C🅰️tSE Profile picture
Jun 24, 2024 9 tweets 7 min read Read on X
Looking at the antenna elements ( printed dual polarization dipole antenna) and the frequenzy used
(DMSP)

We could be looking at one of the ALT/dual use cases being an MPAR Multi-function Phased Array Radar (MPAR)

1/n


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What type of tricks might such an array be capable of?

Just like BlueWalker 2 was built in a reverse communications experiment there are more of those. One has an array here in Sweden.

2/n


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Here are some of its trick. If it was out in space looking in it would add another dimension of monitoring the surface.

3/n

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Here are some more.

Add to this skill-set the ability to do radio communications, like 3gppp 5G and you have a very versatile tool.

Even more so if the entire satellite is software dfefined.

Like the EISCAT radars the BB1s will be in a certain relative configuration initially.
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How did I learn of EISCAT you might wonder?

By browsing the internet intensively for the type of antenna elements I see in ASTS imagery.

These. They certainly look like printed dual polarization dipoles most likely angled a bit.

5/n

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A disclaimer is in place in that no official coms from company exists about other use cases than communications.🤫

So my post is speculative ofcourse.
And if this dual use is why they prioritized the FPGA line remains to be seen.

But to me it shows the opportunity of dual use.
Antenna elements comparison.

Which is what lead me down this rabbit hole along with the ground network frequency used and a few other things.

If I happend to be right:

All my sources are open, none are MNPI, one company rep knows my identity and I truly am just a 🇸🇪 farmer👩🏼‍🌾


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A third type of printed dipole
MPAR (Multi purpose Phased Array Radar) antenna that can be considered intermediate type of the two shown above. This one is for much higher frequencies and thus smaller. But has the printed dipole flange concept, just crossed.


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More from @CatSE___ApeX___

Jan 23
In Latin, the concept of drawing an inference from what is not shown or mentioned is most commonly expressed as:

Argumentum ex silentio

$ASTS

🧠🐈‍⬛

1/n Image
When the last BlueBirds deployed there was two patterns.

One was a spike in drag and the level of drag settling on a higher level afterwards.

The other and first sign was a delay of TLE data longer than usual.

In a way the first -inconclusive- sign was the absence of data.
/2
As back then TLEs was delayed more than 2 full days. Which is /was unusual.

/3 Image
Read 10 tweets
Jan 8
Deploying a 200 sqm array within two weeks of launch is a high-stakes move. Historically, large structures wait longer for "checkout."

Is the upcoming FM2 launch giving us a faster deployment?

There is now FM1 data.

1/ Image
Here is drag data.

/2 Image
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Here is the relative change of drag (schematically) that you’d expect from detumbling, unfolding and the reorienting back to edge on flight.

3/ Image
Read 9 tweets
Jan 6
I was asked to comment on Space-x last Ex parte letter that they have filed to the FCC.

So here is the picture:

$ASTS has asked authority to launch full constellation beyond 25 satellites.

Space-x wants to delay and complicate that.

They keep filing all the way to sunshine
1/ Image
It’s extremely uncompetitive behaviour and a bit immoral as what Space-X has begged be implemented onto AST is the same type of regulations they see as an obstacle when applied to themselves.

What they ask that AST shall not be allowed to is what they themselves do.
Golden rule? Image
It’s important to grasp that the next 20 satellites and the Block1s are approved already.

So this pen-fighting is about about satellites to launched beyond Q1 2026.

/3 Image
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Read 20 tweets
Jan 2
_One way to increase Area spectral efficiency is lowering constellation altitude.

That way comes at two costs: The number of 🛰️satellites required on orbit increases and their orbital dwell ⏳time decreases both affecting the replenish rate 🛠️adversely as:

🛠️ = 🛰️/⏳

🧶🐈‍⬛

1/n Image
Let’s do a SpaceMob thing and look at this from first principles.

A satellite has a field of view. FoV.

That Field of View projects a footprint on earth.

The footprint increases with angle of the field of view and increases with altitude.

2/ Image
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Within this field of view the satellite creates beams.

They also have an angle called beamwidth and a footprint called beamcell.

There are many of these beams and beamcells within the satellite footprint.

3/ Image
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Read 31 tweets
Nov 25, 2025
🚨 $ASTS IS INCREASING ITS PATENT MOAT ESP. ON DOW ORBITS 🚨THIS PATENT COVERS THE SIGNAL-PROCESSING METHODS — SELECTION COMBINING, DIVERSITY COMBINING, AND MIMO — THAT ENABLE RELIABLE DIRECT-TO-CELL CONNECTIVITY FROM LEO SATELLITES TO STANDARD HANDSETS.

1/ Image
THE PROBLEM ADDRESSED: END USER DEVICES MAY RECEIVE MULTIPLE SATELLITE SIGNALS (MULTIPLE PATHS, SUB-ARRAYS, OR MULTI-SATELLITE LINKS) WITH DIFFERENT DELAYS, DOPPLER, AND SNRS.

THE PATENT SPECIFIES HOW TO CHOOSE AND COMBINE THESE SIGNALS TO MAXIMIZE LINK RELIABILITY.

2/
SELECTION COMBINING: the system monitors multiple receive branches and selects the best branch using quality metrics (e.g., SNR/BER estimates, channel quality indicators). selection lowers complexity and power for the handset when one branch dominates

3/ Image
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Read 13 tweets
Aug 11, 2025
Quarterly report thread. $ASTS

Excellent initial impression.

August delivery of FM1 !

5 launches before Q1 -26

1.5Bn+ at hand

🧶🐈‍⬛

1/

stocktitan.net/news/ASTS/ast-…
Signed two additional early-stage contracts for the U.S. Government end customer, bringing the total to eight contracts to date with the U.S. Government as an end customer.

This is huge.

The rate at which company adds DoD contracts is staggering. It’s not in analyst models.

2/
Service Rollout: Nationwide intermittent service in the US by end-2025, followed by UK, Japan, and Canada in Q1 2026. Expected revenue: $50-75M in H2 2025 from government and commercial customers. Supports full voice, data, and video at up to 120 Mbps peak speeds per cell.

/3
Read 27 tweets

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