10173994Development of a 3D-Printed, Electronically Steerable SATCOM Terminal for LEO Satellite CommunicationClosedFast Start ResponseInnovate UKTholos Systems is developing a breakthrough satellite communication terminal designed to meet the rising global demand for mobile, high-speed broadband connectivity. With the explosive growth of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellations, the need for efficient, low-cost, and high-performance ground terminals is more urgent than ever. Our innovation offers exactly that---a flat, lightweight, electronically steerable antenna system, manufactured using advanced 3D printing techniques. For decades, satellite communications have relied on large geostationary satellites and equally large, expensive ground equipment. But the rise of LEO satellites is changing everything. Unlike traditional geostationary systems that appear stationary in the sky, LEO satellites move rapidly, requiring ground antennas that can track them and seamlessly switch from one to another. Our electronically scanned lens antenna offers this capability, enabling uninterrupted broadband communication with satellites in motion. At the heart of our system is a 3D-printed Luneburg lens---a unique, spherical antenna component that uses transformation optics to steer satellite beams electronically without the need for complex moving parts. This design replaces expensive beamforming hardware with a simpler and more reliable system of switches and printed dielectric materials, dramatically reducing cost and power consumption while improving durability and scan performance. Our terminals are especially suited for Communications-on-the-Move (COTM) and Communications-on-the-Pause (COTP) applications---such as vehicles in motion, emergency response teams, tactical communications, and mobile broadband platforms. We offer a powerful alternative to bulky, mechanically steered systems or costly phased-array antennas, providing broadband data rates of over 100 Mbps at a fraction of the price. Our use of advanced 3D printing enables rapid prototyping, reduced lead times, and scalable production, allowing us to serve markets that have traditionally been underserved due to the high cost and complexity of legacy systems. By eliminating moving parts and replacing them with robust, electronically steerable components, we also reduce maintenance needs and improve long-term reliability. With a growing global demand for satellite internet access across both civil and defense sectors, our solution is well-positioned to fill a critical gap in the market. It combines the benefits of advanced materials, modern manufacturing, and smart engineering---enabling affordable, reliable, and globally available satellite connectivity anytime and anywhere.