Hedron

Hedron, established in 2016, provides a satellite-based data relay network designed to reduce latency in space-to-Earth communications. The company's technology enables the transmission of satellite data through a combination of optical and radio frequency (RF) systems. Through its network infrastructure, Hedron aims to decrease communication times from 20 minutes to two seconds between satellites and ground stations. The company's software-defined radios are capable of ingesting Earth-observation data across various radio frequencies, while its inter-satellite laser optical communication system achieves data rates of 622 Mbps, which exceeds Starlink's 100 Mbps capability. The system is also backwards-compatible, allowing it to receive and downlink data from existing satellites in orbit. Hedron has demonstrated its technology through two cubesats and laboratory testing. The company's target market includes Earth observation satellites, which operate within a USD 7.5 billion market as of September 2023.

Key customers and partnerships

In early 2021, Hedron secured a USD 26.4 million contract with the US Space Force for an initial demonstration of its satellite network. NASA has also shown interest in Hedron's network as a potential commercial alternative to its government-owned Tracking and Data Relay Satellites system.