New U.S. Patent Awarded to AST & Science
The Company Is Manufacturing the Next Generation of Low-Earth-Orbit Satellites for Government and Commercial Applications
MIAMI - April 17, 2018 – The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has awarded a patent covering unique features of the revolutionary low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellites being brought to market by AST & Science.
“This new U.S. patent is an important milestone and underpins our growing portfolio of intellectual property,” said Abel Avellan, Chairman and CEO of AST & Science. “The patented features incorporated into our Micron™ LEO satellites will enable an incredible range of commercial, defense and emergency-response applications at unprecedented low acquisition costs and speed to market.”
The patented technology of the AST satellites will make it possible for the Microns to be manufactured in very high volumes, offering the lowest cost per radiated kilowatt and the largest system gains and spectrum reuse ever achieved in the industry, according to Avellan.
Last month, AST acquired a controlling interest in NanoAvionics, a European manufacturer and systems integrator of small lightweight satellites. NanoAvionics launched its second satellite in June 2017 under a European Commission atmospheric research program. The satellite utilizes an innovative liquid chemical propulsion system – the first of its kind in the space industry.
“With two test satellites already launched and a fast-growing team of more than 50 scientists and engineers, we are well on our way to meet our goal of transforming how LEO satellites are designed, manufactured and used,” Avellan said. “Our patented features will allow us to support a range of government and commercial space mission capabilities that have until now been impossible.”
AST is investing $25 million to build a new high-volume facility for mass production of the Micron satellites, partnering with industry leaders in low-cost manufacturing. The company has shortlisted several locations in the United States. A final site for the plant will be selected very soon, according to Avellan, who said the company may also consider additional manufacturing capacity in Europe.
About AST & Science
AST & Science was founded by satellite-industry pioneer, entrepreneur and inventor Abel Avellan, a 25-year veteran in the global satellite communications sector. He was the founder and CEO of EMC until it was sold to Global Eagle for $550 million in 2016. Avellan was named Satellite Teleport Executive of the Year in 2017 and was the recipient of the Satellite Transaction of the Year award by Euroconsult in 2015. Avellan is also co-inventor of 18 U.S. patented technologies.
Contacts
Andrea Moya
AST & Science
+1 305-913-7106
Jim Rhodes
Rhodes Communications
+1 757-451-0602