Space startup Apolink has successfully made first contact with its first demonstration relay satellite, which was launched into low Earth orbit (LEO) 7 July 2026 year during SpaceX's Transporter mission. This achievement paves the way for testing a unique intersatellite communication technology.
Basic details of the mission
Mission apparatus: CubeSat 3U technology demonstrator called IPoS-TDsM (or LinkONE/IPoS), the radio frequency subsystem for which the GomSpace company developed.
The purpose of the demonstration: Checking the ability to receive S-band telemetry from other operating satellites in real time, using an experimental license from the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Main partner: The main partner satellite for these tests is the Singapore company NuSpace with its NuLink-1 and NuLink-2 communication devices.
Satellites in low orbits often face the problem of "dead zones", when they cannot transmit important data to Earth due to the lack of ground stations in the flight path. The Apolink satellite network is designed to solve this problem:
Backward compatibility: Operators do not need to install new or special equipment on their satellites – the Apolink system can receive signals from transmitters already in orbit and relay them to Earth.
Reducing delays: Provides continuous transmission of telemetry and control commands without long waits for overflight over a ground station.
Fields of application: Operational coordination during the liquidation of the consequences of natural disasters, rapid military intelligence gathering and forest fire monitoring.
Apolink company, founded by 19-year-old entrepreneur Onkar Batra with the support of Y Combinator, plans to launch a second demo mission with two satellites in June 2027 year. Deployment of a full-fledged commercial group with 32 satellites interconnected by optical links are expected to 2029 year.
Source: https://spacenews.com