Tag: Laser Communications
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From Imaging to Intelligence: How Smart Remote-Sensing Satellites Are Changing the Market
Several smart remote-sensing satellites have recently been launched in China and other countries, entering a rapidly expanding applications market and attracting growing industry attention. But what does it mean for a remote-sensing satellite to become “smart”? What benefits could onboard intelligence provide, and how might it help satellite operators reach new markets and deliver services…
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Space-Based Optical Communications Move From Flight Demonstrations to Operational Networks
Space-based optical communications are moving from experimental missions toward operational deployment as satellite operators seek higher-capacity alternatives to congested radio-frequency links. An industry assessment published September 20 said space-qualified laser terminals are now supporting data rates of up to 10 gigabits per second in orbital applications, while standardized optical inter-satellite links are becoming part of…
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Seven Chinese Private Companies Building the Optical Backbone for Satellite Networks
China’s commercial space sector is moving satellite laser communications from isolated technology demonstrations toward multi-satellite networking and batch production. Recent milestones include a 400Gbps intersatellite transmission, 11 optical links connecting a 12-satellite space-computing cluster, and a bidirectional gigabit-class laser link between the ground and a geostationary satellite more than 40,000 kilometers away. Laser communications can…
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Behind a Funding Round of More Than RMB 500 Million: How Far Has China’s Space Laser Communications Industry Come?
HiStarlink recently announced the completion of a Series A2 funding round worth more than RMB 500 million, bringing its total financing this year to over RMB 700 million. Since the beginning of 2026, the laser communications sector has recorded at least one financing event every month except May. HiStarlink, Laser Link, Laser Starcom and other…
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i-Space’s Xie Hongjun: Why Is a Rocket Company Moving Into Space Computing?
In 2026, space computing emerged as an important new frontier in commercial space. What problems is it intended to solve, and where is the industry heading? Hello Space has launched its Space Computing Interview Series, speaking with leading Chinese players to examine the real progress being made in this emerging sector. Our guest in this…
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China Achieves First Two-Way High-Speed Earth-Moon Laser Communications
China has achieved two-way high-speed laser communications between Earth and the Moon for the first time, establishing a bidirectional optical link across more than 400,000 kilometers and marking a major expansion of the country’s space laser communications capabilities into cislunar space. The Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization of the Chinese Academy of Sciences…
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Austria Taps R-Space to Build Its Second Military Satellite
Does Austria Have a Military Space Strategy? Austria’s Ministry of Defence has selected homegrown startup R-Space as prime contractor for the country’s second military satellite, expected to launch in 2027. The mission, called Aurora, is designed to demonstrate two next-generation capabilities in a single platform: space-to-ground laser communications and quantum encryption technology. According to R-Space…
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Capella Space Validates First Optical Communications Terminal on Acadia-10 Satellite
Capella Space has successfully validated its first optical communications terminal (OCT) aboard the Acadia-10 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite, marking the company’s first deployment of laser communications technology in orbit. The milestone follows the launch of Acadia-10 in March and coincides with the release of the satellite’s first SAR imagery. Faster Data Transmission Capella said…
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This former hacker saw the light—and now wants to collect all of it
BLUEMONT, Va.—From an overlook in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Dan Roelker gazed across the green splendor of the Shenandoah Valley. With the pleasant spring afternoon drawing toward evening, the Sun lazily crossed the sky, casting light all around. The pleasing environs had put Roelker, who was drinking rye whiskey procured from a…
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Muon Space Unveils Condor-Ultra Satellite Platform for Orbital Data Center Applications
Muon Space has introduced Condor-Ultra, a new high-power satellite platform designed to support emerging orbital computing, networking and space infrastructure applications. The platform expands the company’s Condor family of spacecraft, which already includes the Condor-M and Condor-XL satellite platforms. Designed for High-Power Space Missions Condor-Ultra is designed to deliver significantly more power than Muon Space’s…