Apple Has A Secret Team Working On Satellites

Apple appointed a team that is secretly working on satellite technology to beam Internet services directly to devices. This technology will bypass wireless networks, as per the people familiar with the work.

The iPhone maker has multiple engineers from the satellite, aerospace, and antenna design industries that are currently working on the project to deploy their results within 5 years. Apple CEO Tim Cook has shown interest in the project, indicating it’s a company priority.

Apple also explores satellites for more accurate location tracking for its devices, enabling improved maps and other advanced features. Yet, It’s not clear if Apple anticipates pursuing the costly development of a satellite constellation itself or simply harnessing on-the-ground equipment.

Apple has hired new software and hardware experts for the team, looking for engineers with experience in designing components for communications equipment. The company has also appointed additional executives from the wireless data delivery fields and aerospace.

John Fenwick and Michael Trela, former aerospace engineers who helped lead satellite imaging company Skybox Imaging, lead the team. In the initial years, Trela and Fenwick explored the feasibility of developing satellite technology and also understand the problem that they want to solve.

Trela and Fenwick still work within Apple’s hardware engineering division, but now report to Riccio’s lieutenant in charge of iPhone engineering. The team has recently added people from the wireless industry, including one of the leading names in wireless technologies, Matt Ettus.

The company has also hired Ashley Moore Williams, an executive from Aerospace Corp., and Daniel Ellis, a former Netflix Inc. executive. Under the guidance of Tim Cook, Apple has rapidly expanded its RnD budget, spending $16 billion in the 2019 fiscal year, an increase of 14% from the previous year.