Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies Heng Swee Keat
Singapore’s Addvalue Technologies has developed the Inter-satellite Data Relay System (IDRS), a compact device that enables continuous communication between spacecraft and Earth. This technology will be integrated into Haven-1, the world’s first commercial manned space station, developed by U.S. aerospace company Vast and scheduled to orbit Earth by August 2025.
Currently, most commercial satellites and spacecraft can connect with Earth for only about 4% of their time in space, as they require a direct line of sight with ground stations during their orbit. This limited connectivity poses challenges in responding to emergencies and gathering timely data. Addvalue’s IDRS addresses this issue by providing a constant communication link, enhancing safety and operational efficiency for missions like Haven-1.
The IDRS terminal is a modest-looking metallic box that can be held in one hand and weighs only 1kg. Its cost, though, is in the six digits.
