Bridgit Mendler’s Northwood passes first satellite antenna test [Video]

Northwood Space, the startup led by former television star and singer Bridgit Mendler, passed its first major development test last week by connecting with Planet Labs imagery satellites in orbit.

“We’re building this global network to send data for satellites, built off of phased array technology that we have now successfully validated, both in the lab and in the field,” Mendler, Northwood’s CEO, told CNBC.

El Segundo, California-based Northwood, unveiled earlier this year, is focused on the ground side of the space connectivity equation. Ground stations are the vital link for transmitting data to and from orbit and are especially crucial for operating and controlling satellites.

The startup is developing ground stations to be mass-produced and betting that its phased …