Proprietary Leo Satellite Data Relay Terminal Launched into Orbit

17 December 2015

Addvalue Innovation Pte Ltd  a wholly-owned subsidiary of Singapore’s Mainboard-listed company, Addvalue Technologies Ltd, is pleased to announce that its space qualified satellite-based data relay terminal integrated on the VELOX-II satellite was successfully launched into a low earth orbit on 16 December 2015 by an Indian rocket. The VELOX-II satellite, which was built by Nanyang Technological University (NTU) under a contract by Addvalue, carries the Addvalue’s proprietary data relay terminal as its primary payload. Also aboard the rocket launch were other Singapore developed satellites.

The Addvalue’s data relay terminal is an essential component of its planned Inter- Satellite Data Relay System (“IDRS”). Addvalue first announced its joint collaboration with NTU to test its IDRS concept on the VELOX-II satellite in November last year.
NTU Velox-II which carries Addvalue’s proprietary data relay terminal as its primary payload. Photo credit: NTU

Addvalue’s IDRS is an innovative new service that addresses a long standing constraint on the operation of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites. Currently, communication with LEO satellites is only available when the satellite is within sight of an earth station. Further, this limited connectivity is available only on a rigid time schedule based on the particular LEO satellite orbit and the geographic placement of the earth stations. Thus LEO satellite operators must contend with communication links that are not available on a 24/7 basis. With the launch of the VELOX-II satellite, Addvalue will be able to demonstrate the technical feasibility of IDRS, its new LEO satellite link, to provide high capacity on-demand 24/7 two-way IP-based data services for LEO satellite missions.

“We are extremely exhilarated to witness the successful launch of the VELOX-II satellite at NTU’s ground station today,” exclaimed Dr Colin Chan Kum Lok, Chairman and CEO of Addvalue. “It is definitely a very important first step for us to scale a new frontier as we look forward to demonstrating the capability of IDRS to provide enhanced communications service for LEO satellite operators,” added Mr Tan Khai Pang, Chief Operating and Technology Officer of Addvalue.

Addvalue will begin evaluating the performance of its IDRS data relay terminal once the VELOX-II satellite platform is declared operational.