TheIncLab’s Post

After demonstrating 100 Gbps optical links between its prototype satellites, Project Kuiper will include laser links on every satellite in its constellation to form a mesh network in space. Since the successful launch and deployment of two prototype satellites in October 2023, Project Kuiper has been conducting extensive testing of its end-to-end communications payload and network. In November, we confirmed we had validated all priority systems and subsystems within 30 days of launch, and we shared a first look at demos over the Kuiper network. One critical system that was part of that testing—but has remained confidential until now—was our optical inter-satellite link (OISL) capabilities. Our prototype satellites, KuiperSat-1 and KuiperSat-2, include advanced optical communications payloads. We have completed multiple successful demonstrations of that next-generation technology, maintaining 100 gigabits per second (Gbps) links over a distance of nearly 621 miles (1,000 kilometers) for the entire test window. These tests validated the final component of Project Kuiper’s advanced communications architecture, and the results ensure that OISLs will be operational on our first production satellites, slated for launch in the first half of 2024. “With optical inter-satellite links across our satellite constellation, Project Kuiper will effectively operate as a mesh network in space,” said Rajeev Badyal, Project Kuiper's vice president of technology. “This system is designed fully in-house to optimize for speed, cost, and reliability, and the entire architecture has worked flawlessly from the very start. These immediate results are only possible because we approached our OISL architecture as one part of a fully integrated system design, and it’s a testament to this team’s willingness to invent on behalf of customers. We’re excited to be able to support these next-generation OISL capabilities on every Kuiper satellite from day one.” #Amazon #ProjectKuiper #OpticalMeshNetwork

#WeConnectInSpace 🛰️⚡️🛰️ successfully for many years and for #interoperability #tests - to make sure that other #OCT terminals, which are going to join us in the #SDA #constellation in the future can talk to our TESAT #OpticalCommunicationTerminals we connect 🤝 on ground 🌎 - if needed 😉 #TeamTESAT

The magnetorquer is a critical component of satellite attitude control, widely used in low, medium, high, and orbit satellites. It plays a significant role in rescuing runaway satellites and can be integrated into satellites using PCB technology. Flexible circuit boards offer greater reliability and adaptability for electronic systems in space. Cubesat magnetorquer PCBs are becoming more widespread, playing an important role in high-density modular magnetorquer for micro and nano satellites.#flywheels #magnetorquer #PCB #satelliteattitudecontrol #spacetechnology

Are we ready to respond to incidents in #space? 🛰 What about incidents on the moon or beyond? My latest article in SpaceNews looks at the omission of space from #nsm22 in a novel way. The reason we need a new model of #criticalinfrastructure for space is to drive our incident response and #resilience. Read here ⬇ ⬇ ⬇ https://lnkd.in/dtUcj7qc

Businesses are using space tech to solve problems in construction, the built environment and infrastructure – but what is it and how are they doing it? Have a read of our latest guide where Ken Gordon European Space Agency - ESA Business Ambassador offers insights into how using space tech in the sector isn't as out of this world as it seems. Read here ▶️ https://lnkd.in/epS5DPmA

Proliferated constellations of low-earth-orbit satellites are the backbone of future satellite communication architectures.

While the old satellite design required each satellite to have two pairs of analog beam-forming antennas, he said only a single pair of digital antennas would be required to deliver Telesat’s capacity target. He said this enables the satellites to be smaller while enabling the same amount of performance for the constellation, around 10 terabits per second (Tbps) of capacity. The design life for each satellite also remains unchanged at 11 years. https://lnkd.in/gUiv2nbx

The high aspect ratio satellite design is an interesting example of a combination between functionality, design and business. All applied to the space sector. The use of "flat shaped" design allows for a redistribution of a satellite volume in a way that it increases some surfaces. This can be a game changer for certain use cases such as SAR EO or telecommunications where these surfaces can be used to enhance and extend the payload functionalities. As it could be seen from Spacex's Starlink satellites, a flat shape also allows the stacked launch and deployment of multiple satellites, thus contributing to reaching the critical constellation size that allows the generation of revenue. In their latest press release Terran Orbital Corporation announced the further development of their Enterprise flat satellite bus, thus confirming the trend. At Initium Space Consulting we are close to the end of our own flat satellite-related project, a feasibility study performed for the European Space Agency - ESA lead by SpaceTec Partners and with the great contribution of Reflex Aerospace. https://lnkd.in/gEYs2NHr

"The purpose of the ASCEND study was to compare the environmental impacts of space-based and Earth-based data centers. It was also intended to validate the technological feasibility of developing, deploying and operating such centers in orbit. In order to significantly reduce the CO2 emissions generated by the processing and storage of digital, the results of the study estimate that such space infrastructures would require the development of a launcher ten times less emissive over its entire lifecycle. Moreover, space data centers would not require water to cool them, a key advantage in times of increasing drought." #spacetech #spacedatacenters #spacecomputing

Optical communications, i.e. lasers, are the network pipes for the Internet of Space A new constellation with laser comms and compatibility with the Space Development Agency's Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture is now taking shape