France’s Defense Innovation Agency (AID) and the small French company Cailabs have made a significant advancement by establishing high-speed optical satellite communication between a nano-satellite in low Earth orbit and a commercial optical ground station, an achievement they claim is a world first.
In a statement released by the French Defense Ministry on September 10, this initiative aligns with the goals outlined in the 2024-2030 military programming law, emphasizing France’s commitment to enhancing its military capabilities in space.
As governments increasingly explore satellite laser communications, there is a growing interest in bolstering the resilience of internet infrastructure against potential cyber threats, especially those targeting the subsea cables that facilitate most transatlantic internet traffic. Laser communications allow for the transmission of larger data volumes in shorter timeframes, both between satellites and from satellites to ground stations.
Jean-Francois Morizur, co-founder and CEO of Cailabs, highlighted in a telephone interview with Breaking Defense that while others have demonstrated the feasibility of laser links between satellites and ground stations, Cailabs is offering a tangible product that is commercially available. Morizur disclosed that Cailabs has sold at least seven of these ground stations to various countries, including South Korea, Australia, Greece, France, and the United States, either directly to governments or through companies serving them.
The Cailabs ground station, encased in a white dome approximately four meters in diameter, features a large external telescope. Morizur explained that the innovation lies in the treatment of light once it enters the telescope.
Meanwhile, the laser communication terminal aboard the nano-satellite, developed by another French startup, Unseenlabs, is also a readily available product that adheres to interoperability standards established by the US Space Development Agency.
Launched at the end of 2023, the French experiment began with the Keraunos satellite, aiming to test high-speed optical communications using technology developed by Cailabs. AID funded the Keraunos project with €5.5 million ($6.1 million), which also involved Unseenlabs, based in Rennes, western France.
The team successfully established a stable laser link for several minutes, allowing them to track the nano-satellite in low Earth orbit and receive data transmitted from it. The Defense Ministry noted that the optical link offers advantages over traditional radio links, including superior speed, discretion, and freedom from radio wave regulation. While atmospheric turbulence can sometimes affect the optical link, the Keraunos satellite is designed to mitigate these disruptions to ensure optimal transmission quality. The modern and agile design of Unseenlabs’ nano-satellites facilitates the rapid integration of the laser communication terminal, catering to the swift pace of the „New Space” industry, which refers to the expanding ecosystem of private space firms producing innovative solutions.
The successful outcomes of the Keraunos project pave the way for utilizing space-based laser communications across mobile, terrestrial, naval, and airborne platforms. This system may be integrated into future satellite systems of the Ministry of Defense. Jonathan Galic, co-founder and director of new technologies at Unseenlabs, stated that this achievement underscores the company’s ability to quickly launch a complex, functional system. The synergy between their satellites and Cailabs’ optical innovations ushers in a new era of faster and more secure communications.
