Aurora Ka-Band Satcom Terminal
Thorium Space Technology
Flat-panel AESA Ka-band satcom terminal forming two simultaneous transmit/receive beams to satellites in any orbit (LEO/MEO/GEO), with a ruggedized Aurora-Pro variant for defence use.
Key figurescomparable across the catalogue
- Power
- 24 W
- Data rate
- 1,000 Mbps
Normalised to common units so this product can be compared with others in its category. The supplier's own wording is below.
As published by the supplier
- Operating frequency (TX)
- 27–31.5 GHz
- Operating frequency (RX)
- 17.7–21.2 GHz
- Connection interface
- Ethernet
- Operating temperature range
- -40°C to 55°C
- Maximum beam steering angle (electronic)
- Azimuth ±65°, elevation ±65°
- Maximum antenna positioning angle (manual, initial)
- Azimuth ±180°, elevation ±90°
- Supported operation schemes
- TDMA, FDMA (SCPC), HTS
- Number of beams
- 2 simultaneous beams, any orbit
- Instantaneous bandwidth
- 2 GHz
- Eirp
- 64 dBm
- G/t
- >14 dB/K
- Xpd
- >25 dB
- Maximum throughput
- 1 Gbps
- Power input
- 24 VDC / 300 W
About
Aurora is Thorium Space Technology’s active electronically steered (AESA) flat-panel antenna terminal for broadband satellite communications in the Ka band. Instead of a mechanically steered dish, Aurora uses a flat phased array with fully electronic beam steering and no moving parts, and can digitally form two independent transmit and receive beams simultaneously, enabling bilateral communication with two GEO or non-GEO satellites at the same time.
The terminal integrates a modem card inside its housing and is compatible with third-party modems over an Ethernet interface, so it can operate under different air-interface standards. Built-in GNSS and IMU modules allow the terminal to autonomously locate the target satellite, while beam direction can also be configured manually; the unit can be placed flat on the ground or mounted on a tripod for initial positioning. Aurora can be powered from an AC mains adapter, vehicle 24 VDC power, or a battery pack, and is built to operate across a wide temperature range and in outdoor weather conditions.
Aurora was unveiled at the MSPO defence industry exhibition in Kielce, Poland in September 2023. A ruggedized, defence/government-oriented variant, Aurora-Pro, was subsequently presented at MSPO 2024 with reinforced housing, integrated carry handles and sealed connectors for field deployment.
Documentation
- THR_AURORA-SATCOM-TERMINAL_ulotka_trifold_02.pdf PDF source: web.archive.org ↗
- THORIUM_folder_A4_WEB.pdf PDF source: web.archive.org ↗
Need the full ICD, test reports or a specific revision? Ask the supplier directly.