On March 23, 2026, NexSat Space Systems Corporation officially launched its operations and unveiled its flagship product, ACE (Aero Conformal ESA). Dubbed “The Invisible Antenna,” the system is a fully integrated Ku/Ka-band electronically steered antenna (ESA) designed to be embedded directly into an aircraft’s structure.
Developed in collaboration with Qorvo, the technology aims to eliminate the aerodynamic and structural penalties of traditional satellite radomes.
Traditional aircraft satellite antennas—often bulky “hump” radomes—create significant parasitic drag, increasing fuel consumption and complicating the airframe’s thermal and structural profile. NexSat’s ACE system addresses this by utilizing a patented 3D robotic additive manufacturing and compression mold (AM-CM) process to integrate the antenna into the aircraft’s composite skin, maintaining a perfectly flush, conformal surface.
Technical Integration and Qorvo Collaboration
The ACE system leverages advanced beamforming integrated circuit (BFIC) technologies from Qorvo to manage multi-beam, multi-orbit connectivity. By embedding the RF components into a resilient composite matrix, the antenna can withstand the extreme environmental stresses of high-speed flight, including the thermal and pressure loads associated with supersonic and hypersonic regimes.
The partnership with Qorvo, a major supplier of RF solutions for the defense and aerospace sectors, provides NexSat with the high-reliability semiconductor infrastructure required for high-G maneuvers. This integration allows for simultaneous multi-band (Ku/Ka) and multi-network operations, ensuring ubiquitous global coverage across LEO, MEO, and GEO constellations.
Performance Specifications
- Aperture Type: Fully conformal, structurally embedded electronically steered array (ESA).
- Frequency Bands: Simultaneous Ku and Ka-band operation (with L-band support in development).
- Manufacturing Process: Patented 3D robotic additive manufacturing and compression mold (AM-CM).
- Aerodynamics: Zero-profile installation, eliminating radome-induced drag.
- Flight Envelope: Engineered for business, commercial, and defense platforms, including high-G and hypersonic aircraft.
Executive Perspective
“With NexSat’s launch, we’re on a mission to rewrite the antenna rulebook with our Aero Conformal Electronically Scanned Array (ACE), bringing a smartphone-like simplicity to users and ubiquitous coverage anywhere in the world,” said David Horton, Founder and CEO of NexSat Space Systems. “This technology revolutionizes connectivity for today’s aircraft while establishing the foundation for the next generation of supersonic and hypersonic platforms.”
“The collaboration with NexSat highlights how Qorvo’s advanced beamforming IC technology can accelerate innovation across the aerospace communications market,” said Ryan Jennings, Director of Satcom and Systems Engineering at Qorvo. “Our proven capabilities in RF integration and system architectures are key enablers for high-performance, reliable connectivity across new flight domains.”
Timeline to Commercial Availability
NexSat is initially targeting the business jet market for its first commercial deployments, where the reduction in drag and improved aesthetics offer immediate value to operators. Scaled versions for narrow-body and wide-body commercial aircraft are currently in development.
| Milestone | Target Date |
| Official Company Launch | March 23, 2026 |
| Business Jet Integration Trials | Late 2026 |
| Commercial Narrow-Body Prototypes | 2027 |
| Hypersonic Platform Testing | 2028 |
