ESA Technology Transfer Success Story - The missing layer: how aircraft constellations could provide a new perspective on our planet [Aug/2022]
Luxembourgish firm SkyfloX is developing ESA-patented ORCA (Optical
and RF Constellation on Aircraft) to equip commercial aircraft with small
sensors (weighting less than a small suitcase), forming the ‘missing layer’ for
a range of Earth Observation (EO) and telecommunication applications.
ORCA uses commercial aeroplanes as a piggyback platform to
carry smallsat-like payloads, forming aircraft constellations and delivering satellite-like
Earth Observation services. Crucially, ORCA does not require additional planes
to be flown. Instead, it capitalises on the 30,000 commercial flights across
European airspace every day. SkyfloX’s modelling and simulation demonstrates
the strong ground coverage which could be achieved, even with only a fraction
of these planes carrying ORCA payloads.
SkyfloX’s ORCA service avoids expensive launch requirements,
and enjoys low capital and operational costs, especially in comparison with
satellite constellations. Whilst SkyfloX do have to pay for installation and
rental costs, which will be paid to the airline companies carrying the
payloads, it enjoys significantly lower costs elsewhere in its business model,
especially in comparison to satellites constellations that could provide
similar data coverage. The ORCA service also avoids contributing to space
debris and the use of sought-after satellite orbits, thereby supporting a
sustainable space environment.
The full case study report can be accessed in the restricted
area here
(please log in before).
The infographics can be accessed in the restricted area here
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This initiative is led by ESA's Technology Transfer and Patent Management Unit (TTPO) in ESA's Directorate for Commercialisation, Industry & Procurement. The Unit is guiding start-ups, entrepreneurs and European businesses in developing spin-offs for ESA's space technologies. More recent successful transfers can be accessed at: Technology Transfer - Funded Projects. For more information, please contact patent@esa.int.
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