{"id":55699,"date":"2022-03-23T17:49:31","date_gmt":"2022-03-23T09:49:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/stakeholders-see-a-bright-future-for-laser-satellite-communications\/"},"modified":"2022-03-23T17:49:31","modified_gmt":"2022-03-23T09:49:31","slug":"stakeholders-see-a-bright-future-for-laser-satellite-communications","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/stakeholders-see-a-bright-future-for-laser-satellite-communications\/","title":{"rendered":"Stakeholders See a Bright Future for Laser Satellite Communications"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The high bandwidth inter-satellite data links made possible by laser-based optical communications technology will revolutionize the satellite ecosystem, and enable a new generation of autonomous vehicles in orbit, a SATELLITE 2022 session heard Monday.<\/p>\n<p>But those developments might be stymied by the absence of standards. Conventional radio frequency, or RF, communications remains the most reliable medium for links to the ground, until technology finds a way to project lasers through rain, fog, or clouds, participants said at the panel \u201cLaser, RF, and the Future of Inter-Satellite Links.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/l8AvG0wxQYWa342RfugH_VS_ShowDaily20202220DGTL_Cover_Day4-300x225.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 120px; height: auto;\" decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/l8AvG0wxQYWa342RfugH_VS_ShowDaily20202220DGTL_Cover_Day4-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/l8AvG0wxQYWa342RfugH_VS_ShowDaily20202220DGTL_Cover_Day4-800x599.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/l8AvG0wxQYWa342RfugH_VS_ShowDaily20202220DGTL_Cover_Day4-640x480.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/l8AvG0wxQYWa342RfugH_VS_ShowDaily20202220DGTL_Cover_Day4.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\">\t\t\t<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"fs-5 mt-0\">Explore the Show Daily 2022 Day 4 Issue<\/h3>\n<p class=\"mb-0 fs-smaller text-balance\">Check out more from this issue and find your next story to read.<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t<button class=\"btn btn-primary\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"offcanvas\" data-bs-target=\"#offcanvasMENU\" aria-controls=\"offcanvasExample\" aria-label=\"button\" style=\"white-space: nowrap;\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\tView More <i class=\"bi bi-arrow-right-circle\"><\/i><br \/>\n\t\t\t<\/button><\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s as big of a leap forward in technology for the industry as when we first started networking computers with each other,\u201d said Bulent Altan, CEO of laser communications specialist Mynaric, describing optical inter-satellite links, or OISL. \u201cUp until recently, satellites were just singular objects flying in space only talking to the ground, essentially. Now we can have data exchanges in space. We can exchange our information from multiple sensors, from multiple data generators, and [process that and] generate a result in space and then decide where and when we\u2019re going to download it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In addition to creating a mesh network composed of connected satellites, the new OISL technology would also open new possibilities needed for future space exploration, added Michael Abad-Santos, the new CEO of BridgeComm, which builds laser ground stations. \u201cEventually we\u2019re going to be getting to the point where people are building major infrastructure in space, and we are going to need ubiquitous, high-throughput data communications in that environment. I think we are an enabling technology for that,\u201d said Abad-Santos.<\/p>\n<p>OISL is also the key to the resilient, hybrid space architecture envisaged by the U.S. military, explained Derek Tournear, director of the Space Development Agency. <\/p>\n<p><script>var AIAD_fcd45f981d570e35cee941b23edc69c7_6a6805708249b;googletag.cmd.push(function(){var AIMAP_29b58f13885ebf8ea6b032f958eb0748 = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([992, 100], [[970, 90], [970, 250]]).addSize([768, 100], [728, 90]).addSize([320, 100], [320, 50]).build();var AIMAP_737ce075cc05dd766c8f8ea08f3faa73 = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([768, 100], [728, 90]).addSize([320, 100], [320, 50]).build();var AIMAP_21fe3bcfb86a8660aba4e721ee9338f3 = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([1200, 100], [970, 250]).addSize([768, 100], [600, 300]).addSize([320, 100], [300, 250]).build();AIAD_fcd45f981d570e35cee941b23edc69c7_6a6805708249b = googletag.defineSlot('\/987\/satellitetoday.com\/via-satellite-digital-issue-ads', [ [600, 300], [300, 250], [970, 250] ], 'div-gpt-ad-1774631144891- 0-6a6805708249d').defineSizeMapping(AIMAP_21fe3bcfb86a8660aba4e721ee9338f3).setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads());   });<\/script><script>googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1774631144891- 0-6a6805708249d'); });<\/script><\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe key capability is the proliferation, is the fact that we can operate hundreds and hundreds of satellites in a proliferated manner,\u201d Tournear said. \u201cThat is what gives us the resiliency to where now we can handle attrition in a combat scenario where we can start to lose satellites. That changes the whole mission because now you\u2019re not as reliant on a single point failure. But also, that gives you the persistence [to] always have multiple satellites overhead at any given time providing this capability. What actually makes that proliferation possible is the optical mesh network.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Laser communications had other advantages, too, Tournear added, beyond \u201cthe pure amount of bandwidth you can get down on a sunny day.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOne of the things to keep in mind when you compare RF to optical is, how difficult is it? How much lead time does one need to put up a new ground entry point with a high-data rate RF feed in the continental United States? Compare that to how much lead time one would need to be able to put up a telescope to be able to do the same mission [using optical technology], you will find that the amount of paperwork and bureaucracy you have to go through to get the licensing and approvals and the interference mitigation for RF starts to become very problematic. Whereas with optical, that\u2019s a lot easier.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>But the brave new world of OISL also challenges the conventional technical standards employed in networking, noted Hirokazu Mori, chief strategy officer of Warpspace Inc. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen it comes to inter-satellite communication, [the familiar] TCP\/IP [protocol, universally used in internet communications] may not be the most efficient. But there is no ideal almighty protocol, which could be utilized for every means of intersatellite communications \u2014  optical, hyperspectral, or RF,\u201d Mori said. The company is talking with its partners about trying to develop new protocols for OISL.<\/p>\n<p>OISL should look to the terrestrial telecommunications industry as a guide for how to develop and deploy standards that could ensure compatibility, said Altan. Eventually, he added, \u201cI would like to see a fiber cable-based network using the same standards as a free space optical network. I think that\u2019s where we\u2019ve got to go with the standards.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>But Tournear was more cautious. SDA has published a standard for optical communications, and established test beds. \u201cSo, you can build a unit to those standards and you can bring a development unit or an actual flight unit and demonstrate [on the test bed] that you can plug and play and that you\u2019re compatible.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>But Tournear said, \u201cI don\u2019t ever want to try to force that [standard] on anyone because I don\u2019t know that that\u2019s the best standard for everyone to use.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>He said the standard had been developed to be affordable, attainable and to work both in LEO as well as in the air and on the ground. But it isn\u2019t intended to be universal. Rather it is optimized for the affordable mid-range comms network SDA envisaged. \u201cThere\u2019s going to be a lot of other standards and I don\u2019t expect all those standards to be compatible,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p><script>var AIAD_fcd45f981d570e35cee941b23edc69c7_6a68057082cb6;googletag.cmd.push(function(){var AIMAP_29b58f13885ebf8ea6b032f958eb0748 = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([992, 100], [[970, 90], [970, 250]]).addSize([768, 100], [728, 90]).addSize([320, 100], [320, 50]).build();var AIMAP_737ce075cc05dd766c8f8ea08f3faa73 = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([768, 100], [728, 90]).addSize([320, 100], [320, 50]).build();var AIMAP_21fe3bcfb86a8660aba4e721ee9338f3 = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([1200, 100], [970, 250]).addSize([768, 100], [600, 300]).addSize([320, 100], [300, 250]).build();AIAD_fcd45f981d570e35cee941b23edc69c7_6a68057082cb6 = googletag.defineSlot('\/987\/satellitetoday.com\/via-satellite-digital-issue-ads', [ [600, 300], [300, 250], [970, 250] ], 'div-gpt-ad-1774631144891- 0-6a68057082cb7').defineSizeMapping(AIMAP_21fe3bcfb86a8660aba4e721ee9338f3).setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads());   });<\/script><script>googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1774631144891- 0-6a68057082cb7'); });<\/script><\/p>\n<p>For instance, he noted that commercial ISR providers needed OISL that could provide high bandwidth backbone communication. \u201cOur standard is not the best for that. They are not going to use our standard for all of their optical crosslinks.