Netherlands Leads in Laser Satellite Communication with TNO's Latest Compact Terminal Achievement

Netherlands Leads in Laser Satellite Communication with TNO's Latest Compact Terminal Achievement
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jan 30, 2024

In a significant advancement for space communication technology, TNO has reported the successful testing and commissioning of its compact laser satellite communication terminal, CubeCAT. This milestone not only validates TNO's innovative approach in laser technology but also establishes a robust space flight heritage for the technology at the core of FSO Instruments' product lineup.

Laser satellite communication, emerging as a formidable alternative to the traditional radio-frequency communication, offers fast, secure connections between various entities like ground stations, satellites, and unmanned aerial vehicles. The CubeCAT, developed by TNO - the Netherlands organization for applied scientific research - represents a novel implementation of this technology in a compact form.

The successful deployment and operation of CubeCAT were demonstrated on the Norwegian NORSAT-TD spacecraft, launched in April 2023. TNO confirmed the terminal's functionality with a successful communication link established between the satellite and TNO's optical ground station in The Hague, Netherlands. This success under spaceflight conditions marks a substantial leap forward for laser satellite communication technology.

Will Crowcombe, Managing Director at FSO Instruments, expressed enthusiasm over this achievement, highlighting the terminal's compact size of just 10 x 10 x 10 centimeters and a weight of one kilogram. FSO Instruments, benefiting from the expertise of VDL Groep and Demcon in high-tech production equipment, is geared towards commercializing this technology. The focus is on enabling fast optical satellite communication at gigabits per second (Gbps) rate using terminals suitable for small satellites.

Gus van der Feltz, Senior Business Developer at FSO Instruments, emphasized the significance of this development for FSO Instruments' technology. The success of CubeCAT, he noted, directly translates to a space flight heritage for the technology used by FSO Instruments in building optical heads for laser satellite communication. FSO Instruments is collaborating with AAC Clyde Space to ensure the space qualification and manufacturability of commercial versions of CubeCAT.

FSO Instruments' ambition extends to industrializing laser satellite communication technology. This involves making it more accessible and cost-effective while enhancing functionality, as demonstrated by the incorporation of a coarse pointing alignment system. This system increases the flexibility of network connections, paving the way for dynamic optical communication networks in space.

This advancement aligns with the Dutch ambition to become a global leader in the series production of high-quality instruments for laser satellite communication. FSO Instruments is actively setting up a supply chain in and around The Netherlands to support this goal. With several customers already engaging with FSO Instruments, the potential of this technology in global communication networks is rapidly becoming a reality.