---
title: "CASTOR Ku 8×16"
date: "2026-10-09T13:37:41+00:00"
url: "https://hiskysat.com/defense/forcelite/castor/"
description: "Secure satellite communication and control for small, long-range manned and unmanned platforms."
---

# CASTOR Ku 8×16

[ForceLITE](https://hiskysat.com/defense/#products)

Secure satellite communication and control for small, long-range manned and unmanned platforms.

Download datasheet[View specifications](#specifications)

[Video](https://hiskysat.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/castor-motion-alpha-clean-20261004.webm)

ForceLITE · CASTOR Ku 8×16

## Technical specifications

Terminal specifications from the CASTOR Ku 8×16 data sheet.

### RF and data

- **Duplexing mode**Half duplex (TDD)
- **Data rate**5-3000 kbps
- **Networking and protocols**Layer 2 / Layer 3 / Proxy / VoIP / FTP
- **Air protocol**HiSKY proprietary
- **Encryption**AES-256
- **Frequency range**TX: 13.75-14.5 GHz; RX: 10.75-12.75 GHz
- **EIRP**29 dBW @ 0° scan; 26 dBW @ 60° scan (typical)
- **Bandwidth**1.45-21 MHz
- **G/T**-5.9 dB/K @ 0° scan; -9 dB/K @ 60° scan
- **Azimuth range**0-360°
- **Elevation angle**-60° to +60°
- **Tx & Rx polarization**V, H
- **IMU**Accelerometers and gyroscope

### Modem specifications

- **Modulation**BPSK
- **FEC rate**1/3
- **FEC type**Turbo Convolutional Code
- **ACM**Optional
- **Roll-off factor**0.2 / 0.35
- **Spreading factor**1-256
- **Receiver lock time**≤50 ms
- **Sensitivity**1.5 dB
- **C/N threshold**Eb/N0 + 10log10(CodingRate/SF)

### Interfaces

- **Connectivity**DC, Ethernet, Wake up I/O; Ethernet 10/100Base-T
- **Circular connector**14 pin; Power: tv07wci11-35pf459; Data: tv07wci13-35sf459
- **User interface**Terminal status indication
- **Recovery (optional)**Protected push button
- **GNSS (optional)**GPS, QZSS, GLONASS, BeiDou
- **Wireless (optional)**IEEE 802.11b/g/n, 2.4 GHz
- **Management**Software ICD / web interface

### Power

- **Idle**15 W
- **Tx off + Rx on**25 W
- **Tx on + Rx on**115 W (both low-power and high-power rows in the supplied source)
- **Power-up**Automatic power-up upon connection to external power

### Environmental conditions

- **Operating temperature**-20 °C to +55 °C / -4 °F to +131 °F
- **Dust and water ingress**IP67
- **Vibration**SAE J1455
- **Salt spray**SAE J1455

## ForceLITE - CASTOR

SYSTEM

### ForceLITE

Defense-grade

TIER

### Secondary

Defense only

BAND

### Ku-band

Array 8×16

## Every ForceLITE terminal runs on the same backbone.

Hub, Lab and NMS serve both systems - one set of infrastructure, not a duplicate stack per line.

[01

### HiSKY Hub

Gateway

 ](https://hiskysat.com/platform/hub/) [02

### Lab

Integration & test

 ](https://hiskysat.com/platform/lab/) [03

### HiSKY NMS

Network management

 ](https://hiskysat.com/platform/nms/)

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## Ready to integrate CASTOR Ku 8×16?

[Contact us](https://hiskysat.com/contact/)