Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, a provider of satellite ground systems and defense technologies, has been awarded a contract by Gulf Space Technology Public Company Limited (GST), formerly Thaicom, to deliver Q/V/Ka-band gateway antenna systems for THAICOM 10, a software-defined high-throughput satellite (SD-HTS). The new gateway infrastructure will provide enhanced feeder-link capacity to support the flexible operation of THAICOM 10 and accelerate the introduction of new satellite services.
The gateway infrastructure will also integrate the Kratos Monitoring & Control (M&C) System and build on the ongoing development of the GST Satellite Operations Center (SOC). Together, these systems will provide a coordinated space-to-ground operating environment as Gulf Space Technology expands its satellite and ground infrastructure capabilities.
Gulf Space Technology is modernizing its space and ground capabilities with the upcoming launch of THAICOM 10, its first fully software-defined satellite. The flexibility of the THAICOM 10 payload, capable of dynamically adjusting capacity, coverage and service configuration while in orbit, requires equally agile ground systems to ensure coordinated satellite and gateway operations.
The next-generation Q/V/Ka-band gateway from Kratos provides the feeder-link performance needed to fully exploit the adaptive payload of THAICOM 10. Operating in higher frequency bands enables higher throughput, an approximate two to three times increase in bandwidth compared to Ka-band HTS and more dynamic allocation of resources across beams and service regions. The multi-site gateway architecture also enhances service continuity by enabling seamless diversity switching to mitigate weather-related degradation in Q/V/Ka-band operations.
“As software-defined satellites continue to transform how operators deliver services, advanced gateway systems become essential for unlocking their full potential,” said John Chay, Vice President of the APAC region for Kratos. “This next-generation Q/V/Ka-band gateway infrastructure will work seamlessly with the Satellite Operations Center currently under development, giving Gulf Space Technology a unified space-to-ground architecture capable of dynamically responding to customer and market demands, supporting the company’s growth strategy.”
Under the contract, Kratos will supply Q/V/Ka-band antennas, RF equipment, fiber-optic transport systems, timing and reference subsystems, and complete gateway site infrastructure across primary and planned diversity locations. The integrated M&C system will provide end-to-end monitoring and control of gateway equipment, including real-time status monitoring, advanced alarm correlation, automated control actions and diversity switching to mitigate weather fade. It will also provide an interface to the Gulf Space Technology Satellite Operations Center.
“By delivering a complete turnkey Q/V/Ka-band gateway, Kratos is providing Gulf Space Technology with critical infrastructure that supports both our operational needs and our broader transformation into a space technology company,” said Park Boonyubol, Head of Satellite Programs at Gulf Space Technology. Boonyubol also highlighted the longstanding performance of Kratos in supporting Thaicom satellites such as THAICOM 8, along with ongoing work on the THAICOM 10 Satellite Operations Center. These capabilities strengthen the ability of Gulf Space Technology to maximize the flexibility, throughput and value of its software-defined satellite.
Kratos has previously delivered satellite ground-segment systems for Thaicom and other commercial and government satellite operators. Its satellite support capabilities include command and control (C2), telemetry, tracking and command (TT&C), payload and resource management, network orchestration, performance monitoring, spectrum management and gateway infrastructure. The combined delivery of the THAICOM 10 Satellite Operations Center and Q/V/Ka-band gateway will provide Gulf Space Technology with an integrated environment for managing satellite and ground operations.
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