The U.S. Space Force is set to launch a groundbreaking test of laser communication technology aboard a GPS satellite, marking a significant advancement in space communication systems.
The initiative involves the GPS III SV-10 satellite, crafted by aerospace leader Lockheed Martin. Although currently stored pending launch approval, the satellite is equipped with an optical communications terminal from Tesat-Spacecom, a German aerospace firm. This terminal is slated to transmit data from about 12,000 miles above Earth to ground stations, representing a major technological leap.
According to Malik Musawwir, Lockheed Martin Space’s vice president for navigation systems, this project is critical to enhancing GPS infrastructure. The results of this test will guide future upgrades for the next-gen GPS IIIF constellation. The SCOT80 terminal technology has already found application in various low Earth orbit satellites, such as those from Kepler Communications and the Space Development Agency’s military satellites.
Colonel Andrew Menschner, who commands the Space Force’s Mission Delta 31, highlights the test’s primary goal: to validate optical communication’s capabilities at the operational altitude of GPS satellites. The long-term vision, Menshner explains, includes implementing optical crosslinks to enable more efficient constellation updates, with the ability to broadcast from a single point across multiple satellites.
The shift from traditional radio-frequency to laser-based communication could revolutionize data speed and security, with laser technology offering substantial improvements in both areas. The GPS system, originally designed for military use, is now pivotal to countless civilian sectors, and this test holds the promise of broad enhancements.
The U.S. Space Force’s exploratory endeavor with laser communication technology on the GPS III SV-10 satellite embodies a strategic move towards modernizing global positioning systems. Success in this test could herald a new era of faster and more secure data transmission, not only bolstering military capabilities but also enhancing civilian applications worldwide.
Source: Spacenews
