FreeFall Aerospace

FreeFall Aerospace, founded in 2016, is a Tucson, Arizona-based company specializing in advanced antenna technology for both space and ground communications. The company originated from a technology transfer partnership with the University of Arizona, leveraging research from radio astronomy and planetary exploration. Co-founders include Doug Stetson, who brings nearly 30 years of experience from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in systems engineering and mission design, and Dr. Chris Walker, a professor at the University of Arizona with over 30 years of expertise in designing and building antenna and receiver systems for terahertz astronomy. The initial concept for the company's inflatable antenna technology was serendipitously discovered by Dr. Walker decades ago.

FreeFall Aerospace addresses the increasing demand for high-performance, low-cost data transmission in the aerospace and defense industries. It serves a range of clients, from government and military agencies to commercial satellite operators and universities. The company's business revolves around the development and sale of its proprietary antenna systems and related engineering services, including custom feed systems and space mission analysis. In Spring 2020, FreeFall Aerospace partnered with ED2 Corporation to form FreeFall 5G, Inc., aiming to adapt its technology for the global 5G market.

The company's core products are its innovative antenna systems, which utilize a spherical reflector design to offer significant size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C) advantages over traditional parabolic antennas. A key offering is the patented Inflatable Antenna System, an ultra-lightweight and compact solution for small spacecraft that inflates on orbit. This design provides a wide field of view and enables rapid, efficient beam steering with minimal moving parts, making it ideal for tracking satellite constellations in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Medium Earth Orbit (MEO). For ground applications, the All Sky Antenna features a stationary spherical reflector, which reduces operational complexity and power consumption, suiting it for remote and rural locations. The company has received multiple funding rounds, including a Series A for $1.3M in October 2023, and was named Startup Innovator of the Year in 2019 by the Arizona Commerce Authority.

Keywords: antenna technology, satellite communications, aerospace, defense, space technology, inflatable antenna, ground station, SWaP-C, spherical reflector antenna, LEO satellite communications, MEO satellite communications, satcom, RF engineering, space mission analysis, deployable antennas, 5G communications, cislunar communications, University of Arizona spinoff, high-gain antenna, remote sensing