Go.BIC Service achieves TRL-9 following successful In-Orbit Verification

IQ spacecom is pleased to announce that its Go.BIC service has officially reached Technology Readiness Level 9 (TRL-9). Go.BIC is the first dynamic Global On-Demand Bi-directional Intersatellite Connection Service launched by RBC Signals in cooperation with IQ spacecom, a product branch of the German IQ Technologies for Earth and Space GmbH. Viasat’s global L-band GEO satellite network powers this solution.

Following the presentation and launch of the service last year, IQ spacecom’s XLink-L SDR platform was successfully deployed aboard a satellite from Rapid Cubes GmbH via an ARIANE-6 rocket in July 2024. After the initial satellite operations, in-orbit verification of the Go.BIC service commenced in September, with tests showing remarkable stability.

“This collaboration with IQ spacecom and Viasat exemplifies our commitment to delivering cutting-edge, flexible communication solutions for LEO satellite operators. Go.BIC’s dynamic intersatellite capabilities, backed by our global ground infrastructure and STORM platform, are already transforming how missions operate—ensuring connectivity wherever and whenever it’s needed”, said RBC Signals President & CEO Ron Faith.

Dr. Kurt Winter, CEO of IQ Technologies, stated: “We are proud that this service works so well, and we have the pleasure of collaborating with such experienced partners. Intensive discussions are already underway with interested parties regarding the use of the service for both individual missions and constellations across a wide range of satellite platforms, from CubeSats to large satellites.”

Go.BIC service: available – anywhere, anytime

The innovative Go.BIC service is designed to provide inter-satellite connections for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) operators. It enhances existing ground station networks by extending connectivity to previously unreachable areas, such as oceans, ensuring continuous communication for satellite operators. This improvement boosts operational efficiency through cost-effective telemetry and telecommand options, giving LEO satellite operators greater flexibility and control.

Communication links can be pre-booked or made available on short notice, making Go.BIC an ideal choice for time-sensitive space applications, like natural disaster monitoring and real-time satellite maneuvering.

Technical core

At the heart of the system is IQ spacecom’s XLink-L, a fully-featured bidirectional Software Defined Radio (SDR) platform that has consistently demonstrated outstanding performance across various missions and configurations over the past years. Another key component is RBC Signals’ ground station infrastructure, complemented by their Spectrum Trading Orchestration and Resource Management (STORM) platform. Based on this technical fundament and Viasat’s highly reliable, global L-band GEO satellite network, LEO satellite operators do not need to wait for ground stations to pass —Go.BIC is available anywhere, anytime.

For more information, please visit www.iq-spacecom.com/gobic.

Featured image credit: Freepik