Bridgit Mendler's Northwood Space Achieves Milestone with Successful Satellite Antenna Test
Bridgit Mendler, known for her career as an actress and singer, is making headlines in an entirely new field — space technology. As the CEO of Northwood Space, a startup she co-founded, Mendler has recently overseen a significant milestone: her company successfully completed the first test of its prototype antenna system by connecting with Planet Labs’ satellites in orbit. This achievement marks a crucial step in Northwood’s mission to revolutionize satellite communication infrastructure on Earth.
Northwood Space is focused on addressing a critical aspect of space connectivity — ground stations. These stations are essential for enabling data transmission between satellites in orbit and Earth, serving as the backbone for managing satellite operations. Traditionally, large parabolic dish antennas have been used for this purpose. However, Northwood is betting on a more advanced phased array technology to overcome the limitations of older systems. Their phased array antenna, dubbed "Frankie," was put to the test in North Dakota, successfully connecting to a Planet Labs satellite, validating the technology both in the lab and in the field.
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What sets Northwood’s system apart is its ability to connect with multiple satellites at once, as opposed to the one-to-three connections typical of parabolic dishes. This innovation could significantly increase the efficiency of satellite ground communication, a crucial need in the growing space industry. With over 150 imagery satellites in orbit, Planet Labs hailed the test as a "major milestone," recognizing Northwood’s phased array technology as a solution to the cost and scalability issues traditionally faced in this sector.
Mendler explained that her vision is to modernize connectivity for space companies by eliminating "super expensive networks" and introducing a new standard. Northwood’s system, called Portal, is designed to be mass-produced, enabling widespread deployment. The company aims to launch its first Portal sites in 2025, with locations under consideration in the U.S., Europe, and Australia.
This successful test is just the beginning for Northwood. With plans to roll out more antennas and ground stations in the near future, the company is poised to make a significant impact on the space industry. Mendler and her team have proven that their innovative approach to ground station technology could be a game-changer, helping to bridge the gap between satellites and Earth in a more efficient and cost-effective way.
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