SWISSto12 has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (MELCO) to pursue joint opportunities on advanced payloads, radio frequency (RF) products, and market development in Japan and the APAC region.
The partnership will combine MELCO's satellite system expertise and integration capabilities with SWISSto12's proprietary 3D-printing designs and processes. This 3D printing technology forms the foundation of SWISSto12's next-generation payloads, with more than 2,000 products already in orbit and market adoption of HummingLink said to be growing.
In addition to this MoU, MELCO has awarded SWISSto12 a contract to provide advanced phased array antenna products for the GEO secure communications program of the Japanese Government.
Emile de Rijk, CEO, SWISSto12, said: “We are proud to partner strategically with MELCO and support the next-generation sovereign communications system of Japan. Demand in APAC is growing for innovative, advanced payloads and RF products across sovereign land, sea, air, and space applications and we are confident that together, we can scale our ability to meet it.”
Masahiko Arai, Executive Officer and Group President, Defense & Space Systems, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, added: “SWISSto12’s innovative technologies, including its 3D-printing-based component manufacturing technology and small geostationary satellite platform, hold tremendous potential. By combining these technologies with our expertise in the development and manufacturing of defense- and space-related systems, which we have cultivated over the years, we are confident that we can deliver unprecedented value to our customers. Through this collaboration, we will leverage the respective strengths of both companies to pursue new business opportunities in Japan and international markets, while working to deliver advanced and highly competitive defence and space solutions.”
Earlier this year, SWISSto12 raised $70m as it looks to scale its manufacturing and integration capacity.
