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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 2nd, 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 29th, 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 22nd, 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 3rd, 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 16th, 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 13th, 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.

SatelliteMissionLaunch DateLauncherLaunch Operator
Demo/Test (hosted Payload)Cygnus NG10Dec 5th, 2018Falcon 9 SpaceX USA
Demo/Test (hosted Payload)Cygnus NG11Apr 17th, 2019Antares 230 Northrop G. USA
Demo/Test (hosted Payload)Cygnus NG12Mar 17th, 2020Antares 230 Northrop G. USA
Lynk 04 (ULTP)Cygnus NG13Mar 7th, 2020Falcon 9 SpaceX USA
Lynk 06 ShannonTransporter-2Jun 30th, 2021Falcon 9SpaceX USA
LYNK Tower 1 (Lynk 05)Transporter-4Apr 13th, 2022Falcon 9 SpaceX USA
LYNK Tower 22024
LYNK Tower 3 (Lynk 08)Transporter-6Jan 3rd, 2023Falcon 9 SpaceX USA
LYNK Tower 4 (Lynk 09)Transporter-6Jan 3rd, 2023Falcon 9SpaceX USA
LYNK Tower 5Transporter-10Mar 4th, 2024Falcon 9SpaceX USA
LYNK Tower 6Transporter-10Mar 4th, 2024Falcon 9SpaceX USA


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Resources

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