Topics
Latest
AI
Amazon
Image Credits:Northwood Space(opens in a new window)
Apps
Biotech & Health
mood
Image Credits:Northwood Space(opens in a new window)
Cloud Computing
Department of Commerce
Crypto
endeavour
EVs
Fintech
Fundraising
gadget
Gaming
Government & Policy
Hardware
Layoffs
Media & Entertainment
Meta
Microsoft
privateness
Robotics
certificate
societal
blank space
Startups
TikTok
Transportation
Venture
More from TechCrunch
Events
Startup Battlefield
StrictlyVC
Podcasts
telecasting
Partner Content
TechCrunch Brand Studio
Crunchboard
Contact Us
Northwood Space , the startup founded by former Disney sensation Bridgit Mendler , nail a key test last week when its footing station whole successfully tie in with orbiting Planet Labs satellites .
Operating from Planet ’s land post in Maddock , North Dakota , the team successfully showed the inauguration ’s fresh phase - array antenna arrangement can transmit datum to and from satellites on orbit . This first test focused on telemetry and tasking of the planet , and attain bidirectional link over five satellite passes .
“ The purpose of what we ’re doing is building a more performant ground web that can help industrialise the infinite industriousness , ” Mendler said in a recent audience . “ We see connectivity as really a key pillar of expanding space . ”
Northwood is aiming to solve whatit calls“the chokepoint for distance ” : the terrestrial infrastructure that enable satellite to convey with Earth and frailty versa . Typically large dish antennas , these ground station are a vital part of satellite operations , enable artificial satellite owners to chase after , charge dictation to , and receive data point from spacecraft .
The prodigious ontogenesis of the place industry has led to a correspondingly large growth in the volume of datum traveling to and from satellites . While a few companies , like SpaceX and Amazon , build and operate their own undercoat stations , many artificial satellite supplier bear for capacitance with ground post providers . But these services and their ground stations do n’t always have accessibility . El Segundo , California - ground Northwood ’s solvent is to mass grow a digital phased - regalia organization , which it prognosticate a “ Portal ” , to enable “ always - on planet connectivity . ”
Northwood ’s technology is being designed for scale of measurement : Unlike traditional parabolical dish aerial antenna , Northwood read its feeler can link up with multiple satellites at the same time . While traditional antennas require to be physically pointed at a orbiter , the beam direction of phase arrays can be electronically steered and track multiple objects at once .
But they ’re also being designed for mass fabrication , with the company initially targeting one feeler scheme built per calendar month . The system are also much smaller than traditional ground post — squares six feet per side — so they could be used at placement where deployment of bombastic antennas is impossible .
Join us at TechCrunch Sessions: AI
Exhibit at TechCrunch Sessions: AI
The company was able-bodied to set up the ground station and complete the testing in just six time of day . Northwood is direct to have sites operational in the first one-half of 2025 and shell production rate and vagabond out from there . The team is explore sites both in the U.S. and internationally , Mendler said .
Northwood , which went public in February , has raised around $ 6 million in financing from investor including Founders Fund , Andreessen Horowitz , and Also Capital .
