Recent activity
Why this organization matters now
Dated Mar 10, 2025
Orbital publicly announced two CSA-supported converter projects in March 2025, and its current product catalogue lists the resulting space-rated Ka-band up/down-converter family.
Source: Orbital Research selected for Canadian space development initiative (opens in a new tab)Reviewed assessment
Where this organization could contribute.
Follow the reviewed Mission area and Defence need connections to understand the problem this organization may help address, the public evidence behind the assessment, and what to verify before engagement.
Mission areas
Contributing capability
Space-rated Ka-band up/down converter
Arctic Domain Awareness
Compact high-throughput satellite converters could support communications and Earth-observation data links for northern missions, but no Arctic platform, link or deployment is publicly documented.
Evidence strength: Needs ReviewCapability last reviewed Sep 19, 2026
Open Mission areaContributing capability
Space-rated Ka-band up/down converter
Edge Data Processing
Reviewed connections indicate possible relevance based on public evidence. They do not indicate procurement direction, eligibility, endorsement or customer interest.
Technologies and services
A closer look at the products, services, operating features, and documented applications that shape the organization’s role.
Space-rated Ka-band up/down converter
Space-rated Ka-band up/down converter
What it enables
Orbital combines Ka-band uplink and downlink conversion in a software-configurable module for CubeSat and SmallSat payloads. Radiation-hardened and COTS variants have configuration-specific qualification; environmental and radiation tests are supplied when specified.
Public record
Public programs and contracts
Dated participation, delivery roles, partnerships, and disclosed funding provide the operating context behind the profile.
Ecosystem relationships
Space Technology Development Program contribution recipient
Canadian Space Agency
The Canadian Space Agency supported Orbital Research's K-band converter development toward flight-ready software-defined satellite modules; the contribution does not establish a defence procurement or operational mission.
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Questions for a first conversation
Which hardware revision and parts class were tested, what radiation and thermal-vacuum reports accompany delivery, and what flight heritage applies to that exact configuration?
Separates receiver and converter roles and makes qualification conditional on the delivered configuration.
Geography
Burnaby, British Columbia
The map is centred on Burnaby. It does not imply a street address or exact facility location.
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Sources behind this profile
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Public sources cited · Facts and assessments kept separate · Human review
Public sources
7
Last reviewed
Sep 19, 2026
Identity and profile
- Open source: Orbital Research selected for Canadian space development initiative (opens in a new tab)
Orbital Research selected for Canadian space development initiative
Orbital Research · Mar 10, 2025
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