In a significant milestone for the US Space Development Agency (SDA), two SpaceX-built satellites have successfully exchanged data using optical communications terminals, marking the first time the agency has demonstrated laser communications in space using military-standard compliant terminals.
Tesat-Spacecom artist rendering of optical communications in space. Credit: Tesat-Spacecom
The achievement, announced by SDA Director Derek Tournear on September 4, paves the way for the development of a network of hundreds of small satellites aimed at enhancing military communication and surveillance capabilities.
The successful test, conducted on September 3, involved two of four SpaceX satellites equipped with Leidos infrared sensors and Tesat terminals, manufactured by Tesat-Spacecom, a Germany-based subsidiary of Airbus Defense and Space. The satellites established a connection in under 100 seconds and maintained it for several hours.
This breakthrough addresses previous doubts about the ability of SDA satellites to form an optical network in low Earth orbit and marks a crucial step in the agency's Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) program.
The PWSA program aims to create a network of small satellites to enhance military communication and surveillance capabilities. The successful demonstration of laser communications is a key component of this program, enabling the satellites to communicate with each other and with ground-based stations in a secure and efficient manner.
In addition to the laser communications breakthrough, Tournear highlighted a late 2023 demonstration of Link 16 network entry from space, using satellites made by York Space. This test involved transmitting tactical messages from orbit to ground-based receivers, highlighting the potential for enhanced military communications through space-based platforms.
The Tranche 0 deployment, which includes satellites from SpaceX, Lockheed Martin, York Space, and L3Harris, has also demonstrated successful detection of missile launches using infrared sensors, including SpaceX's Starship reentry in June.
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