A sophisticated satellite-based system allows pinpointing a person’s location in a dangerous, isolated situation on land or sea. It thus hopefully speeds their subsequent rescue in many cases. Cospas-Sarsat uses three types of satellites: low-Earth orbit search-and-rescue (LEOSAR), medium-Earth orbit search-and-rescue (MEOSAR), and high-altitude geosynchronous orbit search-and-rescue (GEOSAR satellites). There are five LEOSAR, seven GEOSAR, […]
Aerospace and Defense
Raspberry Pi-based computer meets mil standards for defense and aerospace apps
Curtiss-Wright’s Defense Solutions introduced the Parvus DuraCOR Pi, the embedded industry’s first Raspberry Pi (RPi) powered mission computer for defense and aerospace applications. The ultra-small form factor (USFF) DuraCOR Pi, fully ruggedized to deliver optimal performance in harsh operating environments, is the first mission computer to deliver 100% compatibility with the vast Pi Developer Ecosystem in a fully […]
Satellite-based search-and-rescue, Part 2: Ground segment and transmitter beacons
A sophisticated satellite-based system allows pinpointing a person’s location in a dangerous, isolated situation on land or sea. It thus hopefully speeds their subsequent rescue in many cases. Over one million emergency beacons are in use worldwide, all operating at 406 MHz (with some exceptions, called out below). Cospas-Sarsat does not manufacture or sell beacons. […]
Satellite-based search-and-rescue, Part 1: The overall system
A sophisticated satellite-based system allows pinpointing a person’s location in a dangerous, isolated situation on land or sea. It thus hopefully speeds their subsequent rescue in many cases. You’ve undoubtedly seen or read stories about someone miraculously recused at sea or in some relatively uninhabited, remote part of the Earth, without a way to call […]
RF/optical hybrid modules work with VPX-based embedded computing systems
TE Connectivity is introducing its NanoRF optical hybrid modules for the defense industries VPX-based embedded computing systems that require increased bandwidth and radio frequency (RF) signaling. The new hybrid modules feature high-density RF and optical connections within common connector module applications like radar, electronic warfare (EW) missile guidance, and tactical communications, along with any other small […]
Rad-hard eFPGA IP works with 90-nm rad-hard fab process
QuickLogic Corporation announced it has teamed with SkyWater Technology to make a “fast boot” rad-hard eFPGA IP available to users of SkyWater’s 90 nm rad-hard (RH90) process. This technology can be embedded as an IP core in ASIC and SoC devices or implemented as a custom rad-hard FPGA for mission-critical and/or ruggedized applications. QuickLogic’s eFPGA […]
Small-form-factor Ethernet switch optimized for near earth orbit, low earth orbit missions
Aitech Systems now offers the space industry’s first standalone small form factor (SFF) Ethernet switch designed and tested for near-earth orbit (NEO) and low earth orbit (LEO) missions. The new S-A6640 is a managed Ethernet Switch/Router with 12x1GE copper ports and uses IP and Ethernet protocols to help significantly improve communication speeds while lowering costs and […]
Reaction wheels ensure satellites maintain the right attitude: Part 2
Electrically driven reaction wheels use conservation of angular momentum to keep a satellite pointed in the right direction, eliminating the need for fuel-powered and limited thrusters. Part 1 was an introduction to reaction wheel basics. This part continues the investigation into their performance and construction. Physics and analysis Although the basic principle of reaction wheels […]
Reaction wheels ensure satellites maintain the right attitude: Part 1
Electrically driven reaction wheels use conservation of angular momentum to keep a satellite pointed in the right direction, eliminating the need for fuel-powered and limited thrusters. Orbiting satellites usually must maintain a precise and stable orientation for various reasons: to keep their cameras or radar pointed at their Earth targets or to keep their telescopes […]
Rad-tolerant 2.5-in SSD holds up to 1 Tbytes
Aitech Systems has released the most compact network-attached storage (NAS) device available for use in near-earth orbit (NEO) and low earth orbit (LEO) space applications. The new S999 Aitech solid-state drive (ASSD) is a 2.5-inch solid-state drive (SSD) for high-performance spacecraft data processing or distributed computing systems in satellites and human-rated platforms. With a raw […]
