Insider Brief:
- Kepler Communications, Inc., TESAT-Spacecom, and Airbus Defence and Space have entered a partnership to create a high-bandwidth optical communications network in low Earth orbit (LEO).
- The collaboration will provide real-time optical communications solutions, targeting initiatives like the ESA’s High Throughput Optical Network (HydRON)
- Image credit: Kepler Communications
Kepler, TESAT-Spacecom, and Airbus Defence and Space have entered a partnership to create a high-bandwidth optical communications network in low Earth orbit (LEO). Led by Kepler, the strategic collaboration aims to tap into emerging opportunities like the European Space Agency’s (ESA) High Throughput Optical Network (HydRON) program as announced by Kepler.
The partnership will work towards developing terabit-class optical networking in space. Kepler will spearhead spacecraft constellation design, manufacturing, and operation, utilizing its existing technologies within its commercial space segment and ground segment. TESAT will take on space optical and network payload development, while Airbus contributes operational and system engineering expertise, along with access to optical ground stations.
Mina Mitry, CEO and co-founder of Kepler, discussed the alignment between Kepler’s mission and HydRON’s objectives, emphasizing the aim to extend Internet connectivity to space. The collaboration seeks to develop terabit-per-second data relay capabilities in space, enhancing connectivity for European and Canadian forces with minimal latency.
The technology leveraged in this partnership draws from Kepler’s ongoing development of the LEO optical data relay network, The Kepler Network. Meanwhile, TESAT’s experience in laser communications for space, with operational terminals covering significant distances since 2016, adds a valuable dimension to the project.
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