AAC Hyperion (Hyperion Technologies)
Overview
Formerly Hyperion Technologies B.V, AAC Hyperion is an independent company that designs technologies used by small spacecraft. Dr. Ir. Bert Monna (Ph.D.), Dr. Ir. Steven Engelen (Ph.D.), and Drs. Cor in’t Veld (M.Sc.) founded the company in August 2013. Located in Delft, the Netherlands, Hyperion focuses on delivering high-performance Attitude Determination and Control System (ADCS) and related systems. These include spin-out products such as miniaturized payloads as well as payload processing platforms. [1]
CubeCAT
On 5 January 2021, it was announced that the Netherlands Ministry of Defense and Netherlands Space Office (NSO), a consortium of Hyperion Technologies and TNO, are leading a project to launch jointly developed laser satellite terminals into space in early 2022. The laser terminal, named CubeCAT, is an enabling technology allowing for future smallsats to be able to download data at a rate of 1Gbps and upload approximately 200Kbps. Since the terminal uses lasers as its means of communication, there is no long application process to send and receive on a dedicated frequency such as with radio communication. An image depicted CubeCAT from different points-of-view can be seen below.
From Left to Right: Closed View, Inside View 1, Inside View 2, Front View
Copyright: TNO
Optical Grounds Stations (OGS) are necessary to ensure the functionality of the CubeCAT system. TNO is currently constructing an OGS in The Hague, the Netherlands for this purpose. Hyperion is also developing other necessary technologies for the project including optical benches, deformable mirrors, and receiver technology. The European Space Agency (ESA) also has an optical ground station located in Tenerife, Spain that will assist in downlinking the data from the satellites. The final goal of the project is to support laser communication needs for sending and receiving data in space, air, and ground. [2]