In a serious increase to the European satellite tv for pc trade, SWISSto12, one of many fastest-growing satellite tv for pc and Radio Frequency (RF) product producers, has secured CHF 25 million ($27.3 million) in credit score from Swiss financial institution UBS. This funding will primarily help the burgeoning demand for the HummingSat satellite tv for pc, a product uniquely crafted with SWISSto12’s pioneering patented 3D printing know-how.

Emile de Rijk, Founder and CEO of SWISSto1, stated, “This CHF 25 million working capital facility with UBS provides us further agility to execute on the manufacturing and supply of our first HummingSats and deal with robust buyer demand. With HummingSat, SWISSto12 is creating a brand new class of agile, high-performance SmallSat for geostationary orbit that’s roughly three to 5 occasions smaller and decrease price than standard geostationary satellites whereas nonetheless reliably delivering vital companies. We’re excited to construct on buyer demand from world satellite tv for pc operators and nationwide governments with our modern geostationary communications satellites that can higher join and defend customers worldwide.”

Satellite tv for pc innovator

Spun out of the Swiss Federal Institute of Know-how in Lausanne (EPFL) in 2011, SWISSto12 has since secured over €50 million ($53 million) from main Swiss and European traders. This consists of trade strongholds akin to Constantia New Enterprise (CNB Capital), Swisscom Ventures, Swisscanto, and Zürcher Kantonalbank.

SWISSto12’s modern use of 3D printing know-how in satellite tv for pc design and manufacturing is proving transformative. It’s patented 3D printing not solely allows the manufacturing of superior RF merchandise for aerospace purposes, encompassing telecommunications, digital warfare (EW), and radar, but in addition paves the way in which for groundbreaking developments in satellite tv for pc design.

An ideal instance of this innovation is the HummingSat. Named after the agile and seemingly stationary hummingbird, this satellite tv for pc is ready to introduce a brand new period of environment friendly house options. These SmallSats are simply over one cubic meter, making them three to 10 occasions smaller than standard satellites. Its compact design considerably reduces prices and supplies a singular alternative for rideshare throughout rocket launches, permitting them to hitch a experience with bigger spacecraft. With the help of over €30 million ($32 million) from the European House Company (ESA), the formidable HummingSat platform undertaking is on observe, with the primary of its form designed for geostationary orbit scheduled for launch in 2025.

Strategic collaboration with ESA and the pioneering strategy to satellite tv for pc manufacturing highlights SWISSto12’s place as a pacesetter within the aerospace trade, showcasing the potential of 3D printing in revolutionizing house know-how.

HummingSat geostationary telecommunications satellite tv for pc. Picture courtesy of SWISSto12.

Marked by milestones

2022 marked a pivotal yr for SWISSto12. Intelsat, a number one built-in satellite tv for pc and terrestrial community operator, grew to become its first business buyer, choosing the modern HummingSat geostationary telecommunications satellite tv for pc. This momentum carried into 2023 with a deal to produce three HummingSats to Inmarsat, which had lately been acquired by Viasat.

Swisscom Ventures Accomplice Pär Lange highlighted the importance of those achievements, noting, “SWISSto12 is the primary ever growth-stage firm to promote an entire geostationary satellite tv for pc to world satellite tv for pc operators –a testomony to the uniquely transformative market potential of the HummingSat platform and the staff’s technical and business acumen. Having generated over €200 million in buyer orders, SWISSto12 can also be one of many few growth-stage corporations in a position to safe a development facility of this magnitude from a multinational financial institution akin to UBS – the corporate is in a tremendously good place to reinvigorate the geostationary communications market on which billions of individuals rely for broadband, broadcast and security companies.”

Shiny future forward

With many promising partnerships, SWISSto12 stands at a pivotal level in its journey. Its collaboration with established names like Thales Alenia House, Elbit, IAI, and ESA highlights the trade’s confidence in its capabilities. Devoted to 3D printing complicated satellite tv for pc components, SWISSto12 already has a whole lot of merchandise integrated into in-orbit satellites, together with the Eutelsat Konnect satellite tv for pc from Thales, in addition to satellites from the U.Okay.’s Inmarsat and Israel’s NSLComm.

Innovation drives the house trade, with 3D printing gaining vital traction in recent times. Aerospace leaders like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Rocket Lab have all integrated 3D printing for a variety of parts, from engines to structural aspects. Because the world turns into extra interconnected, the demand for dependable and environment friendly satellite tv for pc communication is certain to extend. With its utility of 3D printing know-how and trade partnerships, SWISSto12 claims to supply options tailor-made to this evolving demand. The financing from UBS signifies potential seen in SWISSto12; let’s hope it doesn’t additionally trace on the blurring traces between banking, know-how, and aerospace.