How RFShop and Black Art Technologies are helping reshape astronaut and emergency communications
What if astronauts could talk back during an emergency on the Moon?
That is the powerful vision behind Beagle, a groundbreaking waveform developed by Safety From Space. Compact, efficient, and designed for the harshest environments, Beagle supports two-way satellite voice and text communication in situations where traditional infrastructure and GPS are unavailable.
Beagle is a key element of LunaSAR, a NASA-led initiative focused on advancing astronaut safety through innovative search and rescue communication systems. The technology also shows enormous potential for remote and emergency applications here on Earth.
From concept to demonstration
On 28 August 2025, Safety From Space demonstrated the Beagle waveform in a live field test at Lot Fourteen in Adelaide. The event included participation from Australian astronaut and STEM ambassador Katherine Bennell-Pegg and marked an important milestone in proving the capability of the system.
This demonstration showed that Beagle can deliver direct two-way messaging using current beacon standards while operating reliably on limited power. The system is being developed to function in austere environments such as the lunar surface, and its potential use cases extend to defence, remote medical response, and disaster recovery.
Planned testing in the rugged Arkaroola region of South Australia will continue validating its performance in Moon-like conditions.
RFShop’s role in enabling success
At Black Art Technologies and RFShop, we are proud to support Safety From Space with:
- Advanced antenna design tailored for low-power and high-performance satellite communication
- Prototype hardware development to enable successful field demonstrations
- Specialist RF expertise that ensures precision, integration, and readiness for space-grade deployment
Our involvement in this project reflects our broader commitment to building sovereign capability in Australia’s growing space and defence sectors. It also showcases the value of close collaboration between local engineering teams and innovative tech companies, driving global impact.
Beagle’s potential beyond the Moon
While the initial goal of Beagle is to support astronauts during extravehicular activity on the Moon, its utility does not stop there. This technology can improve emergency communication in some of the most remote locations on Earth, where lives depend on fast and reliable connections.
Whether it is for search and rescue, mining, defence, or environmental monitoring, the future for Beagle and technologies like it is exciting.
Partner with RFShop
If you are working on space systems, advanced RF communications, or rugged connectivity solutions, RFShop is ready to help. We combine high precision RF engineering with practical delivery to support complex projects across aerospace, defence, IoT, and telecommunications.
Contact us today to discuss how we can support your innovation with custom antennas, RF hardware, and real-world expertise.
📧 enquiries@rfshop.com.au
🌐 www.rfshop.com.au