IoT CubeSat program of Nightjar receives progression from Rapidtek

Tech company Rapidtek announces successful reception of signals from the Nightjar 3U CubeSat, designed by the Taiwan Space Agency (TASA).

, and Administrator

2025 August 31 . 5:02 AM

2 min read

IoT CubeSat program of Nightjar progresses with Rapidtek's involvement

IoT CubeSat program of Nightjar receives progression from Rapidtek

Rapidtek Advances Satellite Communication Constellation Project

Rapidtek Technologies, a Taiwan-based company specializing in space communication modules and phased-array antenna technologies, is making significant strides in its satellite communication constellation project. The company's latest success, the "Nightjar" 3U CubeSat mission, has demonstrated substantial progress, paving the way for the launch of four 8U IoT CubeSats aboard SpaceX Falcon 9 rockets between late 2025 and mid-2026.

The 8U CubeSat program aims to establish an initial low Earth orbit (LEO) communications constellation by 2026, creating a LEO communications platform for commercial use. This constellation will provide enhanced communication capabilities, including Ku-band high-speed and LoRa low-speed IoT communications, Ku-band inter-satellite links, and precise orbit positioning with high-precision GPS receivers.

The first 8U CubeSat, Black Kite-1, has completed environmental testing and is in the launch preparation phase. Subsequent satellites are already being assembled. Rapidtek’s platform will target extending network coverage to remote areas beyond traditional infrastructures, initially focusing on Asian markets with a global expansion strategy beginning in 2026.

The success of the Nightjar mission, one of Taiwan's few privately led efforts to design, develop, and operate low Earth orbit (LEO) communication satellites, has verified Rapidtek's in-house communication payload in orbit and reached Technology Readiness Level 8 (TRL 8). This achievement confirms the system's maturity for commercial deployment.

Rapidtek has partnered with SpaceX for the launch of their IoT CubeSats, securing multiple Falcon 9 rocket deployments during the 2025–2026 timeframe. This collaboration enables Rapidtek to deploy their constellation efficiently into LEO, leveraging SpaceX’s commercial launch services.

The advanced 8U IoT CubeSats integrate complex payloads designed and developed by Rapidtek, validated through multiple testing phases focused on module completeness, satellite pointing accuracy, IoT payload performance, and robust data processing capabilities under harsh space conditions such as radiation and temperature extremes.

In addition to the Nightjar mission, Rapidtek has also partnered with the National Taipei University of Technology (NTUT) to establish Taiwan's first privately built Ku-band ground receiving station. These efforts position Rapidtek to become a key player in satellite IoT communications, offering scalable and integrated solutions to overcome connectivity barriers globally starting in 2026.

| Aspect | Status & Plans | |----------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Project Status | Nightjar 3U CubeSat mission successful; 8U CubeSat program advancing with Black Kite-1 in launch prep.| | Launch Plans | Four 8U CubeSats to launch on SpaceX Falcon 9 rockets between late 2025 and mid-2026. | | Technology Focus | Ku-band high-speed & LoRa low-speed IoT communication, Ku-band inter-satellite links, precise GPS. | | Constellation Goal | Initial LEO communications constellation for commercial use; coverage in remote areas; Asia focus. | | Partnership | Launch collaboration with SpaceX for rideshare deployments. |

The company is committed to strengthening partnerships with academia and international collaborators and enhancing Taiwan's role in the global LEO communication ecosystem. With the successful Nightjar mission and the ongoing development under the Startup CubeSat Program, Rapidtek is poised to advance space applications together with the Taiwan Space Agency (TASA) and contribute to the advancement of LEO satellite technology in Taiwan.