SpaceX, a renowned aerospace manufacturer and service provider, has been rapidly advancing their satellite development capabilities since 2019, through several savvy business acquisitions, one of which has been their purchase of Swarm Technologies. This move has enabled SpaceX to develop and implement unique propulsion technologies in their most recent satellites, which are a vital part of the company’s Starlink internet projects.
Initially, Swarm Technologies impressed SpaceX by their comprehensive knowledge of miniature satellites, powerful processors and reliable wireless communication systems. They also demonstrated their capabilities in creating thrusters with accelerated life cycles, something which SpaceX sees as one of the most important features of their upcoming Starlink satellites.
The thrusters are a particularly noteworthy achievement made by the two companies upon their merger. Due to the small size of the Starlink satellites, additional propulsion abilities are necessary to make them more maneuverable so they remain in the desired orbits. Proprietary thrusting systems developed through the acquisition of Swarm Technologies allow SpaceX to more precisely position and consequently adjust the orientation of the satellites.
As a result of this move, SpaceX has been able to launch a considerable number of Starlink satellites in rapid succession. This is a remarkable achievement for the company, especially when considering the SpaceX emphasis on speed, cost efficiency, and bold engineering.
The Starlink project has been actively welcoming customers since May 2020 and has now grown to include around 650,000 active subscribers. As of the end of 2020, Musk & Co. have launched a total of 1,598 Starlink satellites due to their integrated efforts together with Swarm Technologies. The excellently functioning thrusters are thought to be the key factors in reducing the time requirement to beam high-speed internet to over 800,000 subscribers.
All in all, it can be concluded that SpaceX’s investment in Swarm Technologies has been mutually beneficial and is sure to net the company further success in the upcoming years, especially with their internet projects. This is a perfect example of the increased need for flexible and cost-effective technological solutions in businesses, showing that astute investments can indeed pay off.
