Tendeg, a space hardware manufacturer, unveiled the NewTEN steerable compact antenna at the SmallSat conference, advancing communications capabilities for small satellites operating in low Earth orbit and beyond.
The NewTEN antenna represents a departure from fixed-beam designs that have constrained small satellite operations. Unlike traditional antennas that point in a single direction, NewTEN employs electronic steering to track ground stations, other spacecraft, or orbital assets without requiring the satellite itself to maneuver. This capability addresses a persistent engineering challenge in the smallsat sector, where mass and power budgets leave little room for mechanical pointing systems.
Smallsats have transformed space access over the past decade. Companies operate constellations numbering in the hundreds or thousands for Earth observation, communications, and scientific missions. Yet many rely on communications antennas designed for larger platforms, creating inefficiencies. A steerable antenna compact enough to fit on a cubesat or other small platform could unlock new operational modes for these missions.
The NewTEN technology works through phased-array principles, allowing operators to electronically adjust where the antenna transmits and receives signals. This differs from mechanically gimbal-mounted antennas, which add weight and moving parts prone to failure. Electronic steering also responds faster to changing communication geometries as satellites orbit.
Tendeg positioned the NewTEN launch at SmallSat as a direct response to market demand. The small satellite sector has matured beyond experimental flight status. Companies now operate commercial constellations for weather data, ship tracking, and communications relay. Military and government operators field reconnaissance and signals intelligence smallsats. Scientific missions use cubesats and microsatellites for atmospheric studies and technology demonstrations. All these applications benefit from improved ground communications.
The antenna's compact form factor addresses a core constraint in smallsat design. A cubesat typically measures 10 centimeters on each side and weighs less than 1.33 kilograms. Larger smallsats like those in the 50-100 kilogram range have more flexibility but still operate under strict mass and volume limits. Traditional large antennas would consume precious payload volume or require complex deployment mechanisms. NewTEN trades mechanical complexity for electrical sophistication, allowing engineers to allocate mass to scientific instruments or fuel instead.
Ground operators benefit from steerable antenna performance as well. Instead of waiting for a satellite to pass directly overhead, operators using NewTEN-equipped smallsats can maintain contact across wider viewing angles. This extends data transmission windows and improves operational reliability for time-sensitive missions.
The small satellite industry continues expanding rapidly. Launch costs have dropped dramatically thanks to SpaceX Falcon 9 rideshare missions and dedicated smallsat launch providers like Rocket Lab and Axiom Space. Hundreds of smallsats reach orbit annually. As constellation sizes grow and mission complexity increases, communications infrastructure becomes the limiting factor. Better antennas for smaller platforms directly enable next-generation operations.
Tendeg's announcement comes as the smallsat sector matures from early-stage innovation toward standardized, reliable platforms. NewTEN joins a broader category of components designed specifically for small satellites, including propulsion systems, attitude control hardware, and power management electronics. Each component refinement pushes the performance envelope for what these compact spacecraft can accomplish.