Success Stories

Launched in March 2025, NASA’s SPHEREx (Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization, and Ices Explorer) space telescope has completed its first infrared map of the entire sky in 102 wavelengths. Circling Earth approximately 14½ times per day, SPHEREx collects roughly 3,600 images daily and builds a complete 360-degree all-sky mosaic over a six-month survey cycle. Managed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), the observatory returns science data via Ka-band downlink through NASA’s Near Space Network ground stations.

QuinStar contributed a space-qualified Ka-band upconverter supporting SPHEREx’s science data downlink communications chain, enabling reliable transmission of mission data throughout on-orbit operations.

Learn more here: NASA’s SPHEREx Observatory Completes First Cosmic Map Like No Other | NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)

JAXA’s GOSAT-GW (“IBUKI GW”), with Mitsubishi Electric as prime contractor, now features the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer-3 (AMSR3) delivering early observations of global precipitation, including high-latitude snowfall, water-vapor profiles, sea-surface temperature, and sea ice. AMSR3 adds new high-frequency channels and achieves near-global coverage in ~3 days with its wide swath. QuinStar contributed a set of four space-qualified 84.5 GHz Gunn-diode local oscillators that enable AMSR3’s 89 GHz radiometer channels, providing spectral purity and stability for continuous on-orbit operations.

Learn more here: Learn more here: Early Observation Results of AMSR3 (GOSAT-GW)

Launched July 30, 2025, NISAR—the first satellite to combine L-band (25 cm) and S-band (10 cm) SAR—began commissioning with striking L-band imagery over North Dakota (Aug 23, 2025), revealing forests, wetlands, and agricultural patterns with canopy penetration and soil-moisture sensitivity. Science operations commence in November. QuinStar contributed space-qualified Ka-band (25.5–27 GHz) SSPAs that power NISAR’s dual-polarized high-rate data downlink (~1 W per pol), enabling reliable transmission of massive science data volumes to ground.

Learn more here: Quick Facts | Mission – NASA–ISRO SAR (NISAR)

NASA GSFC Achieves Milestone Upgrade for Cloud Radar System (CRS): Unveiling Modern Solid-State Technology and Enhanced Capabilities. The transformation includes replacing the extended interaction klystron (EIK) transmitter with a QuinStar 30 Watt 94 GHz SSPA, unlocking superior reliability, pulsed compression, reduced mass, and size, while eliminating the need for high-voltage electronics. The CRS, a cutting-edge airborne polarimetric Doppler radar, now delivers unparalleled observations of clouds and precipitation from the surface to the lower stratosphere. Embarked on the NASA ER-2 high-altitude aircraft, it gracefully operates at altitudes ranging from 20,000 to 70,000 feet.

Learn more here: The NASA/GSFC 94 GHz Airborne Solid State Cloud Radar System (CRS)

NASA’s groundbreaking DopplerScatt airborne instrument utilizes Doppler scatterometry measurements, revolutionizing the estimation of ocean vector winds and currents, concurrently. Operating seamlessly at Ka-Band, DopplerScatt boasts an impressive coverage of approximately 24 km at 28 kft, offering the flexibility to observe multiple azimuth directions. For this highly successful mission, still actively contributing to airborne science, QuinStar delivered a high-performance Ka-Band Solid State Power Amplifier (SSPA) and converters, achieving an outstanding 100 Watts of output power through Gallium Nitride MMIC device technology. Meticulously designed for airborne applications, these components underscore QuinStar’s commitment to advancing scientific exploration.

Learn more here: Doppler Scatterometry (DopplerScatt) | NASA Airborne Science Program

AirSWOT, an airborne instrument mirroring space-bound SWOT, captures interferometric measurements crucial for NASA’s mission success. This data aids NASA’s engineering team in refining SWOT’s design, aligning it with mission science objectives by providing insights into Earth’s natural properties. Not only essential for SWOT, AirSWOT’s data serves standalone scientific studies. QuinStar’s contribution to AirSWOT includes a Ka-band SSPA with 50 Watt output power, converters, a power distribution network, and versatile slot array antennas with a wide range of beam shapes, all meticulously designed for airborne precision.

Learn more here: AirSWOT | Mission – NASA SWOT

Scheduled for launch in 2024, the ESA/JAXA/NICT satellite EarthCARE is equipped with a cutting-edge W-band JAXA/NICT Cloud Profiling Radar (CPR) instrument. This advanced technology is designed not only to provide precise vertical profile measurements of clouds, but also to observe cloud particle velocities through Doppler measurements. QuinStar contributed significantly by developing and producing 94 GHz active components for the Transmit-Receive Subsystem (TRS). These components include a W-band Low-Noise Amplifier (LNA) featuring external bias circuits, an Active Multiplier (X6), upconverter and downconverter, and a medium-power amplifier tailored to drive the tube amplifier.

Learn more here: EarthCARE – Earth Online (esa.int)

Explore the joint mission set to revolutionize our comprehension of Earth’s ecosystems, surfaces, and ice masses. Navigate through the pioneering Low Earth Orbit (LEO) project here, where QuinStar’s contribution in the NASA-ISRO SAR (NISAR) encompasses two Ka-band SSPAs, using Gallium Arsenide Power Amplifier MMICs to generate 50 Watts of power vital for the payload. Beyond this, QuinStar supplies the Lo distribution network, upconverter, and various associated components, underlining the company’s indispensable role in advancing spaceborne technology.

Learn more here: Quick Facts | Mission – NASA-ISRO SAR Mission (NISAR)