. 24/7 Space News .
TECH SPACE
UK Space Agency funds further research into new laser-based satellite communications system
by Staff Writers
Newcastle upon Tyne UK (SPX) Nov 15, 2021

Artists impression of laser-based communication between satellites

The UK Space Agency has awarded almost Pounds 650,000 to Northumbria University to continue world-leading work to develop the first commercially available laser-based inter-satellite communications system.

Currently satellites use radio frequency to transmit data, but this is limited in terms of speed, capacity and data security. However, researchers at Northumbria University are working to develop a new laser-based communications system for small satellites, known as CubeSats, which has the potential to transform the satellite communications industry.

By using lasers instead of radio frequency, the CubeSats become much more secure and can transmit 1,000 times more data per second.

The University was awarded Pounds 360,000 last year to run the discovery phase of the project. This further funding - which brings the total amount awarded to more than Pounds 1 million - will enable the research team to build and test their laser system over the next 12 months.

Northumbria University is leading the research, working in partnership with Durham University's Centre for Advanced Instrumentation, Gateshead-based satellite communications technology company e2E Group and telecoms and electronics manufacturing company SMS Electronics Limited, based in Nottingham.

They plan to piece together three CubeSats - making a device roughly the same size as a shoe-box - to hold the new laser communication system. This poses a significant challenge as it requires technologies normally used on much larger scales to be redesigned and redeveloped to fit into this much smaller device and withstand the atmospheric conditions in space.

Their ultimate aim is to develop an off-the-shelf product for major global organisations and telecoms providers which can be sent into orbit easily and cheaply and which will improve data transfer in space. It will also improve real-time satellite monitoring of environmental issues on Earth, enabling climate scientists to see high-resolution images and even live-streaming of remote areas.

It is hoped that the first devices will be ready for extensive testing in early 2023, with a goal to set them into orbit by 2025.

The UK Space Agency announced the award of almost Pounds 7 million of funding through its National Space Innovation Programme. Northumbria is one of eleven leading UK organisations, including a mixture of businesses and just three other universities - Cambridge, Edinburgh and the Open University - to have been awarded a share of the funding to put into action the latest advances in space innovation.

The majority of the projects focus on climate change or environmental management, but Northumbria's is the only project relating to satellite communications to receive funding, giving recognition to the world-leading work being carried out in the North-East region around satellite communications technologies.

Dr Eamon Scullion, a solar physicist in Northumbria's Solar-Terrestrial Science research group, is leading the project. He said: "We are absolutely delighted to have secured this funding to further our research. This award will enable us to move to the next phase of our plans, where we can put our ideas into practice to build and test our designs.

"This is no mean feat. We need to carefully design, test and miniaturise electronic boards, optical lasers, receivers and transmitters which can fit together in the satellites and be 'space qualified', meaning they will be tested to ensure they continue to work at an optimal level whilst in orbit, dealing with the impact of radiation, atmospheric drag and extremely cold space temperatures."

Cyril Bourgenot, technology development lead at Durham University's Centre for Advanced Instrumentation added: "This new technology will enable communication between satellites at an unprecedented speed. The challenge, in this project, is to fit all this cutting-edge technology in only three CubeSat units, basically the size of a whisky bottle box."

Professor Louise Bracken, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research at Northumbria University, said: "The Government recently launched the National Space Strategy, which outlines its long-term plans to grow the UK space sector and satellite communications are a key element of this.

"Our Solar-Terrestrial Science research group has grown in recent years and is becoming one of Northumbria's distinctive areas of research excellence, with a growing influence and recognition from major research funders and business partners.

"It is especially pleasing to see that Northumbria's work in this area being recognised as so innovative, more so given the importance the government has placed on investing in satellite communications over the coming decade."

Science Minister George Freeman said the awards would help the UK put into action the latest advances in space innovation.

"Satellites in space are helping us solve some of the most significant challenges we face," he said. "Through the National Space Strategy we are putting the UK at the forefront of unleashing these innovations. This new funding will take game-changing ideas from the UK space sector and our brilliant scientists and turn them into reality."


Related Links
Northumbria University
Durham University's Centre for Advanced Instrumentation,
SMS Electronics Limited
Space Technology News - Applications and Research


Thanks for being there;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5+ Billed Monthly


paypal only
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal


TECH SPACE
Getting NASA data to the ground with lasers
Greenbelt MD (SPX) Oct 28, 2021
NASA launches satellites, rovers, and orbiters to investigate humanity's place in the Milky Way. When these missions reach their destinations, their science instruments capture images, videos, and valuable insights about the cosmos. Communications infrastructure in space and on the ground enables the data collected by these missions to reach Earth. Without ground stations to receive it, the extraordinary data captured by these missions would be stuck in space, unable to reach scientists and researchers ... read more

Comment using your Disqus, Facebook, Google or Twitter login.



Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

TECH SPACE
NASA Administrator Statement on Russian ASAT Test

Matthias Maurer arrives at the International Space Station

SpaceX capsule with crew of four docks with ISS

Orbital Assembly Corporation promote space hotels in LEO for investment

TECH SPACE
Rocket Lab to acquire space hardware company Planetary Systems Corporation

SpaceX deploys 53 Starlink internet satellites from Falcon 9 rocket

Rocket Lab appoints Andrew Bunker as VP Government Operations and Business Strategy

Webb's Ariane 5 core stage made ready

TECH SPACE
Curiosity powers on with extra energy for Martian science

Docking the Perseverance robotic arm

Astronaut training in the land of volcanoes

China's Mars orbiter enters remote-sensing orbit

TECH SPACE
Chinese astronauts' EVAs to help extend mechanical arm

Astronaut becomes first Chinese woman to spacewalk

Shenzhou XIII crew ready for first spacewalk

Chinese astronauts arrive at space station for longest mission

TECH SPACE
Groundbreaking Iridium Certus 100 Service Launches with Partner Products for Land, Sea, Air and Industrial IoT

European software-defined satellite starts service

iRocket And Turion Space ink agreement for 10 launches to low earth orbit

OneWeb and Leonardo DRS announce partnership to offer low earth orbit services for Pentagon

TECH SPACE
US slams Russia for 'irresponsible' space missile test

Astroscale launches Docking Plate to capture defunct satellites

Astronauts shelter in space capsules as debris comes close to ISS

LeoLabs Australia's Space Tracking Centre releases first images of Russian space debris field

TECH SPACE
Circumbinary planet discovered by TESS validates new detection technique

Tread lightly: 'Eggshell planets' possible around other stars

Hunting for alien planets

Major endorsement for new space mission to find 'Earth 2.0'

TECH SPACE
Science results offer first 3D view of Jupiter's atmosphere

Juno peers deep into Jupiter's colorful belts and zones

Scientists find strange black 'superionic ice' that could exist inside other planets

Jupiter's Great Red Spot is deeper than thought, shaped like lens









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.