France has successfully established a stable high-speed laser link between nano satellites in low orbit and a commercial ground-based optical station.
The experiment began in late 2023, with the French Defence Innovation Agency (AID) collaborating with two French companies, Unseenlabs and Cailabs, to launch the Keraunos satellite. The goal was to test high-speed communication based on Cailabs’ innovative technologies.
Simulation of a satellite transmitting data to Earth. (Photo: iStock/Dragon Claws).
The experiment involved establishing a stable laser link within minutes, enabling the tracking of the nano satellite’s movement in low orbit from a ground-based optical station. The successful experiment in the summer of 2024 marks a world first, as reported by Interesting Engineering on September 24. The Keraunos satellite overcame disturbances caused by atmospheric turbulence to achieve optimal transmission quality.
Cailabs’ technology played a significant role in the experiment by creating a reliable and robust ground-based receiver suitable for commercial operation. Unseenlabs’ nano satellites were also crucial, providing the capability to integrate laser equipment within a short timeframe.
The successful experiment paves the way for the use of space laser communication on mobile platforms, whether on the ground, at sea, or in the air. France is also looking to integrate this technology into future satellite systems of the French Ministry of Defence. According to AID France, the benefits of optical link communication over radio link communication include increased speed, enhanced secrecy, and freedom from regulations related to radio spectrum usage.
Earlier this year, NASA also utilized a new laser communication system to send images and videos of pets to the International Space Station (ISS). NASA tested the first end-to-end two-way laser relay system through this experiment. Specifically, they used laser technology to transmit data at a speed of 1.2 gigabits per second, significantly faster than downloading a movie.
Previously, NASA demonstrated the power of laser data transmission during the Psyche mission. Experts transmitted video of an orange cat over a distance of 19 million kilometers using a laser link to the Psyche spacecraft.