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>Tournear said commercial ISR providers will fly additional \u201ctranslator satellites\u201d with two types of comms terminals to link up as nodes to the SDA network. As long as both are IP-based, the network can be interoperable, he said. <\/p>\n<p>Others are taking a more comprehensive approach, noted Gurvinder Chohan, CEO of Canada-based QSTC Inc. \u201cIn Canada, we have an Optical Satellite Consortium, made up of universities, government agencies, telecommunication companies, and so forth. We are coming up with a subset of standards for at least the Canadian industry. What we are going to do as an industry together and we have developed a technical roadmap for Canada\u2019s future in optical satellite communications. We are going to develop interoperability protocols.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He said the consortium has a memorandum of understanding with Japanese and Australian space agencies to work together on the same protocols for optical satellites. <strong>VS<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>,<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"widget-title\">In This Issue<\/h2>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<!-- post id 449:  \/code\/wp-content\/themes\/ai-beehive\/template-parts\/content\/post-snippet.php --><\/p>\n<figure class=\"overflow-hidden w-100 me-3\">\n<p>\t<img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/9VFm4z7iTBCZxNDSkslQ_Z6C_9354_hire-300x200.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"\" decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/9VFm4z7iTBCZxNDSkslQ_Z6C_9354_hire-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/9VFm4z7iTBCZxNDSkslQ_Z6C_9354_hire-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/9VFm4z7iTBCZxNDSkslQ_Z6C_9354_hire-640x426.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/9VFm4z7iTBCZxNDSkslQ_Z6C_9354_hire.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\">\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"fs-4 w-100 line-clamp-3\">\n<p>\t\t\t\tExploring the Best Practices to Hire and Maintain Diverse Talent in the Satellite Industry<br \/>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<p><!-- .post-snippet --><\/p>\n<hr class=\"my-3 d-block d-md-none\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- post id 447:  \/code\/wp-content\/themes\/ai-beehive\/template-parts\/content\/post-snippet.php --><\/p>\n<figure class=\"overflow-hidden w-100 me-3\">\n<p>\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Ads5KZ83QyOv6aC27iJG_Z6C_9776_Smallsat-300x200.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Ads5KZ83QyOv6aC27iJG_Z6C_9776_Smallsat-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Ads5KZ83QyOv6aC27iJG_Z6C_9776_Smallsat-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Ads5KZ83QyOv6aC27iJG_Z6C_9776_Smallsat-640x426.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Ads5KZ83QyOv6aC27iJG_Z6C_9776_Smallsat.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\">\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"fs-4 w-100 line-clamp-3\">\n<p>\t\t\t\tIndustry Trends Push Smallsats Into Larger Territory<br \/>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<p><!-- .post-snippet --><\/p>\n<hr class=\"my-3\">\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<!-- post id 452:  \/code\/wp-content\/themes\/ai-beehive\/template-parts\/content\/post-snippet.php --><\/p>\n<figure class=\"overflow-hidden w-100 me-3\">\n<p>\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/cTpcYO2CR0W77v4AAAYz_VS_ShowDaily20202220DGTL_Tina-300x225.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/cTpcYO2CR0W77v4AAAYz_VS_ShowDaily20202220DGTL_Tina-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/cTpcYO2CR0W77v4AAAYz_VS_ShowDaily20202220DGTL_Tina-800x599.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/cTpcYO2CR0W77v4AAAYz_VS_ShowDaily20202220DGTL_Tina-640x480.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/cTpcYO2CR0W77v4AAAYz_VS_ShowDaily20202220DGTL_Tina.