Space Micro air-to-space lasercom system. Photo: Spac Micro

The U.S. Air Force AFWERX program has awarded Space Micro a contract to develop an air-to-space laser communications system. Space Micro, owned by Voyager Space, offers commercial laser communications products that address air-to-space laser communications problems, primarily caused by the instability of Earth’s atmosphere. 

Space Micro is working on a project called Deformo, to develop an air-to-space laser communications pod that could be deployed on a variety of Air Force aircraft. The company is partnering with Rhea Space Activity (RSA) and Johns Hopkins University (JHU) to develop an adaptive optics solution that uses deformable mirrors to transmit a laser signal through turbulence unhindered. 

“This phase I effort will provide the necessary feedback to develop the scientific and engineering infrastructure needed to provide an optical communication chain between airborne assets and geostationary communications satellites,” said Dave Strobel, executive chair of Space Micro. “Deformo is intended to give our stealth aircraft the ability to securely communicate during sensitive operations without giving away their positions.”

Space Micro and the team can participate in customer discovery with key Air Force and U.S. Space Force stakeholders. Space Micro also plans to demonstrate how such a capability will fit into U.S. defense practices and the broader U.S. space environment. Financial terms of the contract were not disclosed.