The US Department of Defense (DoD) has awarded a new contract to California-based satellite communications company E-Space to demonstrate novel communications capabilities.
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SDA contracts GA-EMS to demonstrate space-to-air optical communication 03 Jun 2021 (Last Updated June 3rd, 2021 16:40)
During the experiment, the LEO-based spacecraft will try to establish communication with an airborne MQ-9 UAV.
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LINCS spacecraft is being prepared for its delivery to Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral. Credit: General Atomics.
General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) has received a contract to demonstrate space-to-air optical communication using its Laser Interconnect and Networking Communication System (LINCS) and a MQ-9 Reaper.
The contract to conduct space-to-air optical communication experiment was awarded by the US Space Development Agency (SDA).
SDA is the US Department of Defense’s (DoD) constructive disruptor for space acquisition.
What focus areas are key to America’s future space capabilities? By: Tate Nurkin
(imaginima/Getty Images) It has been an active start to 2021 for the Department of Defense’s space activities as the Pentagon seeks to build agility, capability and resilience in this increasingly important domain. Increased concentration on space is welcome. However, Pentagon decisions about future priorities, activities and investments should continue to sharpen its focus on the technologies and capabilities required to exploit new architectures and approaches in space. Moreover, as it identifies these critical technologies particularly laser communications but others as well it should prioritize building a robust and resilient domestic American industry to support U.S. activity in a domain that is critical to the future of U.S. military capabilities and national and economic security.
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Theresa Hitchens on March 08, 2021 at 4:51 PM
Laser interlinks for satellites, JAXA image
WASHINGTON: As DoD eyes low-cost satellite constellations to provide resilient communications, a crucial bottleneck has emerged: reliable optical data links both between satellites in space and from space to the ground.
“Think about it, getting a laser beam on a spacecraft to point to a laser receiver on another spacecraft accurately enough with the right power levels, the right waveforms etc.,– it’s not an easy thing,” Nick Bucci, vice president of program development at General Atomics said in an interview. ” And to be able to do that reliably at range is a difficult challenge.”