Tech company Rapidtek reaches out to Nightjar, progressing the 8U IoT CubeSat project
Rapidtek Technologies, a Taiwan-based company specialising in space communication modules and phased-array antenna technologies, is set to revolutionise the IoT sector with its next-generation 8U CubeSat program. The program aims to create a low Earth orbit (LEO) communications platform, providing global IoT coverage, particularly in remote areas beyond traditional network reach.
Technical Specifications and Features
The 8U CubeSat, larger and more complex than Rapidtek’s earlier 3U CubeSat, boasts several advanced features. Communications include Ku-band high-speed link, LoRa low-speed link, and Ku-band inter-satellite links for constellation networking. For precise orbital positioning, the satellite will utilise a high-precision GPS receiver provided by the Taiwan Space Agency (TASA).
The 8U CubeSat also features a space-grade General-Purpose GPU, capable of radiation and temperature-hardened data processing, ensuring reliability under harsh space conditions. Integration includes phased-array antenna modules and integrated IoT payloads, designed for scalable applications.
Timeline
The first 8U CubeSat, Black Kite-1, has completed environmental testing and is currently in the launch preparation phase. Assembly of the second satellite is underway. Rapidtek plans to deploy its initial constellation by 2026, aiming for commercial readiness of the LEO IoT communications platform that year. The initial deployment focus will be in Asia, with a strategy to scale globally thereafter.
Achievements and Future Plans
The success of Rapidtek's Nightjar mission, one of Taiwan's few privately led efforts to design, develop, and operate LEO communication satellites, has paved the way for the development of high-throughput satellite (HTS) systems, multi-band satellite constellations, and large-scale commercial deployment. The Nightjar satellite's successful communication link, confirmed through Rapidtek's proprietary module, verified the stability and functionality of the satellite's communication chain, positioning Rapidtek as an industry leader in Taiwan's LEO satellite technology.
Rapidtek's space team considers the successful communication with Nightjar a major milestone in satellite communications. The 8U CubeSat IoT constellation program represents a key step towards scalable satellite communications deployment. Rapidtek recently announced successful signal reception from the Nightjar 3U CubeSat, a satellite developed under commission from the Taiwan Space Agency (TASA).
The company has also partnered with National Taipei University of Technology (NTUT) to establish Taiwan's first privately built Ku-band ground receiving station. This partnership further strengthens Rapidtek's position in the LEO satellite communications sector.
The 8U CubeSat constellation will support constellation communications and extend coverage to remote areas where traditional networks cannot reach, making a significant impact on the IoT industry and connectivity worldwide.
[1] Rapidtek Technologies Press Release, August 2025. [2] Taiwan Space Agency Report, August 2025.
1) Leveraging their expertise in space communication modules and phased-array antenna technologies, Rapidtek Technologies is developing an 8U CubeSat program that utilizes advanced features like Ku-band high-speed links, LoRa low-speed links, and inter-satellite links, along with a space-grade General-Purpose GPU, to revolutionize the space-and-astronomy and technology sectors and provide global Internet of Things (IoT) coverage, particularly in remote areas.
2) Building on the successful communication link established with the Nightjar satellite, a privately led LEO communication satellite project, Rapidtek Technologies is partnering with National Taipei University of Technology to establish Taiwan's first privately built Ku-band ground receiving station. This collaboration will further strengthen Rapidtek's position in the space-and-astronomy industry and contribute to the development of large-scale commercial LEO satellite constellations and high-throughput satellite (HTS) systems.
