Focus: Optical Communications
January 24, 2024
Dutch research firm TNO and AAC ClydeSpace have successfully transferred data from a laser satellite communications terminal in space down to Earth in a recent demonstration. The laser communication system called SmallCAT was launched in April 2023 aboard NORSAT-TD, a satellite operated by the Norwegian Space Agency. TNO said in a Wednesday announcement that the…
December 19, 2023
Axiom Space is partnering with Kepler Communications US and Skyloom Global to integrate and demonstrate optical inter-satellite links (OISLs) on the first module of the company’s commercial space station. The companies announced Dec. 19 what they are calling an orbital data center. This work will allow for data to be transmitted to and from the…
December 14, 2023
Amazon’s prototype Kuiper satellites are equipped with optical inter-satellite links, Amazon revealed Dec. 14, along with the news the links have been successfully tested in space. Amazon shared that its prototype satellites launched in October include advanced optical communications payloads which completed multiple successful demonstrations. In the tests in early November, the payloads maintained 100…
December 1, 2023
Tesat delivered the first optical communications terminals to Lockheed Martin for the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 1 Transport Layer, the company announced Dec. 1. Lockheed will integrate the Tesat terminals on 42 small satellites that the company is building for the SDA’s data transport layer. These terminals recently completed ground interoperability tests for the SDA…