Spire > Case Studies > Spire Space Services: Revolutionizing Space-Based Sensor Technology with Jacobs

Spire Space Services: Revolutionizing Space-Based Sensor Technology with Jacobs

Technology Category

Networks & Connectivity - Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)
Sensors - GPS

Applicable Industries

Telecommunications

Use Cases

Time Sensitive Networking

Services

System Integration
Testing & Certification

About The Customer

Jacobs is a global provider of technical, professional, and construction services, including all aspects of architecture, engineering and construction, operations and maintenance, as well as scientific and specialty consulting. The company's approach enables customers to proliferate space-based sensors that provide near-continuous monitoring and gather valuable actionable intelligence in the ground, sea, air, and space domains. Jacobs was looking for a cost-effective and efficient way to test and demonstrate their new type of commercial space-based Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) onboard a Spire 3U satellite.

The Challenge

Jacobs, a leading provider of technical, professional, and construction services, was faced with the challenge of testing and demonstrating a new type of commercial space-based Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) onboard a Spire 3U satellite. Traditional methods for testing technologies on-orbit were proving to be expensive and time-consuming. However, on-orbit demonstration was a critical step to prove technology readiness. Jacobs saw an opportunity to reduce risk, maintain control, save time, and decrease costs by hosting its payloads on Spire’s 3U satellite buses. The challenge was to find a low-risk, highly secure, cost-effective and rapid path to orbit.

The Solution

To overcome the challenge, Jacobs selected Spire’s 3U satellite platform to host its next-generation payload technologies. Spire designed a payload satellite interface and leveraged a third-party dedicated X-band ground station to provide a fully encrypted uplink & downlink that only Jacobs can access. The payload operates autonomously, according to daily tasking by Jacobs; Spire provides the tasking API but never accesses the encrypted tasking instructions. Spire offers a complete solution including on site integration services, launch, FCC licensing, and on orbit checkout and ground station operations. This solution provided Jacobs with a secure, cost-effective, and rapid path to orbit.

Operational Impact

The Spire 3U satellite hosted payload solution provided Jacobs with secure and cost-effective access to space. This was achieved by using the most scalable satellite platform available today coupled with Spire’s unique system design providing full downlink encryption. The Jacobs payload launched in January 2021 on a SpaceX Falcon 9. As a result of this successful first satellite, Jacobs has agreed to launch two additional hosted payloads with Spire. These additional satellites will continue supporting Jacobs’ desire for rapid technology iteration to speed the advanced technology lifecycle.

Quantitative Benefit

Reduced risk and cost by hosting payloads on Spire’s 3U satellite buses
Saved time by using Spire's complete solution including on site integration services, launch, FCC licensing, and on orbit checkout and ground station operations
Secured a fully encrypted uplink & downlink that only Jacobs can access