The TERRA-M is a fraction the size of normal optical ground stations and portable: it is suitable for internet backhaul, bringing mass comms to hard to reach areas and military use
Archangel Lightworks, the laser communications company, completed field trials of the TERRA-M, which it claims is the world’s smallest deployable operational optical ground station. The news was welcomed by Liz Lloyd, the UK’s Space Minister; the trials were funded by the UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory.
Data was securely transferred between the TERRA-M and a satellite in low Earth orbit during a trial lasting serveral days in the Mediterranean region earlier this month. The field trials used the US Space Development Agency’s laser communication standard and were repeated to prove reliability.
The TERRA-M is a fraction of the size of normal optical ground stations with an optical head standing 1.1m tall and 0.7m in diameter. It does not require an external dome, is easily transportable by light vehicle or aircraft, and can be deployed on the roof of a building. TERRA-M units and ground-station-as-a-service contracts are already being delivered to customers.
Laser communications rising
Laser communications to and from satellites are seen as a key component of future space infrastructure, supporting rapidly increasing satellite traffic and providing a high volume, secure alternative to radio-based data transmission. The main applications are expected to be internet backhaul and transfer of Earth observation data, which also support space exploration missions such as Artemis.
The technology has commercial and defence applications, bypassing the physical vulnerabilities of terrestrial and subsea cables. It could also handle high volume satellite communications, helping to close the digital divide. As compute moves into orbit through the use of orbital data centres, optical ground infrastructure will play a growing role in connectivity between networks in space and on the ground.
Rapid and secure
“The TERRA-M is uniquely capable of rapid, secure data transfer with satellites while also being small enough to be deployed and redeployed at the point of need,” said Richard Johanson, CEO of Archangel Lightworks.
“We are on a pathway to providing resilient, large-scale deployable networks of optical ground stations,” added Johanson, “the demand for space-based information and connectivity solutions continues to grow exponentially, and we are pleased that our technology will play a role in this exciting new global communications infrastructure.”
Variety of backers
Archangel Lightworks’ investors include Santander Alternative Investments, National Security Strategic Investment Fund, Blackfinch Ventures, Oxford Capital, Lycka Limited, and Oxford Science Enterprises. The company raised $13.5m (£10m) in an oversubscribed Series A funding round last month, bringing total funding to date to $20m.
Archangel Lightworks is also supported by the UK Space Agency, the UK’s Department of Science and Technology (DSIT) and the UK Ministry of Defence. The company has memoranda of understanding with companies including Starcloud and Omantel, and a number of commercial contracts.
