What is the current information on when we might see a version of the hardware with laser interlinks?
I am under the impression that laser inter-satellite communication is a relatively mature technology. I.E. already commercially available. The only challenge is to make the mirrors out of something that will burn up on re-entry. Is making that kind of mirror really a major challenge, or is there some other reason for the delay?
Quote from: Roy_H on 01/26/2020 01:13 amI am under the impression that laser inter-satellite communication is a relatively mature technology. I.E. already commercially available. The only challenge is to make the mirrors out of something that will burn up on re-entry. Is making that kind of mirror really a major challenge, or is there some other reason for the delay?Mature technology? Please name a few satellites currently using laser inter-satellite relays.
Quote from: Roy_H on 01/26/2020 01:13 amI am under the impression that laser inter-satellite communication is a relatively mature technology. I.E. already commercially available. The only challenge is to make the mirrors out of something that will burn up on re-entry. Is making that kind of mirror really a major challenge, or is there some other reason for the delay?Can you tell me where they are in use currently? I was under the impression that RF-Interlinks were mature, but lasers are cutting edge in this application. I know of no setup where you have hundreds of objects flying at 27.5Km/hr all trying to focus lasers at each other and transmit data. P2P lasers are available commercially..but they sure ain't the smallest or lightest thing...that's for sure.
Quote from: ulm_atms on 01/26/2020 01:31 amQuote from: Roy_H on 01/26/2020 01:13 amI am under the impression that laser inter-satellite communication is a relatively mature technology. I.E. already commercially available. The only challenge is to make the mirrors out of something that will burn up on re-entry. Is making that kind of mirror really a major challenge, or is there some other reason for the delay?Can you tell me where they are in use currently? I was under the impression that RF-Interlinks were mature, but lasers are cutting edge in this application. I know of no setup where you have hundreds of objects flying at 27.5Km/hr all trying to focus lasers at each other and transmit data. P2P lasers are available commercially..but they sure ain't the smallest or lightest thing...that's for sure.It can be done. I can see how to do it. I don't have the time to detail how. It's rather involved when the platform is light weight.
Quote from: Eka on 01/26/2020 08:36 pmQuote from: ulm_atms on 01/26/2020 01:31 amQuote from: Roy_H on 01/26/2020 01:13 amI am under the impression that laser inter-satellite communication is a relatively mature technology. I.E. already commercially available. The only challenge is to make the mirrors out of something that will burn up on re-entry. Is making that kind of mirror really a major challenge, or is there some other reason for the delay?Can you tell me where they are in use currently? I was under the impression that RF-Interlinks were mature, but lasers are cutting edge in this application. I know of no setup where you have hundreds of objects flying at 27.5Km/hr all trying to focus lasers at each other and transmit data. P2P lasers are available commercially..but they sure ain't the smallest or lightest thing...that's for sure.It can be done. I can see how to do it. I don't have the time to detail how. It's rather involved when the platform is light weight.As I was sitting here specifying the requirements for a fast slew pan tilt telescope style system, I figured out a method that is massively better, and has no moving parts that require repeated flexing of flexible couplings for power or signals, and the remaining moving parts are much much lighter. It also incorporates a system that allows slop in assembly, and deployment alignment, yet still provides high accuracy fine tuned aiming to lock onto the other satellite. Also, the only flex electrical coupling only flexes at deployment. It's a bit complex for a text description.
beside SpaceDataGateway (EDRS +sentinels) lasercom is used by ICEYE sats.The thing is laser communications are good as relay stations only if you have enough sats close enough to make relay when needed and not when possible. you need something like Starlink constellation....
Optical inter-satellite communication based on TESAT Laser Communication Terminals (LCT's) is operational by now on LEO satellites for more than two years. The LCT's demonstrate their performance in LEO-LEO inter-satellite links (ISL)
Quote from: dondar on 01/30/2020 01:05 pmbeside SpaceDataGateway (EDRS +sentinels) lasercom is used by ICEYE sats.The thing is laser communications are good as relay stations only if you have enough sats close enough to make relay when needed and not when possible. you need something like Starlink constellation....A test sat that included an ICEYE payload also was testing a laser downlink payload (doesn't seem to be ISL) from Bridgesat. Do any other ICEYE sats have optical communications?
https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/5680175QuoteOptical inter-satellite communication based on TESAT Laser Communication Terminals (LCT's) is operational by now on LEO satellites for more than two years. The LCT's demonstrate their performance in LEO-LEO inter-satellite links (ISL)
I keep wanting to ask, but I forget. How does the starlink test satellite designed to reduce the albedo feel (did I understand correctly that it has a matte surface?)
🛰 albedo will drop significantly on almost every successive launch
When are you going to add laser links for comms? Is that even necessary for starting to offer service later this year?
Direct links aren’t needed to offer service. Starlink will initially bounce signals off ground/ocean relays to get from 🛰 to 🛰.
