Adelaide-based artificial intelligence firm AICRAFT has secured backing through the Manufacturing Growth Accelerator (MGA) Program to develop next-generation electronics for spaceborne radar.
In collaboration with Flinders University, the project aims to integrate an advanced front-end electronics system with a low-power analogue-to-digital converter (ADC) designed specifically for synthetic aperture radar (SAR) payloads.
Overcoming Data Latency in Orbital Imaging
Traditional SAR systems generate massive data volumes that often exceed the downlink capacity of small satellite platforms, leading to significant delays in information delivery. The new system is designed to connect directly to AICRAFT’s Pulsar Pro edge computing device, enabling full-accuracy data acquisition and real-time signal processing in situ.
By performing signal processing on the satellite itself, the system reduces the energy demand and communication bandwidth required to transmit imagery to Earth. This technical shift allows high-performance radar capabilities, typically reserved for multi-tonne satellites, to be integrated into 100 kg-class platforms, significantly lowering the barrier to entry for commercial and defense orbital imaging.
Collaborative Development at Factory of the Future
The project will be executed at the Flinders University Factory of the Future facility within the Tonsley Innovation District. This initiative builds upon a February 2025 grant from the South Australian Space Collaboration and Innovation Fund, which initially supported AICRAFT’s partnership with India-based Guerin Technologies to develop a lightweight, compact SAR antenna.
The current MGA-supported phase focuses on the “front-end” of the radar stack, ensuring the ADC can handle high-fidelity signal conversion at ultra-low power levels. The integration of the Guerin antenna with AICRAFT’s Pulsar Pro electronics forms the basis of a sovereign Australian radar payload intended for the global NewSpace market.
Technical Specifications and Payload Capability
The integrated SAR solution focuses on Size, Weight, Power, and Cost (SWaP-C) optimization to enable deployment on smallsat constellations.
- Processor: Pulsar Pro edge computing device with integrated machine learning.
- Converter: Low-power, high-accuracy Analogue-to-Digital Converter (ADC).
- Antenna Partner: Guerin Technologies (India) for lightweight SAR aperture.
- Target Platform: 100 kg-class satellites.
- Primary Applications: Maritime vessel tracking, flood extent mapping, and infrastructure damage surveys.
“We are developing a disruptive capability that meets the increasing demand for real-time information, with a solution compact enough to operate on 100 Kg-class satellites instead of multi-tonne platforms,” said Dr. Tony Scoleri, CEO of AICRAFT.
In-Orbit Validation
The partnership with Flinders University will deliver prototype hardware and validated designs throughout 2026. AICRAFT has confirmed a space technology demonstration is planned for the second quarter of 2027. This mission will integrate the full electronics suite and SAR antenna into a satellite platform for in-orbit validation, serving as the final milestone before the technology is offered to commercial constellation operators and airborne platform providers.
