Satellite payload systems
Enabling new applications in space with novel payloads.
More launches, expanding constellations, tighter deadlines, disruptive competition, new applications. If you want to stay ahead in this demanding market, the right payload is key. Let our expertise, experience, and capabilities help you innovate with speed and efficiency, expand your offerings, and deliver greater value for your satellite end users.
Development of communications solutions for space
Satellite payloads are evolving. Multiple drivers – low size, weight, power and cost (SWAP-C), software-defined operations, etc. – are impacting core satellite communications (satcom) systems and functionality. New applications are also expanding mission scope, with further implications on payload.
In this dynamic market, TTP stands as an independent, end-to-end satcom solutions partner. Our multidisciplinary team helps clients choose the right path forward, developing innovative, space-qualified products and technologies that enable ubiquitous connectivity and commercial success. We can design for a range of commercial and governmental sector applications:
- Intersatellite links (ISLs) in RF and optical domains
- Regenerative payload for 5G Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN)
- On-board computer (OBC)
- Sensing for Space Situational Awareness (SSA)
- Electric propulsion for small satellites
- In-Orbit Servicing and Manufacturing (IOSM)
Global satellite operators and their ecosystem partners rely on our knowledge and understanding of the commercial issues they face and our ability to develop the right components, equipment and systems that drive mission success.
LEO satellites have typically been limited in their ability to send data to Earth, only able to connect when orbiting past a ground terminal. SSTL are excited to be part of this innovation in space technology with TTP, jointly developing the data relay Inter Satellite Link (ISL) in the UK that can constantly and reliably provide a connection with Earth, via GEO satellites to enable on demand tasking and quick access to data in an accelerating world.
Rob Goddard
Director of Engineering at SSTL
Intersatellite Communications Solutions
The declining cost of space launches has contributed to a rise in the number of geosynchronous (GEO) and especially low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites. This proliferation has increased the need for inter-satellite communication.
For instance, LEO small satellites can communicate with the ground only periodically, which limits both data transfer and on-demand satellite control, both crucial for applications in defence, earth observation and in-space operations. Inter-satellite links (ISL) provide an answer to that dilemma.
Data communication between satellites via ISL enables continuous ground contact with minimum latency, i.e. near real time. Our satellite team has experience in developing space-qualified communications terminals for ISL, which can employ RF (L-, Ku or Ka-band) or optical spectrum.
Sustainability, propulsion, IOSM and other applications
Sustainable success of the satellite industry and its services depends on safely scaling the operation of large satellite constellations in orbits shared with thousands of other such satellites, as well as space debris. The applicable expertise of our multi-disciplinary team is available to develop game-changing improvements to space assets, particularly in the areas of Space Situational Awareness (SSA) and collision avoidance (CA).
Legislatively mandated de-orbiting of satellites at the end of mission – to reduce space debris – requires even CubeSats to be equipped with some kind of propulsion. TTP’s experience in precise electrostatic ejectors of liquids is applicable to the development of electric propulsion for nanosatellites.
Other new opportunities in the burgeoning space economy relate to in-orbit servicing and manufacturing (IOSM). The low cost of launches makes it possible to service satellites in orbit, thereby extending their lifetime. Also, low-cost satellites with returnable payloads are positioned to assume a role in the experimentation and manufacturing in microgravity, which has to date been performed by humans on space stations.
The application of TTP’s extensive experience in the development of complex robotics, microfluidics and space-qualified payload to IOSM solutions in space is creating new business opportunities for its clients on Earth.
How we can help
Development of space-qualified equipment
Development of satellite payload systems requires specific skills and processes. TTP have developed space-qualified satellite payload systems meeting demanding requirements of the orbital environment, and the company has appropriate processes in place.
Satellite communications, including 5G NTN and optical
Our team can support the development of a wide range of satellite payload systems, including on-board computers (OBC), versatile communicationsmodules (SDR), regenerative transponders for 5G NTN (space-qualified gNodeB), antennas (including phased arrays), laser communications terminals (LCT), etc.
Quantum key distribution (QKD)
Satellites can enable secure encryption key distribution using quantum technology. TTP has experience both in quantum technologies and in satellite payload systems, and are well placed to support the development of quantum key distribution (QKD) solutions.
Radars & image processing, AI for SSA
The rapid growth in the number of launched satellites makes Earth's orbits increasingly crowded. This brings space safety and space situational awareness (SSA) aspects to the fore. TTP applies its image processing and AI expertise to SSA. We also have experience developing radar sensing solutions for similar applications, such as detect-and-avoid for UAVs.
Robotics
TTP applies its experience in robotics for industrial and medical applications, its lab-on-plate and lab-on-chip expertise to in-space robotics, to low size, weight and power (SWaP) solutions for in-orbit servicing and manufacturing (IOSM).
Electric propulsion
TTP has extensive experience in precise electrostatic ejectors of liquids, which it applies to the development of electric propulsion for nanosatellites, helping electric propulsion suppliers to address challenges in design – from high-voltage drivers to micromanufacturing.
Development of space-qualified equipment
Development of satellite payload systems requires specific skills and processes. TTP have developed space-qualified satellite payload systems meeting demanding requirements of the orbital environment, and the company has appropriate processes in place.
Satellite communications, including 5G NTN and optical
Our team can support the development of a wide range of satellite payload systems, including on-board computers (OBC), versatile communicationsmodules (SDR), regenerative transponders for 5G NTN (space-qualified gNodeB), antennas (including phased arrays), laser communications terminals (LCT), etc.
Quantum key distribution (QKD)
Satellites can enable secure encryption key distribution using quantum technology. TTP has experience both in quantum technologies and in satellite payload systems, and are well placed to support the development of quantum key distribution (QKD) solutions.
Radars & image processing, AI for SSA
The rapid growth in the number of launched satellites makes Earth's orbits increasingly crowded. This brings space safety and space situational awareness (SSA) aspects to the fore. TTP applies its image processing and AI expertise to SSA. We also have experience developing radar sensing solutions for similar applications, such as detect-and-avoid for UAVs.
Robotics
TTP applies its experience in robotics for industrial and medical applications, its lab-on-plate and lab-on-chip expertise to in-space robotics, to low size, weight and power (SWaP) solutions for in-orbit servicing and manufacturing (IOSM).
Electric propulsion
TTP has extensive experience in precise electrostatic ejectors of liquids, which it applies to the development of electric propulsion for nanosatellites, helping electric propulsion suppliers to address challenges in design – from high-voltage drivers to micromanufacturing.
Our approach and capabilities
We deliver across the entire life of a project, from opportunity discovery to production engineering. Discover how our interdisciplinary teams of experts collaborate to tackle the toughest product development challenges.
Our campus and facilities
Our award-winning campus has been designed with a clear vision. To create a space which can support our people and our clients as we develop and deliver the very best technology solutions.
Software capability at TTP
Engaged in all stages of software and product development, our software capability at TTP covers the full spectrum—from in-depth analysis and system architecture to prototype design, implementation, and test development.
Manufacturing capability at TTP
Working seamlessly with our development teams, we take clients' products through prototype builds, clinical trials, pilot manufacture and more. Using TTP Manufacturing reduces uncertainty, risk and time to market for our clients.
Meet some of the team
Lewis Davies
Brian Butler
Paul Winter
