LYNK Global

LYNK Global, formerly UbiquiLink, is a mobile network technology company focused on providing universal connectivity for mobile phones. The company is developing a satellite-to-mobile-phone Micro-satellite LEO constellation that will provide a cell tower in space using their patented technology without any changes in hardware or software.

LYNK will implement a network of small satellites to provide affordable cellular coverage to unmodified cellular devices, enabling messaging, data, IoT, and emergency communications everywhere on the planet. The test program has already successfully demonstrated critical functionalities needed for satellite-to-phone messaging initially using GSM technology.

The first LYNK payloads were tested in space and were orbited thru the Cygnus cargo spacecraft, operated by Northrop Grumman (former Orbital Sciences division) following their departure from the ISS. The first LYNK satellite was tested on Cygnus NG-10 in February 2019, the second on Cygnus NG-11 in August 2019 and the third on Cygnus NG-12 in January 2020.

The company tested another two free-flying satellites, LYNK 04 ULTP (UbiquiLink Test Payload) and LYNK 06 Shannon, that were launched on SpaceX’ Falcon 9 Block 5 rockets in March 2020 and June 2021. The launch of operational satellites, named LYNK Towers, started in April 2022 with 3 satellites launched as of January 2023.

The company is headquartered in Falls Church, VA USA and is competing with SpaceX, Iridium, GlobalStar and AST SpaceMobile.

Company History

LYNK Global was founded in 2016 by Margo Deckard (COO), Tyghe Speidel (CTO) and Charles Miller (CEO). The company was known as UbiquiLink and operated in stealth mode when testing connectivity with LEO satellites. Space entrepreneur Miller also founded startup NanoRacks, which has delivered more than 700 payloads to space and is the current world leader in Nano-satellite launches.

In July 2019 the company raised a 5,200,000 USD in a second seed round from Blazar Ventures, LLC. and Revolution Ventures. The company will finance the set-up of a second set of orbital tests for its ‘Cell tower in the sky’ technology.

The first LYNK payloads were tested in space and were orbited thru the Cygnus cargo spacecraft, operated by Northrop Grumman (former Orbital Sciences division) following their departure from the ISS. The first satellite was tested on Cygnus NG-10 in February 2019, the second on Cygnus NG-11 in August 2019 and the third on Cygnus NG-12 in January 2020. The NG-12 Cygnus mission was extended through April 2^nd, for additional tests. 

By May 2021, LYNK had launched four “cell-tower-in-space” test satellites into orbit. The fifth one, Shannon, was launched on 29 June 29^th, 2021 and is a test sat of a new design suitable for mass production. Shannon is larger and operates at a higher power level and greater telecom capacity than the earlier test satellites.

On September 22^nd, 2021 the company signed its first commercial agreements with mobile phone operators Aliv in the Bahamas, and Telecel Centrafrique in the Central African Republic. LYNK satellites will enable Aliv and Telecel subscribers to stay connected everywhere on the planet using a standard unmodified mobile phone. 

On November 3^rd, 2021 LYNK Global signed a commercial partnership agreement with Mongolia’s largest mobile operator, Unitel, enabling its subscribers to remain connected everywhere on the planet with ordinary cell phones. 

In February 2022 the company signed commercial agreements with Mobile Network Operators in the Pacific and Caribbean regions covering 7 islands nations.

On September 16^th, 2022 the company obtained the FCC’s regulatory approval to operate its initial cellphone compatible satellite constellation. The approval for LYNK Tower satellites 1 through 10 came with conditions that limit the startup’s use of radio frequencies to avoid interfering with other operators. 

On April 13^th, 2022 the company launched its first satellite, Link Tower 1, with the Transporter-4 RideShare mission on a Falcon 9 launch vehicle operated by SpaceX.

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Resources

www.lynk.world
www.spaceitbridge.com edition July 18^th, 2019
www.theverge.com  edition August 2^nd, 2019
www.spacenews.com  edition March 4^th, 2020
www.gulfnews.com  edition September 10^th, 2022
www.wikipedia.org
www.ukdaily.news  edition September 11^th, 2022
www.spacenews.com  edition September 19^th, 2022
www.space.skyrocket.de
www.golden.com
www.nasaspaceflight.com
www.crunchbase.com