SpaceX’s satellites, equipped with Tesat terminals, have achieved the first laser data exchange for the U.S. military, marking a significant milestone in defense communications.
At a Glance
- Two SpaceX-built satellites successfully exchanged data using optical communications terminals.
- This milestone was achieved for the U.S. Space Development Agency (SDA).
- The satellites are part of SDA’s Tranche 0 experimental spacecraft in low Earth orbit.
- Laser communication technology offers lower latency and higher bandwidth for rapid response in military operations.
Landmark Achievement for Military Communications
Two SpaceX-built satellites successfully exchanged data using optical communications terminals, marking a significant achievement for the U.S. Space Development Agency (SDA). This laser data exchange milestone, achieved in early September, represents a significant advancement over traditional radio frequency systems.
SpaceX satellites with Tesat terminals achieve first laser data exchange for U.S. military
The satellites, part of SDA’s Tranche 0 experimental spacecraft in low Earth orbit, utilized laser terminals manufactured by Tesat-Spacecom for the communication. This is the first demonstration of laser communications in space using optical terminals compliant with military standards required for SDA satellites.
Technical Details and Importance
The data exchange occurred on September 3, with the connection established in under 100 seconds and maintained for several hours. The test involved two of four SpaceX satellites equipped with both Leidos infrared sensors and Tesat terminals. Tesat-Spacecom, a subsidiary of Airbus Defense and Space, has expanded its U.S. presence to support growing demand for optical communication technologies from SDA.
“They were able to demonstrate that they could, in fact, do the laser communication. They maintained the link, they acquired the link. The requirement in our optical comm standard is that it takes you less than 100 seconds to acquire a link during pointing, acquisition, and timing, with a stretch goal of less than 10 seconds. They were well under the 100 seconds, but they were over the 10 seconds, and they maintained that link for several hours.” – Derek Tournear
https://breakingdefense.com/2024/09/sda-demos-laser-links-crucial-for-future-satcom-missile-tracking-network/
This demonstration addressed doubts about the SDA satellites’ ability to form an optical network in low Earth orbit. The laser communications test is crucial for SDA’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) program, which aims to create a network of hundreds of small satellites to enhance military communication and surveillance.
Future Implementation and Plans
The demonstration was the final success in a trifecta of baseline technical challenges for SDA. Previous milestones included testing the 19 Tranche 0 Transport Layer satellites for low latency, high-bandwidth communications using the Link 16 data link and proving the ability to track missiles from low Earth orbit. The Link 16 demo was successfully conducted in Australia and on a US Navy aircraft carrier.
“To date, we had not demonstrated laser communication, to be able to do that and form that network — that’s what I was prepared to come in here and say. But last night, we actually demonstrated it.” – Derek Tournear
The SDA plans to launch its next set of Transport Layer and Tracking Layer satellites, Tranche 1, around the end of the calendar year. SDA is also in talks with commercial vendors like SpaceX and Amazon to integrate their constellations into the network, further advancing the potential for secure, high-speed laser communications in defense operations.
Sources:
1. SpaceX satellites with Tesat terminals achieve first laser data exchange for U.S. military
2. SDA demos laser links crucial for future SATCOM, missile tracking network
