Sivers Semi expands partnership with Thorium Space

February 12, 2024

$2.9M second-phase contract will drive development of next-gen satellite communications

Sivers Semiconductors has expanded its chipset agreement with Thorium Space SA to a second phase.

The first phase was aimed at delivering working engineering samples of dedicated chips for different mmWave bands. This $2.9 million second phase will further develop and validate the chips so they are ready for mass production and deployment.

Sivers Semiconductors anticipates revenue up to $2.1 million from this contract in the year 2024.

Sivers says its mmWave Ka-band technology, with its focus on electronic beam steering, is key for efficient satellite communications systems, reducing size, weight, and space needed for satellite transceivers.

Thorium Space recently announced collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA) on the HummingSAT project (artist impression above), aimed at developing telecommunications satellites for geostationary orbit (GEO), where Thorium’s digitally-defined payloads will play a key role. Thorium Space secured funding from the ESA for this endeavour, with a commitment of €8 million for the initial A/B phase and an additional €25 million for the subsequent C/D/E phase.