Elve Reaches Milestone in Spaceflight Readiness
The California‑based startup Elve has announced that its 100‑watt millimeter‑wave traveling wave tube amplifier (TWTA) has completed qualification for use in space. The achievement was made possible through a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract with the US Space Force.
The TWTA operates in the millimeter‑wave band and delivers an output power of 100 watts. This makes it suitable for communications and payload applications on satellites that require high data rates and precise signal processing.
Qualification involved a series of environmental tests, including vibration, thermal cycling and radiation exposure, that mimic the conditions of space. After successful completion the amplifier is considered flight‑ready and can be integrated into future spacecraft systems.
Elve notes that the SBIR funding was critical in accelerating the development work. The company intends to tailor the platform to specific customer needs and support early flight missions in the coming years.