optical communications
DARPA seeking satellite laser terminals that can talk to any space network
DARPA is asking for ideas on how to make optical inter-satellite links that can connect government and commercial space communications systems in low Earth orbit.
In-Space Missions wins contract for British military smallsat
British smallsat developer In-Space Missions has won a contract from the U.K. Ministry of Defence to build a satellite to test optical communications.
Analytical Space Inc. hires KSAT’s Monson and Velazco of JPL
Satellite communications startup Analytical Space Inc. has hired former KSAT Inc. chief executive Katherine Monson as its chief commercial officer and Jose Velazco, former technical supervisor for the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s Advanced RF and Optical Technologies Group, as chief innovation officer.
DoD space agency to create marketplace for commercial satellite data
The Space Development Agency is looking to work with commercial operators of imaging satellites so they can send data directly to U.S. government satellites in orbit.
DoD space agency to launch laser communications experiments on SpaceX rideshare
A pair of cubesats built by General Atomics for the Space Development Agency will seek to demonstrate optical communications between satellites, and from satellites to a military drone aircraft.
Space Development Agency to add more laser links to satellites if the price is right
The Space Development Agency needs “affordable” optical terminals that can be mass produced.
Analytical Space wins $26.4 million to establish optical network
Satellite communications startup Analytical Space Inc. won a $26.4 million contract to develop and launch six cubesats and two hosted payloads to begin establishing Fast Pixel Network for optical communications.
Xenesis adopts revenue-sharing model for optical communications
Optical communications startup Xenesis is establishing revenue-sharing agreements with key suppliers.
Laser communications company Mynaric opens Washington office
Mynaric, a Germany-based manufacturer of optical satellite terminals, is expanding its footprint in the United States and opening an office in Washington D.C.
Aerospace Corp. seeks to license laser communications
The Aerospace Corp. is working to license commercially a laser communications subsystem that downlinked data at a rate of 200 megabits per second from three-unit cubesats.
German export ban blocks Mynaric’s first laser terminal from launching in China
Mynaric will not be able to launch its first laser communications terminal this year because of a German ban on exporting that technology to China, the company said Monday.
DoD to test laser communications terminals in low Earth orbit
The Space Development Agency says optical inter-satellite links are "one of the most critical technologies to be demonstrated."
Space Micro wins $3 million for laser communications terminal
The U.S. Space and Missile Systems Center awarded satellite component supplier Space Micro a $3 million contract for a laser communications terminal designed to transmit data at a rate of 100 gigabits per second.
French photonics startup Cailabs raises $8.8 million
Cailabs, a Rennes, France-based company founded in 2013, says it has developed a technology that controls the shape of light within optical fibers, enabling a thousandfold increase in data speeds.
Xenesis to test optical terminal on Bartolomeo platform
Xenesis, a laser communications startup, plans to conduct a space-based demonstration of its Xen-Hub Optical Communications terminal in 2021 on Bartolomeo, the Airbus Defense and Space external research platform on the International Space Station.
