Fleet Space’s Centauri 6 Demonstrates Path to Sovereign Multi-Orbit SATCOM

Fleet Space Technologies, Australia’s leading space exploration company, announced the successful demonstration of two-way voice and data (TVAD) satellite communications for the Australian Defence Force in support of the ASCEND2LEO program. Developed as part of an AUD$6.4 million contract with Defence, Fleet Space’s TVAD demonstration showcased a full duplex satellite communications system, enabling two-way voice and data calls with the company’s recently launched next-gen Centauri-6 satellite. This marks the first use case of a full duplex SATCOM system being enabled by advanced microsatellite architectures in low Earth orbit – a critical innovation breakthrough necessary for the development of sovereign multi-orbit space systems with resilient narrowband SATCOM capabilities. 

“Fleet Space’s successful demonstrations of high-performing SATCOM capabilities reflects our readiness to deliver resilient space-based systems using advanced microsatellite architectures with flexible and multi-purpose payloads,” said Co-Founder & CEO of Fleet Space Technologies, Matt Pearson. “With Centauri 6, Fleet Space has established a proof-of-concept for delivering sovereign SATCOM capabilities. We’re proud to pioneer this new-to-world innovation path to deliver advanced SATCOMs with reduced cost and added resilience in support of Australia’s Defence Space Strategy priorities and the expanding needs of allies and international partners around the world. Our demonstration of microsatellite-enabled full duplex SATCOMs establishes Fleet Space and Australia’s space sector on the forefront of the global effort to build secure, flexible multi-orbit capabilities.”

In March, Fleet Space successfully demonstrated Push-To-Talk capabilities by reprogramming its Centauri-4 satellite while in orbit - making it the world’s smallest voice-enabled satellite. Building on this achievement, Fleet Space’s Centauri-6 satellite - launched in April on SpaceX’s Bandwagon-1 mission - was reconfigured to perform full duplex SATCOMs with a re-engineered waveform developed by Safety from Space and SmartSAT CRC, with support from the University of South Australia (UniSA) and the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG). ASCEND2LEO, a combined research and development activity between Defence, Fleet Space Technologies, University of South Australia, Safety from Space and SmartSat CRC, aims to develop resilient, rapidly-fielded, and flexible LEO capabilities leveraging Fleet Space’s Centauri satellites to advance tactical communications in low-connectivity environments.

“Custom waveforms operating in very low, size, weight and power applications are a critical part of enabling specialised satellite capabilities,” said Founder of Safety From Space, Dr. Mark Rice. “We’re excited to continue working with partners to help build secure, scalable and resilient satellite-based solutions in support of the ambitious objectives of the Australian private and public sectors.” 

The live Fleet Space TVAD demonstration, hosted by the University of South Australia exceeded a strict performance criterion of voice quality, reliability, and link persistence - enabling live voice calling and data transmission between two geographically remote users. The ability to facilitate full duplex SATCOM using reprogrammable microsatellites in LEO - delivering the experience of a two-way phone call - delivers expanded flexibility for plug and play, tactical communications to maximise mission capability across a broader range of complex operational circumstances. 

“We understood from the outset that helping to shape the concept of this demonstration would open new innovation pathways for future resilient space-based capabilities,” added Peter Kerr, Defence & National Security Coordinator at SmartSat CRC. 

Enhanced resiliency, capability, and security of microsatellite-enabled narrowband SATCOM that’s optimised for rapid deployment with less upkeep is critical to build space-enabled architecture that addresses the evolving needs of Australia and its allies around the world. Centauri-6, Fleet Space’s next-gen satellite is designed for in-orbit reprogrammability and flexible payloads, purpose-built with greater uplink capacity and redundancy to enable more resilient data transfer from terminals on the ground.  The University of South Australia played an important role in supporting the remote testing of Fleet Space’s TVAD in addition to hosting the demonstration, providing advanced satellite tracking capabilities to ensure a persistent link between the two terminals.

“The University of South Australia is proud to contribute space-enabled systems and expertise to support the testing of advanced space capabilities that unlock new possibilities for Australia’s domestic space sector,” said Sebastien Hebert, Director of Defence & Space at UniSA. “Hosting this bold and ambitious demonstration reflects our institution’s commitment to bringing the best of Australian ingenuity together to build innovative solutions that address the evolving needs of Defence and allies around the world.”

Fleet Space’s sustained innovation in space technologies has been fueled by the global adoption of the company’s end-to-end mineral exploration solution, ExoSphere. Leveraging Fleet Space’s satellite network in low Earth orbit and patented smart seismic sensors (Geodes), ExoSphere delivers real-time 3D imaging of the Earth’s subsurface up to 4km in depth. A lunar variant of an ExoSphere Geode - SPIDER - will be deployed on the Moon in 2026 as part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative. SPIDER’s deployment will help to unlock geological insights about the lunar regolith and search for water ice deposits - making SPIDER the first Australian seismic technology to land on the Moon.