2024, with the delivery of these feed chains marking a key milestone in payload integration for the satellite. The RF Antenna Feed Chains, featu

SWISSto12 provides RF products to Northrop Grumman for GEOStar-3 satellite program
by Robert Schreiber
Berlin, Germany (SPX) May 13, 2024

St12 RF Solutions, the US-based division of SWISSto12, has successfully developed, qualified, and delivered three integrated RF Antenna Feed Chains for the Northrop Grumman commercial GEOStar-3 satellite. The qualification was completed in January 2024, with the delivery of these feed chains marking a key milestone in payload integration for the satellite.

The RF Antenna Feed Chains, featuring integration of diplexers, filters, polarizers, and horn apertures, are produced using SWISSto12's proprietary Radio Frequency Additive Manufacturing (RFAM) technology. This method, which utilizes 3D printing, allows for optimal design and assembly to achieve reduced size and weight, while adhering to stringent performance standards required for the GEOStar-3 program.

Since its inception in 2011, SWISSto12 has been at the forefront of developing advanced Additive Manufacturing technology for RF applications, overcoming traditional manufacturing constraints that affected performance, weight, size, and cost. The RFAM technology supports the production of complex, unique designs previously unattainable, improving manufacturing tolerances, surface finishes, and plating techniques.

Scott Wolf, Managing Director of St12 RF Solutions, commented, "SWISSto12 is delighted to announce this first delivery to Northrop Grumman of cutting-edge Radio Frequency Antenna Feed Chains for its commercial GEOStar-3 program. Our novel Radio Frequency Additive Manufacturing coupled with advanced monolithic designs enabled by 3D printing has created a new benchmark in Antenna Feed Chain size, weight and performance. Our Radio Frequency and HummingSat geostationary SmallSat business has delivered over $200 million in customer orders to date, validation of our mission to push the limits of existing payload capabilities to better protect and connect every corner of the world."