Oxford Space Systems and Lacuna Space deploy two helical antennas

Image courtesy Oxford Space Systems

These deployments mark a significant milestone: 10 successful launches of Oxford Space Systems deployable antennas with Lacuna Space over the last five years, with a 100% in-orbit success rate. The helical antenna is designed to operate within the Low Power Direct to Satellite (LPD-S) bands recently formalised by ECC, centred on 868 and 915MHz.

The antennas offer a lightweight structure and compact stowage volume, enabling efficient integration on CubeSat platforms with a deployment mechanism that ensures reliable operation – critical for constellation-scale missions.

Lacuna Space is building a global satellite IoT network designed to connect sensors anywhere on Earth, helping to drive innovation in agriculture, environmental monitoring, and utility management. By integrating Oxford Space Systems’ deployable helical antennas, Lacuna Space ensures robust communications while keeping costs low – a critical factor in delivering scalable, real-world solutions.

“The UK is leading the way in making satellite communications open, interoperable and affordable. At Lacuna Space, we set out to move beyond proprietary systems and build on open terrestrial standards so that anyone, anywhere can benefit from space-enabled connectivity. Oxford Space Systems’ reliable, flight-proven antennas are a key part of that vision, giving us the confidence to scale a truly global network”, said Fernando Rodriguez, CTO at Lacuna Space.

“We’re proud to see our antennas play a central role in Lacuna Space’s constellation,” commented Sean Sutcliffe, Chief Executive at Oxford Space Systems. “This is a great example of UK-built space technology moving from prototype to constellation production, proving its reliability in orbit time after time.”

With another four Lacuna Space satellites due to be launched in the coming months, both companies are demonstrating how trusted, flight-proven hardware and agile satellite manufacturing are reshaping the sector. Together, Oxford Space Systems and Lacuna Space are helping to industrialise space infrastructure – ensuring faster, more cost-effective access to critical data from orbit.