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\">\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"fs-4 w-100 line-clamp-3\">\n<p>\t\t\t\tMynaric CCO Tina Ghataore and Astroscale\u2019s ELSA-d Mission Win Executive and Technology of the Year Awards<br \/>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<p><!-- .post-snippet --><\/p>\n<hr class=\"my-3 d-block d-md-none\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- post id 446:  \/code\/wp-content\/themes\/ai-beehive\/template-parts\/content\/post-snippet.php --><\/p>\n<figure class=\"overflow-hidden w-100 me-3\">\n<p>\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Ui01Kq7PQLGhSEX9Y82k_Z6C_9328_Operators20Imperium-300x200.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Ui01Kq7PQLGhSEX9Y82k_Z6C_9328_Operators20Imperium-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Ui01Kq7PQLGhSEX9Y82k_Z6C_9328_Operators20Imperium-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Ui01Kq7PQLGhSEX9Y82k_Z6C_9328_Operators20Imperium-640x426.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Ui01Kq7PQLGhSEX9Y82k_Z6C_9328_Operators20Imperium.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\">\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"fs-4 w-100 line-clamp-3\">\n<p>\t\t\t\tSatellite Operators Stake Their Place in the Global Telco Ecosystem<br \/>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<p><!-- .post-snippet --><\/p>\n<hr class=\"my-3\">\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<!-- post id 451:  \/code\/wp-content\/themes\/ai-beehive\/template-parts\/content\/post-snippet.php --><\/p>\n<figure class=\"overflow-hidden w-100 me-3\">\n<p>\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/HH6xsoIAQmyPOx5phy9K_Z6C_9120_Congestion-300x200.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/HH6xsoIAQmyPOx5phy9K_Z6C_9120_Congestion-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/HH6xsoIAQmyPOx5phy9K_Z6C_9120_Congestion-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/HH6xsoIAQmyPOx5phy9K_Z6C_9120_Congestion-640x426.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/HH6xsoIAQmyPOx5phy9K_Z6C_9120_Congestion.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\">\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"fs-4 w-100 line-clamp-3\">\n<p>\t\t\t\tSpace Crowding in LEO is a Challenge, But Improvements in Design and Traffic Management Offer Hope<br \/>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<p><!-- .post-snippet --><\/p>\n<hr class=\"my-3 d-block d-md-none\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- post id 450:  \/code\/wp-content\/themes\/ai-beehive\/template-parts\/content\/post-snippet.php --><\/p>\n<figure class=\"overflow-hidden w-100 me-3\">\n<p>\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/V6gr6WP7RmizUWPlQwUv_JLcSB4smSV2swxJNcwod_VS_ShowDaily20202220DGTL_Image-300x225.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/V6gr6WP7RmizUWPlQwUv_JLcSB4smSV2swxJNcwod_VS_ShowDaily20202220DGTL_Image-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/V6gr6WP7RmizUWPlQwUv_JLcSB4smSV2swxJNcwod_VS_ShowDaily20202220DGTL_Image-800x599.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/V6gr6WP7RmizUWPlQwUv_JLcSB4smSV2swxJNcwod_VS_ShowDaily20202220DGTL_Image-640x480.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/V6gr6WP7RmizUWPlQwUv_JLcSB4smSV2swxJNcwod_VS_ShowDaily20202220DGTL_Image.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\">\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"fs-4 w-100 line-clamp-3\">\n<p>\t\t\t\tWar in Ukraine Highlights Security Concerns for NGSO Satcom<br \/>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<p><!-- .post-snippet --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The high bandwidth inter-satellite data links made possible by laser-based optical communications technology will revolutionize the satellite ecosystem, and enable a new generation of autonomous vehicles in orbit, a SATELLITE 2022 session heard Monday. But those developments might be stymied by the absence of standards. Conventional radio frequency, or RF, communications remains the most reliable [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":55701,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-55699","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55699"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=55699"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55699\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/55701"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=55699"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=55699"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=55699"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}