The global and persistent coverage from space requires an effective integration across multiple proliferated satellite constellations. The primary challenge in using low-Earth orbit for global sensing and communication is the sheer size of the constellations that are necessary for total coverage. Building the required number of spacecraft and the corresponding payloads within schedule and cost targets require a shift in the space-hardware paradigm: use of COTS parts instead of custom space-grade electronics; commercial-like industrialization instead of bespoke, small-batch manufacturing; software-defined payloads instead of a design-for-mission approach; and, heavy design reuse between different payloads instead of long NRE phases. In the addition to the above, the lifetime of the spacecraft and associated electronics must be approximately 10 years or more to keep capitalization cycles at economical levels. Essentially, this is the ultimate technological challenge where production at scale, high reliability, aggressive cost, and cutting-edge performance must exist within one design. To address these challenges, Cesium has designed its product line to offer a Lego-like architecture with RF and antenna front ends that cover critical space frequency allocations along with a common digital back-end. The design leverages industry-wide investment into mobile communication for cost and performance of integrated circuits, meets the requirements for high-volume manufacturing, and uses software-defined features. This hardware is then paired with system engineering that offers full mission solutions, furthering the hardware reuse and NRE cycle reduction.
