NexSat Space Systems Corporation (NexSat), a new company focused on advancing satellite communications, has announced its first major product breakthrough – ACE (Aero Conformal ESA). This industry-first, fully integrated Ku/Ka-band electronically steered antenna (ESA), dubbed “The Invisible Antenna,” is designed to seamlessly integrate into platforms while delivering high-performance connectivity.
ACE is a fully conformal, embedded Ku/Ka-band ESA, enabled through Qorvo beamformer IC (BFIC) technologies and SATCOM systems expertise in a resilient composite matrix.
Leveraging Qorvo’s latest advances in BFIC technology and phased-array systems expertise, the ultra-thin, conformal architecture minimizes aerodynamic drag while delivering continuous multi-orbit connectivity across dynamic flight envelopes, including high-G, supersonic, and hypersonic regimes. This revolutionary system seamlessly embeds the antenna into aircraft surfaces using a patented 3D robotic Additive Manufacturing and Compression Mold (AM-CM) process, eliminating the need for traditional radomes and external apertures.
“With NexSat’s launch, we’re on a mission to rewrite the antenna rulebook with our Aero Conformal Electronically Scanned Array (A.C.E.), bringing a smartphone-like simplicity to users and ubiquitous coverage anywhere in the world,” said David Horton, founder and CEO, NexSat.
Working with Qorvo, a leading provider of connectivity and power solutions, NexSat will deliver the next wave of global connectivity to the SATCOM and aero market.
“ACE’s fully integrated Ku/Ka capability, combined with our AM-CM process, delivers performance and reliability once considered impossible,” said Horton. “This technology revolutionizes connectivity for today’s business, commercial and defense aircraft, while establishing the foundation for the next generation of supersonic and hypersonic platforms.”
“The collaboration with NexSat highlights how Qorvo’s advanced beamforming IC technology can accelerate innovation across the aerospace communications market,” said Ryan Jennings, director of SATCOM and Systems Engineering at Qorvo. “Our proven capabilities in RF integration and system architectures are key enablers for high-performance, reliable connectivity across new flight domains.”
Serving Aircraft Connectivity Needs
ACE addresses the need for modern aircraft connectivity, targeting business jet aircraft first, with scaled versions for narrow-body and wide-body commercial aircraft in development. ACE supports multi-orbit, multi-network and multi-band requirements, including Ku/Ka and L-band.
Delivering Aerodynamic Advantage to Hypersonic, UAS Platforms
As the first “invisible,” structurally embedded antenna system engineered for speed and performance, ACE is also suitable for any platform across commercial and defense applications, unmanned aerial systems (UAS), and high-speed aerospace platforms such as hypersonic aircraft learn more about NexSat product capabilities.
Through ACE, NexSat Space Systems Corporation is redefining what’s possible in aerospace communications – delivering the world’s first truly invisible, structurally embedded, electronically steerable antenna system, engineered for the edge of speed, space and performance.