Quasar Satellite Technologies raises $6 million in funding

Quasar Satellite Technologies, a space ground station company set to replace parabolic dishes with its world-leading phased array technology, announced $6 million of pre-Series A funding. The round was led by Main Sequence Ventures and included PAN Group (known for empowering founders) and Marc and Lindy De Stoop of Climatech Group. This follows closely behind the announcement of a $5.3 million Defence Innovation Hub contract. Martin Duursma, Partner, Main Sequence Ventures “Quasar’s outstanding team is building the next generation of satellite communications technology which will place Australia firmly at the vanguard of the world’s space and communications industries. Quasar’s solution will likely touch every human on earth as internet including streaming services, iOT, earth imagery and sensor data is beamed from satellites to earth. Helping Australia’s Defence industry gain ‘the ultimate high ground’ doesn’t hurt either.” Quasar intends to use the funds to continue to fast-track its Defence contract, and maintain its pace developing more efficient and powerful phased arrays in multiple RF bands. The company is looking to grow its ground segment with arrays to serve the swelling numbers of satellites which all need to ‘speak to earth’. The company has received keen interest from the largest players in the world’s ground segment and is working to capitalise on that interest this year. The team is currently at 14 and will grow to 24 by this year’s end including operational capacity. Phil Ridley, CEO and Founder, Quasar “Quasar will launch our true multi-beam Generation 1 digital phased array technology later this year. Our world-first technology was born from the CSIRO’s radio-astronomy division and this foundation technology will help us change space communications forever. As satellites continue to launch – there will be around 50,000 in a decade’s time – earth just doesn’t have enough of right ‘real-estate’, and ground station companies enough CAPEX and OPEX, to speak to this many satellites efficiently. Our array – roughly the size of a coffee table – can replace up 35+ parabolic dishes and run them for a fraction of the cost. We are committed to growing a large Australian company serving the global space industry.” For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Kym Bergmann at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Director of Sales Graham Joss at [email protected]