The space industry is witnessing an innovative transformation as emerging startups challenge traditional paradigms. One such startup, Northwood Space, founded and led by former television star and singer Bridgit Mendler, is setting ambitious goals in the realm of satellite communications. This California-based company recently achieved a groundbreaking milestone by successfully establishing a connection with Planet Labs’ satellites, signaling a potential leap forward in global space connectivity.
At the heart of Northwood’s mission is the aim to revolutionize ground station technology—a critical component in the space communication ecosystem. Ground stations serve as the vital link between satellites orbiting the Earth and the ground infrastructures that control their operations and relay data. Traditional ground stations utilize parabolic dish antennas, which often limit connections to only one to three satellites at any given time.
Northwood, however, is breaking the mold with its innovative phased array technology, branded as “Portal.” Mendler asserts that this technology can dramatically enhance connectivity, enabling connections with up to ten satellites simultaneously. This capability not only promises to increase efficiency but could also reshape the industry’s approach to satellite communication.
Mendler, who has shifted her focus from entertainment to technology, envisions a future where companies in the space sector benefit from streamlined and cost-effective connectivity solutions. “Connectivity has been largely limited by outdated models, with many companies facing blackouts and exorbitant expenses,” she explained. Northwood seeks to pioneer what she terms a “Ground Station as a Service” (GSaaS) model, allowing various enterprises to share resources and infrastructure, much like how cell towers operate.
She draws an analogy to the cellular industry, highlighting how efficient shared models emerged for telecommunications. Mendler believes this approach could also alleviate existing bottlenecks in satellite operations, positioning ground stations as a “third leg of the stool” within the space technology framework.
Northwood’s commitment to innovation has already translated into rapid prototyping and successful field tests. Just four months after conceptualization, the team deployed a prototype antenna, affectionately named “Frankie.” During tests conducted in Maddock, North Dakota, Northwood established bi-directional communication with a Planet satellite, validating their technology under real-world conditions. Joseph Breu, Planet’s senior director of global ground networks, praised Northwood’s achievement, emphasizing their capacity to address significant challenges within the industry.
The Portal system consists of two distinct antenna models, each designed for different frequency bands: a larger S-band antenna and a compact X-band antenna. With plans for deployment beginning next year, Northwood has started assessing potential sites across geographical regions, including the U.S., Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Mendler emphasized the positive outcomes from recent testing, alluding to the potential for unlocking new advancements in satellite communications.
As Northwood Space emerges as a serious contender in the GSaaS market, it faces competition from established players like Amazon, which recently launched AWS Ground Station services, and satellite communications leader Eutelsat, which has unveiled significant investments in ground station technologies. However, Mendler remains optimistic about Northwood’s unique value proposition, arguing that the need for increased efficiency and modern solutions will pave the way for their success.
The timing may be particularly ripe for Northwood; the demand for satellite connectivity is surging as more countries and companies invest in space infrastructure and explore the expanding market for satellite-based applications. With the potential disruptions caused by older technologies, the opportunity for Northwood Space to succeed seems promising.
The success of Northwood Space in developing an advanced ground station system is emblematic of the rapid evolution of the space industry into a more interconnected landscape. Bridgit Mendler’s leadership and vision highlight how innovative approaches can address longstanding challenges in satellite communications and pave the way for enhanced operational capabilities.
As the company prepares for its first Portal deployments, the implications of their work extend far beyond the immediate goals of improved connectivity. If successful, Northwood could redefine how businesses and organizations interact with space-based technologies, ushering in a new era of satellite communications—one where efficiency, affordability, and scalability define the future of connectivity.